Chinese Almond Cookies:

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4 cups almond flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup almonds (slivered or sliced)
• 1 large egg white

Directions

1. 1

   Sift together the flour, sugar, and baking soda.

2. 2

   Put the almond flour, butter, and salt into a second bowl and mix until the mixture resembles cornmeal, about 3 minutes if using food procesor with paddle attachment on medium speed.

3. 3

   Add the egg and almond extract and mix until well-incorporated.

4. 4

   Add the flour mixture. Mix just until no traces of flour remain.

5. 5

   Transfer the dough to a large sheet of plastic wrap, flatten into a 1-inch thick disc, cover tightly, and refrigerate until hard, at least 30 minutes.

6. 6

   Preheat the oven to 325°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

7. 7

   Form the dough into 1/2-inch balls and put on the baking sheets 1 inch apart. Use the palm of your hand to press the balls into 1-inch circles. Press slivered almonds into each cookie, decoratively arranging them.

8. 8

   Brush the tops of the cookies with the egg white, then bake until golden and crisp around the edges, 15 minutes.

9. 9

   Cool completely on the cookie sheet and serve or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.