Twin Dragon Almond Cookies

Charmed's Note:

I found this copycat recipe on the web and it's one of my all-time favorite cookie recipes. I don't know how many times I've made it. I use a cookie scoop so they come out nice and even, and they just look so nice on a platter. And they taste even better! I like the fact that unlike most almond cookie recipes I've found, this one contains ground almonds in the dough. Depending on the size of the cookies, this recipe makes from 24-40 cookies. I usually make them into 3/4" inch balls instead of 1-inch, which result in about 40 cookies. I've written 30 cookies in the yield as an average.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 30

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup blanched whole almond, divided (see note, with skin)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups lard (I use vegetable shortening)
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 large eggs, divided

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Use ungreased cookie sheets In a bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and salt.
3. In a blender, grind 1/2 cup of the almonds to a fine powder (see note); add the ground almonds to the flour mixture.
4. In another large bowl, cream the sugar, lard (or vegetable shortening), almond extract, one egg (lightly beaten), and the water; add to the dry mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. Form the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the cookie sheets, 2-inches apart.
6. Press one of the remaining whole almonds into the center of each ball, while flattening the cookie slightly with your fingers.
7. Beat the remaining egg well and with a pastry brush, brush each cookie lightly with the beaten egg.
8. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cookies are lightly brown around edges.
9. Wait a minute or two before removing from the cookie sheets to cool on a rack.
10. NOTES: If making smaller cookies you might need more whole almonds.
11. Also, if you can get pre-ground almonds (which I can at a lower price than whole), you will need 3/4 cup of the ground almonds.
12. Also, I don't like using lard, and have always substituted vegetable shortening with excellent results.

Reviews

[adopt a greyhound]

I made half a recipe but thought it needed more of the almond flavor. Will try adding more extract.

[Chef #165217]

This recipe was created by Todd Wilbur for his book "Top Secret Recipes" (Penguin/Putnam 1993) and www.TopSecretRecipes.com

[Cookin' Swimmer]

My father described these as "the best almond cookies I've ever had" and I agree with him. I made way more than 40...mine made around 60. I like them smaller, because they're crispier. The first time I followed the recipe exactly, and they were really good. The second time I used 3/4 cup chopped, and halved the almonds for the top and they were even better! Yummy