Twin Dragon Almond Cookies

These Twin Dragon Almond Cookies are a classic treat that combines the rich, nutty flavor of blanched almonds with a tender, crumbly texture. Made with lard for a traditional shortbread-like consistency, they offer a delightful crunch on the outside and a soft interior. The subtle hint of almond extract elevates the natural sweetness of the granulated sugar. Perfect for holiday gatherings, tea time, or as a thoughtful homemade gift, these cookies are easy to prepare with simple pantry staples. Their unique presentation, featuring a whole almond pressed into the center, makes them as visually appealing as they are delicious.

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: Global

Courses: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 48

Calories: 4139.1

Dietary: Vegetarian

Description

These Twin Dragon Almond Cookies are a classic treat that combines the rich, nutty flavor of blanched almonds with a tender, crumbly texture. Made with lard for a traditional shortbread-like consistency, they offer a delightful crunch on the outside and a soft interior. The subtle hint of almond extract elevates the natural sweetness of the granulated sugar. Perfect for holiday gatherings, tea time, or as a thoughtful homemade gift, these cookies are easy to prepare with simple pantry staples. Their unique presentation, featuring a whole almond pressed into the center, makes them as visually appealing as they are delicious.

Ingredients

3 cup All-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Almonds -- blanched
1 cup Granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup Lard
1 teaspoon Almond extract
1 Egg Beaten
1/8 cup Water

Directions

1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3
Place 1/2 cup of the blanched almonds in a blender or food processor. Pulse until finely ground into a powder. Add the almond powder to the flour mixture and stir to combine.
4
In a large bowl, cream together the granulated sugar, lard, almond extract, beaten egg, and water until smooth and well blended.
5
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
6
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7
Press one of the remaining whole blanched almonds into the center of each cookie ball, flattening the cookie slightly with your fingers.
8
Lightly brush the top of each cookie with a little beaten egg (reserve any leftover egg from the ingredients list or use a small amount of additional egg wash).
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
10
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 48

Amount Per Serving
Calories 4139.1kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 246.2g379%
Saturated Fat 76.2g381%
Cholesterol 93.2mg32%
Sodium 4915.1mg205%
Total Carbohydrate 420.1g141%
Dietary Fiber 24.7g99%
Sugars 126.7g
Protein 64.7g130%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Substitution: If you prefer not to use lard, you can substitute with an equal amount of unsalted butter or vegetable shortening, though the texture may vary slightly.

Tip: Ensure the almonds are blanched and dry before grinding to prevent the almond powder from becoming clumpy.

Variation: For a sweeter finish, you can sprinkle a little extra granulated sugar over the cookies before baking.

Keywords: almond, almonds, baking, cookies, dessert, dragon, flour, lard, nutty, shortbread, sweet, treat, traditional, twin, crunchy, holiday, snack, gift, tea, easy

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/twin-dragon-almond-cookies/