Chinese Restaurant Almond Cookies

First time on the internet! From "The Infinite Feast: How to Host the Ones You Love—Recipes from the Big Easy . . . and Beyond" by Brian Theis, 2020 Click here for more on my best-selling cookbook!

Chinese Restaurant Almond Cookies

Makes 30 cookies

2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup lard or shortening, room temperature, in 1/2-inch pieces

1 large egg

1 teaspoon almond extract

30 whole toasted almonds

1 egg white and 1 teaspoon water whisked together

Heat oven to 350°F.

In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt. Add lard, egg, almond extract to dry ingredients. With hands, work mixture till dough forms.

On two ungreased cookie sheets, place 1-inch balls of dough 2 inches apart. Press an almond into top of each, flattening each ball slightly. Brush tops of cookies with egg white and water glaze. Bake 12 to 15 minutes till slightly browned. Cool on wire racks.