Vanillekipferl
German Vanilla Crescents
Delicate, melt-in-your-mouth German vanilla crescent cookies, a beloved Christmas tradition. These buttery, almond-infused cookies are lightly sweetened and dusted with vanilla sugar.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g All-purpose flour(Sifted for a finer texture.)
- 100 g Ground almonds(Finely ground almonds provide richness and a tender crumb.)
- 200 g Unsalted butter(Cold and cut into small cubes for easier incorporation.)
- 80 g Powdered sugar(For the dough, contributing to tenderness and sweetness.)
- for dusting Vanilla sugar(Traditionally used for dusting. If unavailable, mix 1/4 cup powdered sugar with 1 tsp vanilla extract and let dry slightly, or use store-bought vanilla sugar.)
- 1 pinch Optional: Pinch of salt(Enhances the overall flavor.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, ground almonds, and optional pinch of salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and the powdered sugar. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, quickly cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with no large pieces of butter remaining. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can make the cookies tough.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Form and chill the dough: Gently bring the dough together with your hands to form a cohesive ball. Do not knead. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and flatten it into a disk. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to handle. This chilling step is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
⏱️ 60 minutes (chilling) - 3
Preheat oven and shape the crescents: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap the chilled dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch (0.5 cm) thickness. Using a cookie cutter (or by hand), cut out crescent shapes or roll small portions of dough into logs and gently curve them into crescents. Place the shaped cookies about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 4
Bake the cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are just set. They should not be deeply colored. Watch them closely as they can brown quickly.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 5
Coat with vanilla sugar: While the cookies are still warm (but not hot enough to crumble), carefully transfer them to a plate or shallow bowl filled with vanilla sugar. Gently roll each cookie to coat it evenly. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. The residual warmth will help the sugar adhere.
⏱️ 10 minutes (while warm)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Do not overbake the Vanillekipferl; they should remain pale with only slightly golden edges to ensure a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- ✓Rolling the cookies in vanilla sugar while they are still warm is key for the sugar to adhere properly.
- ✓These cookies are a classic German and Austrian Christmas treat, perfect for holiday cookie platters.
- ✓Ensure your butter is very cold when making the dough for the best texture.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Substitute half of the ground almonds with finely ground hazelnuts for a nutty variation.
- For a more intense vanilla flavor, add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the dough along with the butter and powdered sugar.