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To make Chinese almond cookies, you cream butter and sugar, beat in an egg and almond extract, then fold in flour, baking soda, and ground almonds until a soft dough forms.
You roll the dough into balls, press an almond into each one, and bake until the edges turn golden.
That’s the whole magic of these little cookies—simple ingredients, a nutty crunch, and that unmistakable almond flavor in every bite.
If you’ve been wondering how to make Chinese almond cookies at home that taste just like the ones from the bakery, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make Chinese almond cookies step by step, the ingredients that matter most, and the little tricks that keep them crisp and tender.
Let’s get baking.
How to Make Chinese Almond Cookies: The Recipe Basics
Learning how to make Chinese almond cookies starts with understanding what goes into them.
The recipe is refreshingly short, and that’s part of why these cookies are such a joy to make at home.
1. The Core Ingredients
To make Chinese almond cookies, you’ll need all-purpose flour, softened butter, sugar, one egg, baking soda, almond extract, and ground almonds.
Whole blanched almonds go on top of each cookie as the classic finishing touch.
Almond extract is what gives these cookies their signature aroma, so don’t skip it.
2. Why Ground Almonds Matter
Ground almonds bring moisture and a delicate nutty flavor to the dough.
When you make Chinese almond cookies with ground almonds, the texture becomes tender and slightly sandy in the best way.
You can grind whole almonds yourself in a food processor or buy almond flour for convenience.
3. The Right Butter Temperature
Softened butter creams smoothly with sugar and traps air, which helps the cookies bake up light.
If your butter is too cold, the dough will be lumpy, and if it’s melted, the cookies will spread too much.
Room temperature butter is the sweet spot when you make Chinese almond cookies.
How to Make Chinese Almond Cookies Step by Step
Now let’s talk about how to make Chinese almond cookies from start to finish.
The process is straightforward, and the whole batch comes together in under an hour.
1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about three minutes.
This step builds the base for tender Chinese almond cookies, so give it the full time.
2. Add the Egg and Almond Extract
Beat in the egg and a teaspoon of almond extract until everything is smooth.
The extract is what makes homemade Chinese almond cookies smell like a bakery the moment they hit the oven.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground almonds together in a separate bowl.
Add the dry mix to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
Overmixing makes the cookies tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears.
4. Shape and Press the Almonds
Roll the dough into one-inch balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
Press a whole almond into the center of each cookie.
This classic topping is part of what makes Chinese almond cookies instantly recognizable.
5. Bake Until Golden
Bake at 350°F for about twelve to fifteen minutes, until the edges are golden.
Let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a rack.
They crisp up as they cool, which is exactly how Chinese almond cookies should be.
Tips for the Best Chinese Almond Cookies
Want to nail how to make Chinese almond cookies like a pro?
Keep these tips in mind.
1. Chill the Dough If It’s Soft
If the dough feels sticky, chill it for twenty minutes before shaping.
This keeps the cookies from spreading too thin in the oven.
2. Don’t Overbake
Pull the cookies out when the edges are golden, even if the centers look slightly soft.
They continue to set as they cool, and this is the secret to crisp Chinese almond cookies.
3. Store Them Properly
Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
They stay crunchy and that almond flavor only deepens with time.
So, How Do You Make Chinese Almond Cookies?
You make Chinese almond cookies by creaming butter and sugar, adding egg and almond extract, folding in flour and ground almonds, shaping the dough, topping each cookie with a whole almond, and baking until golden.
The recipe is simple, but the result is that familiar nutty, buttery cookie you know and love.
Now that you know how to make Chinese almond cookies at home, the next step is yours—preheat that oven and get baking.