Vanillekipferl (Austrian Vanilla Crescent Cookies)

By peridot728

Popular throughout Europe, these shortbread cookies are of Austrian origin and their vanilla-infused flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture are sure to win you over!

Ingredients

• For Dusting:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 4 ounces (about 1 cup) ground walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts (see blog post for more info)
• 1 package (1-1/2 teaspoons) vanilla sugar
• (see pictured instructions in post on how to make your own vanilla sugar)
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar (aka confectioner sugar)
• small pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 packet (1 1/2 teaspoons) vanilla sugar

Preparation

Step 1

Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and knead until thoroughly combined. The dough will be fairly dry and flaky. Shape the dough into a log and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut off small pieces of the dough and shape them into crescents. Place the crescents onto a non-stick or parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake on the middle rack for 12-15 minutes (depending on the size of the crescents) or until the edges begin to turn golden.

Combine the powdered sugar and vanilla sugar. Let the cookies sit for one minute and then use a sifter to dust them with the vanilla-powdered sugar while they're still hot. Let the cookies cool completely and then give them a second dusting.

Stored in an airtight container in a cool place, these cookies will keep for several weeks.