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    Home » Cookies » Almond Crescent Cookies

    Almond Crescent Cookies

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    Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar on top. The best part? They’re quick and easy to make in 40 minutes.

    These almond crescents are also known as Vanillekipferl — a popular Austrian or German Christmas cookie that is perfect for your holiday baking list, cookie exchanges, or wrapped up as gifts. Although they’re popular during Christmas, there is no reason not to make these tea cookies all year long.

    Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com

    Why You'll Love these Almond Crescent Cookies

    • They’re a traditional holiday cookie. Almond crescent cookies have long been a Christmastime favorite in several European countries before coming to America, where they’ve cemented themselves as a classic holiday treat. It’s the perfect cookie to add to a Holiday Cookie Box. They are also known as Kourabiedes in Greek or Vanillekipferl in German.
    • Delicate and crunchy. These almond cookies have an addictingly light crispness to them that makes them irresistible. Once you try these almond crescents, you’ll crave them all season long.
    • Sweet and buttery almond flavor. The two most pronounced flavors in this recipe are the butter and almond extract, which pair together nicely to create these delightful almond crescents.
    • Quick and easy. These almond crescents take just 40 minutes to make with just 7 simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at the grocery store or online.
    Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredient Notes

    To make these simple Almond Crescent Cookies, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

    • butter - unsalted butter works best in this recipe (not salted butter), otherwise the cookies will be overly salty.
    • sugar - you can use a granulated sugar substitute if you prefer, like coconut sugar or date sugar.
    • vanilla extract - use the same amount of vanilla bean paste for a slight flavor boost.
    • almond extract - if you don’t have almond extract on hand, use the same amount of almond liqueur or a different nut extract in its place.
    • all-purpose flour - you can use a measure-for-measure gluten free flour to make this recipe friendlier to those with celiac or gluten intolerance.
    • almond flour - you can use ground blanched almonds if you can’t find almond flour — the texture might be slightly more grainy but the taste will be the same.
    • confectioners’ sugar - you can swap the confectioners’ sugar for an equal amount of any powdered sugar substitute like powdered Swerve, powdered stevia, or monk fruit powder.
    Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com

    Baking Tools Needed

    You will also need the following baking tools and equipment:

    • measuring cups and spoons
    • mixing bowls
    • hand mixer or stand mixer
    • cookie scoop
    • half sheet baking pan and silicone baking mat (or parchment paper)
    • sifter or fine mesh sieve
    • wire cooling rack

    How to Make the Best Almond Crescent Cookies

    1. Cream butter and sugar. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer cream together butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
    2. Add wet ingredients. Then, add vanilla and almond extract, and beat on low until incorporated.
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Add dry ingredients. Add flour and almond flour and beat until combined. The dough will be quite crumbly and dry at first but will become smooth as it is combined and forms into a dough.
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Shape cookies. Line a large half sheet baking pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out 1 tablespoon of cookie dough. Use your hands to roll it into a 1-inch ball. Then use your hands to shape it into a crescent (half-moon) shape.
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Bake. Place the crescents onto the lined baking sheet, spaced about an inch apart. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until light golden brown.
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Cool and dust. Allow the cookies to cool in the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then use a sifter (or fine mesh sieve) to dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar on top. Carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Dust on more confectioners’ sugar as needed.
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    • Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Serve

    These almond crescents pair beautifully with a hot beverage like a decadent hot chocolate or a piping hot mug of earl grey or English breakfast tea. Some of our favorites to serve with this are:

    • Peppermint Hot Chocolate
    • White Hot Chocolate
    • Non-Alcoholic Eggnog
    • Slow Cooker Apple Cider
    • Golden Milk Turmeric Latte

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Try a glaze instead. Not a fan of the powdered sugar dusting? Try making a glaze instead with powdered sugar and a few tablespoons of water or milk for a similar flavor with a different texture! Just drizzle some over top of the almond cookies.
    • Customize the flavor. Though these cookies are traditionally almond flavored, you can easily customize them to your tastes by changing the type of extract used or by adding citrus zest, a drizzle of melted chocolate, cocoa powder, or other similar ingredients.
    • Dip in chocolate. Instead of confectioners’ sugar, coat the cookies with chocolate. Melt 4 ounces of chocolate in a double broiler or in the microwave in 30 second increments and dip the cooled almond crescent cookies in halfway or coat them completely.
    Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com

    Storing and Freezing Instructions

    How to Store

    You can store almond cresent cookies in an airtight container or cookie tin at room temperature for up to 4 days. I suggest storing each in a mini cupcake liners so that they don't smudge into each other. You can extend their shelf life by storing in the fridge for up to 10 days.

    How to Freeze

    Almond crescents can also be frozen but the texture of the confectioners’ sugar coating is best fresh. Arrange them in an airtight container, in single layers layered in between pieces of parchment paper. Another way to freeze them is to place cookies on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 1-2 hours until frozen solid. Then, transfer the frozen cookies into a freezer bag and freeze. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    When ready to serve, allow the cookies to thaw overnight in the fridge. The confectioners' sugar gets a little sticky after thawing so I recommend dusting a new layer of confectioners' sugar on top before serving.

    More Cookie Recipes

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    • Italian Ricotta Cookies

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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    Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com

    Almond Crescent Cookies


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: 28-30 cookies
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar on top. The best part? They’re quick and easy to make in 40 minutes.


    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
    • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon almond extract
    • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup almond flour
    • ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar (for dusting on top)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a large half sheet baking pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer cream together butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
    3. Add vanilla and almond extract, and beat on low until incorporated. Add flour and almond flour and beat until combined. The dough will be quite crumbly and dry at first but will become smooth as it is combined and forms into a dough.
    4. Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out 1 tablespoon of cookie dough. Use your hands to roll it into a 1-inch ball. Then use your hands to shape it into a crescent (half-moon) shape. Place the crescents onto the lined baking sheet, spaced about an inch apart.
    5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until light golden brown.
    6. Allow the cookies to cool in the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then use a sifter (or fine mesh sieve) to dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar on top.
    7. Carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Dust on more confectioners’ sugar as needed.

    Notes

    How to store: You can store almond cresent cookies in an airtight container or cookie tin at room temperature for up to 4 days. I suggest storing each in a mini cupcake liners so that they don't smudge into each other. You can extend their shelf life by storing in the fridge for up to 10 days.

    How to freeze: Almond crescents can also be frozen but the texture of the confectioners’ sugar coating is best fresh. Arrange them in an airtight container, in single layers layered in between pieces of parchment paper. Another way to freeze them is to place cookies on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 1-2 hours until frozen solid. Then, transfer the frozen cookies into a freezer bag and freeze. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, allow the cookies to thaw overnight in the fridge. The confectioners' sugar gets a little sticky after thawing so I recommend dusting a new layer of confectioners' sugar on top before serving.

    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Category: Cookies
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: German

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Almond Crescent Cookies are delicious and crumbly half-moon shaped cookies with a fragrant, sweet almond flavor and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. | aheadofthyme.com
    Almond Crescent Cookies
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. DM says

      December 11, 2022 at 12:46 pm

      Tasty!

      Reply
    2. Betty says

      December 07, 2022 at 11:34 am

      Loved these cookies. They remind me of cookies I get at the German Christmas market. So happy to make them at home now!!!

      Reply

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