Chinese almond cookies, also called almond biscuits or almond cakes. Likewise, they make these cookies with almond flour with an almond in the middle on top of the cookies. Commonly found in Chinese bakeries in Hong Kong, Macau and China. As well as in Chinese bakeries or even Asian groceries stores all over the world. Moreover, they believe that Chinese almond cookies are an adaptation from Chinese walnut cookies. They typically eat these cookies during Chinese New Year. Alternative, they give them as gifts to family and friends. In order for them to celebrate the festive seasons with these cookies to bring good luck.
Gluten Free Chinese Almond Cookies
For my gluten free Chinese almond cookies recipe. I am using almond meal (also called almond flour), desiccated coconut and Chinese dried almonds for the almond cookies. This recipe is not only gluten free. But also paleo, vegan, low carb, refined sugar free, dairy free, egg free, corn free and soy free.
You may like to try some of my vegan and gluten free Chinese New Year cookies recipes. Peanuts Cookies, Cashew Nuts Cookies, Walnut Cookies, Dragon Cookies, Daisy Custard Butter Cookies and Cacao Dahlia butter Cookies.
Nutritional Values and Health Benefits of Almonds
Many people have well recognized the health benefits of almond for many centuries. In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners use almonds as anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Almonds are an excellent source of biotin (vitamin B7 or vitamin H), L-carnitine and vitamin E. They are also a good source of manganese, copper, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and phosphorus. Plus magnesium, fiber and molybdenum (a key mineral nutrient).
Possible health benefits related to consumption of almonds may comprise the following:
- Lower bad cholesterol;
- Decrease risks of colon cancer and cardiovascular diseases;
- Help build strong teeth and bones;
- Aid in weight loss;
- Reduce the rise in blood sugar and insulin levels after each meal; and
- Promote a healthy central nervous system and prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond meal (also called almond flour)
- 30 g desiccated coconut
- â…“ cup coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Paleo Friendly Baking Powder:
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix and combine the baking soda and cream of tartar and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine and mix all the wet ingredients.
- In a large bowl, whisk all the dry ingredients and the paleo friendly baking powder together.
- Then add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Preheat fan-forced oven to 160C or 320F. Position the oven rack in the lower third of your oven.
- Using your hands squeeze some dough together and form a 1 inch ball, repeat until you have used up all the dough.
- Place each cookie dough 2 inches apart, onto baking trays lined with baking paper.
- Press each Chinese dry almond or blanched almond gently onto the center of each cookie dough.
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking trays for 5 to 10 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, store in an air-tight container.
they’re so cute! nice photographs.
Thank you for stopping by and for your nice comments 🙂
These sound delicious. They would be a tasty alternative to the traditional Chrismas pudding or fruit cake in my household.
Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. Yes, these cookies are indeed a healthier alternative to all the traditional Christmas desserts. Enjoy 🙂