From my family to yours this Christmas, I’m delighted to share a recipe that holds a special place in my heart. My family heritage is a beautiful blend of Austrian, German, Slovenian, and a sprinkling of Czech — truly Central European. No Christmas is complete without these delicious traditional treats. This family recipe has been lovingly passed down through generations, and unlike many versions you’ll find online, it’s delightfully simple yet irresistibly tasty.
These almond crescents (Vanillekipferl in German) are tender, buttery, and melt in your mouth, with a delicate nutty flavor.
In our family, Christmas Eve is the centerpiece of our holiday celebrations, a night filled with anticipation, love, and indulgence.. and of course a touch of 'perfection' stress.
The evening begins with a rather grand dinner: elegant canapés to nibble as we sip a Kir Royale, followed by three exquisite courses, each paired with perfectly matched wines... or more Champagne. The table sparkles with beautifully folded napkins, twinkling candlelight, and festive Christmas crackers that set the mood. Everyone dresses in their finest, heightening the sense of occasion and reverence for this special night... although the paper crowns from the Christmas Crackers (bon-bons for you Americans) is mandatory!
As the night unfolds, these biscuits become a star attraction. They make their appearance on a platter of treats, their sweet, nutty aroma mingling with the warmth of the evening. We savor them alongside the ridiculously lengthy midnight present ritual.
These crescents symbolize comfort and tradition, a cherished indulgence that sweetens the wait.
And the magic doesn’t end there.
Christmas morning brings the promise of more — because I always bake enough to ensure there’s plenty left for coffee or tea the next day.
These biscuits, lovingly baked and shared, carry the joy and spirit of Christmas into every moment.
Vanille-Kipferl
Ingredients:
250 gm plain flour
250 gm unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
100 gm Icing sugar (icing sugar)
150 gm ground nuts (we always use almond meal but you can use walnut or hazelnut too)
Vanilla Sugar for coating
Instructions:
Prepare the dry ingredients:Sift together the plain flour and sugar in a large bowl. Add the ground nuts and mix well.
Incorporate the butter:Cut the butter into small pieces and rub it into the dry ingredients with your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Form the dough:Knead the mixture gently until it comes together into a firm paste.
Shape the cookies:Roll small pieces of dough between your hands and shape them into crescents.
Bake:Place the crescents on a buttered and floured baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C until they are light golden brown.
Coat with vanilla sugar:While the cookies are still hot, roll them in vanilla sugar to coat them evenly.
Why These Simple Treats Are Special
These biscuits are delicious and deeply symbolic of Germanic Christmas traditions.
They’re the kind of treat that fills the kitchen with the comforting aroma of butter, sugar, and vanilla, evoking memories of festive gatherings and decadent midnight deliciousness.
This recipe is less complicated than many, but it doesn’t compromise flavor or texture.
From my family to yours, I wish you a holiday season filled with love, warmth, and of course, plenty of Vanille-kipferl. Merry Christmas!
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