Description
Delightful almond crescent cookies bring Austrian holiday magic to winter baking. Powdered sugar dusts these delicate pastries, inviting you to savor their rich, nutty charm with a warm cup of coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (230 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) finely ground almonds (almond meal)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie placement and easy removal.
- Create Butter Base: Cream softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, incorporating vanilla extract for enhanced flavor profile.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, ground almonds, and salt in a separate bowl, ensuring a uniform mixture with consistent texture and no lumps.
- Form Dough: Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing on low speed to create a cohesive dough that holds its shape without crumbling.
- Shape Crescents: Roll small portions of dough into slender logs, carefully curving each piece to form elegant crescent shapes with smooth, consistent curves.
- Bake and Monitor: Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets with slight separation, then bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown.
- Cool and Finish: Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack. Generously dust with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for an elegant, snow-like coating.
- Serve: Let cookies cool completely to room temperature, optionally adding a final light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving to enhance visual appeal and sweetness.
Notes
- Manage Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened but not melted, creating the perfect creamy base for tender, delicate cookies that hold their shape beautifully.
- Control Dough Consistency: Mix dry ingredients gently to prevent overworking, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of the desired delicate, crumbly texture.
- Precise Shaping Technique: Roll dough into uniform logs and curve gently, maintaining consistent size to ensure even baking and professional-looking crescents.
- Strategic Powdered Sugar Application: Dust cookies while still warm for better sugar adherence, and use a light touch to create an elegant, not overwhelmingly sweet finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 151
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 52 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg