Almond Cookies (CNY)

You will find this easy-to-make cookie in every chinese household during the Lunar New Year festivities.  This cookie is a must-bake cookie!  Besides its crunchy texture, they can be very addictive.  You will never stop after eating one piece!  Don't say that I didn't warn you!  Instead of butter, I added corn oil in my recipe.  The dough mixture may seem crumbly in the beginning but don't worry.  Just try to lump a little dough in your hand.  If it is still crumbly, add a little more oil and knead again.

Ingredients (yields about 66 pieces):
160 g ground almonds
130 g fine sugar
200 g plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
150 ml oil (sunflower or corn)

2 egg yolks (to be beaten) for glazing

Method:
Sieve flour, bicarbonate of soda, and baking powder into a mixing bowl.  Add ground almonds, salt and fine sugar.  By using the kneading hook, knead mixture while at the same time, add the oil slowly.  Knead to a cohesive dough i.e. the mixture can be lumped together instead of crumbling apart.

Take a portion (about 9 g) of dough and form into a ball.  Arrange on a baking tray which is lined with baking powder.  Repeat until dough is used up.

Glaze the dough balls with beaten egg yolks.

Bake in a preheated fan oven at a temperature of 180° C for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Once done, remove from oven and leave to cool down completely before storing in an airtight container.

Happy Baking!