Chinese Almond Cookies
Chinese almond cookies are a classic, crisp, and buttery shortbread-style cookie, often found in Chinese bakeries and served during celebrations like Lunar New Year. They are typically made with flour, sugar, lard or butter, and are topped with a single almond or almond extract for flavor, giving them their signature nutty aroma and slightly crumbly texture.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
These cookies are primarily a source of carbohydrates and fats, with minimal protein. A single cookie (about 15-20 grams) provides roughly 80-100 calories, along with small amounts of iron and calcium from the almond topping.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbs | 24 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
| Calcium | 20 mg |
| Iron | 1.2 mg |
| Potassium | 40 mg |
| Magnesium | 10 mg |
| Phosphorus | 30 mg |
| Vitamin E | 1.5 mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.05 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.4 mg |
Per 2 cookies (40 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, these cookies are a staple in Chinese-American bakeries and are often associated with good fortune and celebration. Nutritionally, the almond on top not only adds flavor but also provides a small boost of healthy fats and vitamin E, contrasting with the cookie's otherwise simple, indulgent profile.
