Chinese Almond Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon milk
32 -35 blanched whole almonds (use enough whole almonds for each cookie)
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Preparation

Set oven to 325 degrees.
In a large bowl with a mixer at medium speed beat butter and sugar until creamy (about 4 minutes).
Add in whole egg and almond extract and beat until well blended.
In a small bowl mix together flour and baking powder; add to the creamed mixture and mix until combined.
Shape the dough into about 1-inch balls, then flatten slightly with hands.
Place on a large buttered baking sheet.
In a small bowl beat the egg yolk with milk until blended; brush the cookies with the egg mixture (discard any remaining mixture).
Press 1 whole almond in the center of each cookie then sprinkle with about 1/8 teaspoon sesame seeds.
Bake for about 15-18 minutes.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets then use a spatula to transfer to racks to cool completely.