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Mom’s Christmas Crescent Cookies Recipe

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4.1 from 12 reviews

Discover the delightful melt-in-your-mouth Italian Christmas crescent cookies made with simple pantry staples like butter, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla. These buttery cookies are perfectly shaped crescents, baked to a golden brown, and generously dusted with powdered sugar for a festive, sweet finish. Ideal for holiday gatherings or gifting, this recipe yields tender, flavorful cookies everyone will adore.

  • Total Time: 48 minutes
  • Yield: 16 cookies

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cold salted butter (8 tablespoons), cubed
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies evenly.
  2. Mix the Ingredients: In a food processor or mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cubed cold butter, white sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Use the pulse function on the food processor or a hand mixer to blend until a dough forms.
  3. Form into Logs: Quickly divide the dough into two parts and shape each into a 6×2 inch log. Slice the logs into 1-inch pieces.
  4. Shape the Crescents: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll each 1-inch dough piece between your palms into a 3-inch piece, then gently shape it into a crescent using your fingers. Place the shaped cookies on the lined sheet pan.
  5. Chill Cookies: Chill the shaped cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to prevent them from melting during baking.
  6. Bake: Bake the chilled cookies in the preheated oven for 9 minutes. Then rotate the pan and bake for an additional 9 minutes to ensure even browning.
  7. Cool and Dust: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a rack. Once cooled, generously dust each cookie with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter is cold before mixing for the best texture.
  • Do not skip chilling the cookies; it prevents spreading and melting during baking.
  • You can store the cookies in an airtight container for up to one week.
  • For extra flavor, consider adding finely chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans into the dough.
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian