Chinese Almond Cookies

My friend Kim made these fabulous cookies for the cookie swap. They are way better than any Chinese restaurant’s almond cookies and prettier too!

Chinese Almond Cookies
From: Blue Diamond Almond bag

½ cup whole natural almonds
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
½ cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup sugar
½ tsp. almond extract
1 Tbsp. gin, vodka, or water

Reserve 36 whole almonds; finely chop or grind remainder. Sift flour with baking powder and salt. Thoroughly cream butter with sugar. Stir in all remaining ingredients except whole almonds. Form dough into 36 balls. Place on greased cookie sheets. Press a whole almond into center of each ball. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 3 dozen*.

* Actually, this amount makes more like 30 or so.*