Chinese Almond Cookies

• 2 14 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 12 teaspoon salt
• 14 cup slivered almonds, finely chopped
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 34 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 48 whole blanched almonds
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water

1. Preheat the oven to 350F, and mix the first four ingredients - the flour, baking powder, salt and chopped slivered almonds - in a medium-sized bowl.
2. With an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy; add the egg and almond extract and beat until the ingredients are all well-combined.
3. Reduce the electric mixer speed to low and blend in the flour mixture.
4. Roll the dough into 11/4-inch balls, and place the balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
5. Flatten the balls slightly and press an almond into the centre of each cookie.
6. Whisk the egg yolk and water together in a cup and lightly brush over the cookies.
7. Bake the cookies for 11-15 minutes, until just set, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
8. Notes: If you prefer, in step four, use several slivered almonds instead of the blanched whole almonds.

flour, baking powder, salt, slivered almonds, unsalted butter, sugar, egg, almond, almonds, egg yolk, water

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/chinese-almond-cookies-137444 (may not work)