Chinese Tea Cookies From Hawaii Food

CHINESE ALMOND COOKIES

Steps:

• Sift the all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking soda and salt together into a large bowl. Whisk any bits of almond flour left in the sifter into the sifted flour mixture.
• Combine the butter and sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the almond extract and 1 egg yolk and beat until the mixture is smooth and combined, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Reduce the speed to medium low, add the flour mixture and beat until no streaks of flour remain, about 2 minutes.
• Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• When ready to bake, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Whisk together the remaining egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Scoop the dough by tablespoons (you can use a 1/2-ounce ice cream scoop) and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Roll each scoop into a ball and return it to the baking sheet. Flatten each with your palm into a 2-inch round. Gently press an almond onto each and brush with the egg wash.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until the cookies are golden brown on the edges, 16 to 18 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 10 minutes.
• Store the cookies in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

ALMOND COOKIES (DIM SUM VARIETY)

Steps:

• 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 onto 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.

HAWAIIAN TEA COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine dry ingredients and set aside.
• Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in eggs, lemon juice and vanilla.
• Add flour and coconut until well blended.
• Shape into (4) 2 inch rolls.
• Roll in colored sugar.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours.
• With a sharp knife, saw into 1/4 inch slices.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 10- 12 minutes, or until SLIGHTLY browned.

OLD-FASHIONED TEA COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually add flour. Roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; flatten slightly with fingers. , Bake until edges are golden brown, 17-20 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

TROPICAL HAWAIIAN SNOWBALLS (HAWAIIAN-STYLE RUSSIAN TEA COOKIES)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 5 cookie sheets with parchment paper, or spray with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and vanilla and coconut extracts.
• Sift together the flour and the salt.
• Slowly add to the butter mixture.
• Add nuts. Mix until blended well.
• Roll into small, bite sized balls. (about 3/4 of an ounce or 2 tablespoons). I like to use a small #40 portion disher (small, 3/4 ounce sized, ice cream scoop) and place 1-inch apart on prepared cookie sheet.
• Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until slightly golden.
• While still warm, (not hot, not cold) roll through powdered sugar.
• Keeps about a week (but they won't be around that long) in an air-tight container.

HAWAIIAN WEDDING CAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream the butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour and mix well. Stir in nuts and pineapple. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. , Bake at 350° for 14-16 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Roll cooled cookies in additional confectioners' sugar.