almond cookies (dim sum variety)

ingredients

• servings: 48
• red food coloring
• 1 cup vegetable shortening, plus
• 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

recipe

preparation time: 20 mins cook time: 15 mins ready time: 35 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). pour a few drops of red food coloring into a small bowl, and set aside.
• with an electric mixer, beat the shortening together with the sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy. beat in the egg and almond extract.
• in another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. stir the flour mixture into the sugar-shortening mixture, and mix well. scoop up a scant tablespoon of dough with a spoon, and form into a walnut-sized ball. place the ball an ungreased cookie sheet, and press the ball slightly with your thumb to create a flat spot on top (don't flatten the cookie). dip the end of a bamboo chopstick into the red food coloring, and touch the center of each cookie to make a red dot.
• bake in the preheated oven until slightly browned, 15 to 18 minutes. cool on a rack.