Vanille KipferlI'm kicking off the Advent Calendar with a cookie that holds the top spot on my list of German Christmas cookies. This particular treat is widely beloved and shares similarities with variations found in various cultures, such as Russian Teacakes and Mexican Wedding Cookies.
In my opinion, this cookie is an absolute essential for any Christmas cookie platter. Its distinctive crescent moon shape is its signature identifier. While some recipes recommend immediately tossing these cookies in a mix of vanilla sugar and powdered sugar, I prefer a different approach to prevent breakage. Freshly baked cookies tend to be delicate, especially when they have this unique shape. Therefore, I opt to delicately dust them with powdered sugar infused with Vanilla Sugar, achieving the same delightful effect and taste without risking their structural integrity. |
HISTORY:
Vanillekipferl is a traditional Austrian Christmas cookie originating from Vienna. These crescent-shaped cookies are quite popular in Europe and are often available for purchase in Viennese coffeehouses, especially around the holiday season.The legend behind their shape is associated with the historic events of the Battle of Vienna in 1683 when the Viennese bakers supposedly created these crescent-shaped cookies resembling the Turkish crescent moon, as a celebration of the victory over the Ottoman Empire. The victory at the Battle of Vienna is considered a significant event in European history and is sometimes linked to the origin story of the Vanillekipferl cookies.
Vanillekipferl is a traditional Austrian Christmas cookie originating from Vienna. These crescent-shaped cookies are quite popular in Europe and are often available for purchase in Viennese coffeehouses, especially around the holiday season.The legend behind their shape is associated with the historic events of the Battle of Vienna in 1683 when the Viennese bakers supposedly created these crescent-shaped cookies resembling the Turkish crescent moon, as a celebration of the victory over the Ottoman Empire. The victory at the Battle of Vienna is considered a significant event in European history and is sometimes linked to the origin story of the Vanillekipferl cookies.
VANILLEKIPFERL RECIPE
Makes 34 cookies
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ sticks (170g) unsalted Butter
- 2 Egg yolks
- ⅔ cup (64g) Almond flour/meal
- 2 1/8 cup (256g) All Purpose flour
- ½ cup (50g) Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ cup (50g) Powdered Sugar
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream them together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well until the ingredients are fully combined.
- Add the all-purpose flour and ground almonds (or hazelnuts), mixing until a soft and uniform dough forms. The dough should not be overly sticky.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Using a Tablespoon Measure measure dough into small chunks.
- Now roll them into small balls, each about the size of a walnut.
- Roll each ball into a rope-like log, about 3-4 inches long.
- Shape the log into a crescent moon by bending it into a half-moon shape.
- Place the crescent-shaped cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each one. These cookies like to spread!
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 8-9 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. The cookies will still be pale in color.
- While the cookies are still warm, gently dust each one with powdered sugar (if you have Vanilla Sugar you can add that as well). This will coat the cookies and give them a sweet vanilla flavor.
- Allow the Vanillekipferl to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, they are ready to be packed.