Almond Crescent Cookies Recipe

These almond crescent cookies are buttery, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

They’re a traditional Austrian treat often made and served around the holidays.

Dusted with powdered sugar, you can see what makes them so festive! But with that buttery taste, you’ll crave them year round.

They’re a sweet, simple treat that’s always a crowd favorite. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love These Almond Crescent Cookies

Irresistibly Nutty Flavor: Between the almond extract, almond flour, and finely chopped almonds, every bite is a nut lover’s dream.

Incredible Soft Texture: The dough is similar to shortbread, so it’s super moist and practically dissolves on the tongue.

Simple Ingredients: You don’t need any fancy ingredients for this cookie recipe.

Easy to Make: If you have a hand mixer, you can have these ready in no time. In fact, you can even make them with a wooden spoon!

Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and ensures a tender, buttery crumb.

• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the dough while keeping the cookies soft and delicate.

• Egg Yolk: Binds the ingredients and gives the cookies a rich, golden color.

• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweetness with a warm, aromatic flavor.

• Almond Extract: Boosts the almond flavor for an extra nutty kick.

• Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavors.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the cookies, keeping them light and crisp.

• Almond Flour: Gives a rich, nutty flavor and soft texture to the cookies.

• Finely Chopped Almonds (optional): Adds a bit of crunch and deepens the almond flavor.

How to Make Almond Crescent Cookies

Also known as Vanillekipferl, these cookies have been a cherished part of holiday traditions across Austria, Germany, and neighboring countries for generations.

Their distinctive shape is said to symbolize the Turkish crescent moon, commemorating a historic victory at the Battle of Vienna in 1683.

And with just one bite, you’ll be transported to a cozy Christmas market in the heart of Europe.

Here are the steps:

1. PREHEAT the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. BEAT the butter and 2/3 cups of powdered sugar on low until combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy.

3. BLEND in the egg yolk, vanilla, almond extract, and salt at low speed.

4. MIX 2 cups of flour and almond flour in by hand until just combined. Stir in the chopped nuts, if using. Add more flour as needed until the dough holds its shape when pressed.

5. SCOOP 1 1/2 tablespoon portions of dough, shape into crescents, and arrange on the baking sheet with 1-2 inches between them.

6. BAKE for 12-14 minutes, until the edges just start to turn golden brown.

7. COOL the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

8. ROLL the warm cookies in the remaining powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Tips For the Best Almond Crescent Cookies

These cookies are perfect for sharing with friends over a cup of coffee or as a sweet treat to enjoy on your own.

And thanks to these tips, they’ll be flawless every time!

• Room-temperature ingredients. Remove chilled ingredients from the fridge 20-30 minutes early for easier mixing and better texture.

• Precise measurements. Spoon the flour into the cup and level it off with a knife so you don’t get too much.

• Gentle mixing. Combine the flour by hand just until it’s crumbly and holds its shape. If you mix it too much (into a smooth ball), the cookies won’t have the same melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Chill the dough. If the dough seems too warm, refrigerate the shaped cookies for 20-30 minutes (covered). This will also help prevent too much spreading.

• Careful baking. Watch the cookies closely near the end of baking time to avoid over-browning. They can quickly go from perfect to overdone.

• Flavor variations. Experiment with different nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, or add citrus zest for a twist on the classic recipe. For enhanced flavor, toast the chopped almonds before adding them to the dough.

How to Store

Once you try these cookies, you’ll understand why they’ve been cherished for generations.

Luckily, they store well, so you can make double!

To Store: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. Dust with more powdered sugar, as needed, before serving.

To Freeze: Flash freeze unbaked or baked (uncoated) cookies until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for 2-3 months. Bake from frozen with an extra minute or 2 of baking time. Thaw baked cookies on the counter and dust with powdered sugar to serve.

More Buttery Cookies You’ll Love

Black and White Cookies
Thumbprint Cookies
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Coffee Cake Cookies