Chinese Restaurant Almond Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 F.

With an electric mixer, cream butter, shortening, sugar and grated almond paste together in a large bowl. Add orange zest (if using), almond extract, vanilla and the egg, and blend well. Set aside.

In a separate smaller bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda and salt, then gently stir it into the rest of the batter.

Scoop dough by rounded spoonfuls onto parchment paper or Silpat covered baking sheets.

Combine water and egg white in a small bowl. Brush tops of the cookies with a little of the egg white/water mixture. Sprinkle with some extra sugar, then flatten gently using the bottom of a drinking glass or your fingers. Press a few slivered almonds, or a whole almond, into the center of each cookie.

Bake for 10-11 minutes, or just until edges begin to turn light golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.

Makes about 24-30 cookies.

Note: Adapted from a recipe on Allrecipes.com.