Rich & Buttery Almond Shortbread: Perfect for Lunar New Year Gifts
Lunar New Year Baking Special: Almond Shortbread – A Delightful Tea Treat or Thoughtful Gift
As the Lunar New Year approaches, why not delight your loved ones with a homemade gift? Introducing ‘Almond Shortbread,’ a recipe that perfectly balances buttery richness with the delightful crunch of almonds. Its crisp yet tender texture pairs wonderfully with tea or coffee, and beautifully packaged, it makes an excellent present for the holiday.
Dough Ingredients- 140g all-purpose flour
- 50g sugar
- 120g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 50g ground almonds
Almond Filling- 120g almond slices
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 4 Tbsp heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or honey)
- 20g unsalted butter
- 120g almond slices
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 4 Tbsp heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or honey)
- 20g unsalted butter
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the dough. In a bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth. Then, add the sugar and whisk together until well combined and creamy.
Step 2
Sift the ground almonds and all-purpose flour into the butter mixture. Gently mix with a spatula or scraper until just combined and no dry flour is visible. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the shortbread tough. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it, and chill in the refrigerator for a while.
Step 3
Now, we’ll make the crunchy and sweet almond filling. In a small saucepan, combine the 2 Tbsp sugar, 4 Tbsp heavy cream, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, and 20g unsalted butter. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-low heat. Once it starts bubbling around the edges, reduce the heat to low. Add the almond slices and stir continuously with a spatula, allowing it to thicken like a glaze. This creates a rich filling.
Step 4
Line your prepared shortbread tin (a square pan works great too!) with the chilled dough, pressing it thinly. Spread the almond filling evenly over the dough. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes. If the top starts browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning, and continue baking until golden brown and cooked through. Enjoy your delicious, golden-brown almond shortbread!
