We've all had that last minute panic when you realise it's your friend's birthday tomorrow: you're broke and you need a quick and easy gift to make that still shows you care (and that you absolutely DID NOT forget their birthday up until a few hours ago). This almond cookie recipe fits the bill perfectly - tasty, cute, homemade and can be whipped up in less than an hour. As long as you package it up right, no one will be able to tell that this was a last minute, panic bake (hopefully)!

Easy Almond Cookies

  • Prep Time:40 mins
  • Cook Time:20 mins
  • Total Time:1 hr
  • Servings:16
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup plain/cake flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 2 drops almond essence or vanilla essence if you don't want an overly almond taste
  • Whole almonds for decoration
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  • Step 1

    Cream the softened butter and sugar together in a bowl until the mixture is well combined and pale.

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  • Step 2

    Add the vanilla extract and the egg and mix.

  • Step 3

    Sift in the flour and baking soda and mix well. The mixture will start to thicken and form a dough.

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  • Step 4

    Grasp the mixture together in your hands and form into a ball of dough. Cover it in clingfilm/plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for 30 mins.

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  • Step 5

    Preheat the oven to 325° F (or 165° C) and line a baking tray with baking paper or foil.

  • Step 6

    Divide the dough into small sections and roll each section into small balls (about the size of a table tennis ball). Put the dough balls onto the baking tray, spaced evenly apart.

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  • Step 7

    Place a whole almond on top of each ball and press down to flatten the dough slightly.

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  • Step 8

    Place the tray in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cookies are golden brown/browned to your liking.

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