Sift flour and baking powder together into a bowl.
Cream butter in a mixing bowl. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolk, brandy, and vanilla; beat until very light. Stir in almonds.
Gradually blend in flour mixture until a soft, smooth dough forms. Cover and chill until dough can easily be handled, about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (170 degrees C).
Shape level tablespoonfuls of chilled dough into crescents and place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Insert a whole clove into the center of each crescent.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden, 25 to 30 minutes, switching racks halfway through; do not brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheets.
Dust generously with confectioners' sugar.