Cornulețe (Romanian Jam Crescents)
Cornulețe are traditional Romanian crescent-shaped cookies, often filled with fruit jam, walnuts, or Turkish delight. They are buttery, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth, perfect for holidays and special occasions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 1.375 cups Butter(1 stick plus 6 tablespoons, cold and cubed)
- 6.5 tablespoons Sour cream
- 4 large Egg yolks
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 0.25 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Plum jam or other fruit jam(thick consistency)
- 1 cup Powdered sugar(for dusting)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-sized butter chunks.
- 2
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, egg yolks, and vanilla extract.
- 3
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- 4
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
- 5
Prepare the filling: If your jam is too thin, you can thicken it slightly by simmering it with a tablespoon of cornstarch. Ensure it's a spreadable consistency.
- 6
Shape the cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into two portions. Roll out one portion on a lightly floured surface into a circle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the circle into 8 equal wedges, like a pizza.
- 7
Place about 1-2 teaspoons of jam at the base of each wedge. Roll up the dough from the base to the tip, forming a crescent shape. Seal the edges well.
- 8
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- 9
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- 10
Dust generously with powdered sugar once cooled.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using cold butter is key to a flaky dough.
- ✓Ensure the jam filling is thick enough so it doesn't leak out during baking.
- ✓Don't overbake, as these cookies can become hard.
🔄 Variations
- Fill with a mixture of finely chopped walnuts and sugar.
- Use Turkish delight or a combination of jam and nuts.