Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cashew Nut Cookies (Chinese New Year) Recipe
Introduction
These Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cashew Nut Cookies are a perfect treat for Chinese New Year or any special occasion. Crispy yet tender, with a rich nutty flavor and a delicate sweetness, they are sure to impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 125 gr roasted cashew nuts (unsalted)
- 55 gr icing sugar
- 125 gr all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt (omit if using salted cashew nuts)
- 65 gr cooking oil (plus more as needed)
- 20 whole cashew nuts (split into half for decoration)
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast the cashew nuts on a dry pan over low-medium heat for about 5 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Let cool completely.
- Step 2: Carefully split the whole cashew nuts in half along the natural line for decorating the cookies later.
- Step 3: Finely chop the toasted cashew nuts using a food processor by pulsing a few times until they are finely chopped but not powdery.
- Step 4: Preheat the oven to 340°F (170°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 5: In a large bowl, whisk together icing sugar, flour, and salt. Add the chopped cashew nuts, then gradually add cooking oil until a smooth, non-sticky dough forms. You may need a bit more oil than called for—add it slowly to get the right texture.
- Step 6: Pinch off about 10-12 grams of dough and roll into smooth round balls. Press one half cashew nut onto the top of each ball. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spaced close but not touching.
- Step 7: Brush the cookies gently with egg yolk for a golden finish.
- Step 8: Bake on the middle rack for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Adjust time if cookies are larger.
- Step 9: Let cookies cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- If using salted cashew nuts, omit the added salt to balance the flavor.
- For a richer taste, substitute half the cooking oil with melted butter.
- Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm spice note.
- If you prefer larger cookies, adjust baking time accordingly and handle dough in bigger portions.
Storage
Once fully cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container or cookie jar. They keep well at room temperature for several weeks. To refresh, warm them slightly in a low oven before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use raw cashew nuts instead of roasted?
Yes, but you should toast raw cashew nuts yourself to develop flavor and aroma before chopping and mixing into the dough.
Why is the dough oily?
The cooking oil binds the ingredients and helps create the crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Adding oil gradually ensures the dough isn’t too sticky or dry.
Print
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cashew Nut Cookies (Chinese New Year) Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 30 small cookies 1x
Description
These melt-in-your-mouth cashew nut cookies are a delightful treat perfect for Chinese New Year celebrations. Made with finely chopped roasted cashew nuts and a smooth, non-sticky dough, these small, buttery cookies have a delicate crumb and a nutty aroma. Topped with halved whole cashew nuts for a charming presentation, they are baked to a golden perfection and can be stored for weeks, making them an ideal festive snack or gift.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 125 gr roasted cashew nuts (unsalted)
- 55 gr icing sugar
- 125 gr all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt (omit if using salted cashew nuts)
Wet Ingredients
- 65 gr cooking oil (plus more as needed)
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
For Decoration
- 20 whole cashew nuts, split into halves
Instructions
- Toast the cashew nuts: If your cashew nuts are not already roasted, place them in a dry pan over low to medium heat. Toast them for about 5 minutes until you smell a wonderful nutty aroma, making sure not to burn them. Remove from the heat and let them cool completely.
- Prepare cashew nut halves for decoration: Split the whole cashew nuts along their natural line into halves. Set aside these halves to decorate the cookies later.
- Chop the toasted cashew nuts: Add the cooled roasted cashew nuts into a food processor and pulse several times until finely chopped but not powdered.
- Make the cookie dough: Preheat your oven to 340°F (170°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the icing sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Add the chopped cashew nuts and gradually pour in the cooking oil, mixing continuously until a smooth, non-sticky dough forms. You may need to add slightly more oil than the recipe calls for to achieve the right texture.
- Shape and decorate the cookies: Pinch off about 10-12 grams of dough and roll it into a small smooth ball. Press one cashew nut half gently on top of each ball as decoration. Repeat this for all dough pieces. Arrange the cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between them as they do not spread significantly during baking.
- Apply egg wash and bake: Brush the tops of the cookies lightly with the egg yolk wash. Bake the cookies on the middle rack in the preheated oven for around 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown. If you make larger cookies, adjust the baking time accordingly to ensure even baking.
- Cool the cookies: After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store properly: Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container or cookie jar. They can be kept fresh for several weeks at room temperature.
Notes
- If using salted cashew nuts, omit the added salt in the recipe.
- You may need to adjust the amount of cooking oil slightly to form a smooth dough that is not sticky.
- The cookies are traditionally small, but you can increase their size; remember to adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Ensure the cashew nuts are completely cooled before processing to avoid oily dough.
- Use parchment paper on the baking tray for easy cookie removal and cleanup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: cashew nut cookies, Chinese New Year, nutty cookies, festive cookies, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, baked cookies, homemade cookies
