April 9th is National Chinese Almond Cookie Day #ChineseAlmondCookieDay is a wonderful day to celebrate because it allows us to celebrate Chinese Almond Cookies which I don’t believe I’ve ever had and I’m not sure Charlie or David have either. If David gets off in time today I may see if I can find a Bakery that sell’s Chinese Almond Cookies for us to try. Would you like one or two or even three. We all know calories shouldn’t count today should they? Not only that its so pretty outside we could go for a walk.
Did you know Almonds and good luck come calling on National Chinese Almond Cookie Day? Chinese Almond Cookies, sometimes have special designs and, other times, the Cookies are plain. Chinese Almond Cookies are also known as Chinese Almond Moon Cakes. The Cookies are traditionally made during Chinese New Year when they are believed to bring good luck to households.
You can get special designs on your Moon Cakes by pressing the dough into a mold. But not having any designs on your Cookies does not make them any less tasty. While it is unclear when exactly Chinese Almond Cookies were brought to the American shores, there are no mentions of the Cookies before the 1800s or the 1900s.
Chinese Almond Cookies do not appear to have a set origin date or place. Some sources say Chinese Almond Cookies have been adapted from the Chinese Walnut Cookies, which were invented in the 16th Century during the Ming Dynasty. At first, Walnut Cookies were considered a royal dish, however, as the years went by and the recipe was released to the public, the Cookies were so popular and loved by everyone that they became quite common around the area. People adored the Cookie so much that they considered it the National Cookie.
Chinese Almond Cookies, which are native to Southern- and Southeastern China, were introduced in the U.S. after the first wave of Chinese immigrants came to the Country. Like Fortune Cookies and other popular Chinese dishes, Chinese Almond Cookies also became much desired by the masses. The Cookie is made with a mixture of Almond and Mung Powder. Chinese Almond Cookies also has an Almond sliver in the middle, and it is believed that good luck comes from this piece of the Cookie.
Chinese Almond Cookies can be found in many Chinese restaurants and hotels. Due to its plain and subtly sweet taste, Chinese Almond Cookies are served as a palate cleanser after a meal of rich spices and flavors. Chinese Almond Cookies can be found being sold in food stalls in Macao and Hong Kong. There are also several flavors of Almond Cookies, some with cultural twists. The Chinese Almond Cookie has a Turkish cousin called ‘acıbadem kurabiyesi,’ meaning bitter Almond Cookie. No matter the type, Chinese Almond Cookies are enjoyed by many all over the world.
Lets’ CELEBRATE NATIONAL CHINESE ALMOND COOKIE DAY’
- Today is the day to eat Chinese Almond Cookies which means supporting our local Chinese bakeries and restaurants.
- Today is the day to get into the kitchen and prepare Chinese Almond Cookies which Charlie can prepare in his Homeschool Cooking Class. Would you like to make Cookies with us?
- China possesses a rich cultural history and heritage and there are many myths and legends associated with the Country. It comes as no surprise that something as simple as an Almond Cookie will also have mystical elements attached to it.
FACTS ABOUT COOKIES
- Cookies were accidentally invented by Persians in the seventh century when bakers were testing oven temperatures by dropping small amounts of Cake batter into them.
- ‘The word, ‘Cookie,’ is derived from the Dutch’s ‘koekjes,’ which means ‘little Cakes.’
- I have a question for you. Did you know English women used to eat Gingerbread Cookies to find good husbands.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL CHINESE ALMOND COOKIE DAY
- China is a vast Country with many mystical legends and China’s history spans the whole of Asia and the country’s food items are windows to bygone eras. The Chinese Almond Cookie is just one example and by celebrating the holiday dedicated to it, we are opening diverse doors to amazing cultures and traditions.
- From the lands of the U.S. of A to Turkish shores and Middle Eastern Countries, the Almond Cookie has quite an impressive amount of traveling stamps on its recipe passport. The Chinese Almond Cookie has cultural variations from all over the world.
Recipe for Chinese Almond Cookie Day
PREP TIME 20 mins
COOK TIME15 mins
DOUGH CHILLING 2 hrs
TOTAL TIME 2 hrs 35 mins
SERVINGS 60 servings
Cook time is for each batch of cookies. If you’re baking one sheet of cookies at a time, it will take you an hour to get through all the dough.
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups almond flour, lightly packed
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
- Pinch kosher salt
- 2 large eggs, divided
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Thinly sliced almonds, for decoration
Directions:
- Place the almond flour, salt, and butter into an electric mixer with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. The mixture will become coarse and chunky looking.
- Add one of the eggs and the almond extract: and mix them in on low speed until just incorporated.
- Sift the flour, sugar, and baking soda and add to the mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined.
- Take the dough and flatten it into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator for two hours to chill.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg.
- Take pieces of dough and roll them into balls about 3/4 inch wide. Place them on the sheet about an inch apart and then press them down slightly with your palm to make a coin shape.
- Press one silvered almond into the center of each cookie. Then, using a pastry brush or your finger, paint each cookie with the egg. (This will give the cookie a lacquered appearance once it bakes).
- Bake at 325°F for 13 to 15 minutes, until the edges just begin to tan. Cool on the sheet on a wire rack.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
