These Almond Crescents are family favorites in the holiday cookie tin! Super simple and just as delicious!
T-minus one week til Christmas Day guys! I don’t know about you, but WOW, I can’t believe it!
Hope you all had a great weekend. Ours was jam-packed with fun!! Casey came home from UMich on Saturday, we bought our tree, decked the halls, went to a holiday party, enjoyed a beautiful snowfall, and last but not least, baked a few more batches of holiday cookies! It was picture PERFECT!
In addition to my Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies, my Hungarian Kifli, and my Chocolate Shortbread Holiday Cookie Cutouts, these Almond Crescents were on the baking list. They’re beyond easy peasy, rich and buttery, and a holiday tradition at our house!
I always find myself making these the week before Christmas, because they only require a handful of ingredients, all of which I’ve always got on hand, and the recipe is super simple. And let’s face it, when it’s only days before the big day, I don’t know about you folks, but super simple is about all my brain can handle.
The great thing about these cookies is that they’re totally customizable. I used almonds in today’s version, but you can also substitute pecans or walnuts. You can sprinkle them with confectioner’s sugar like I’ve done, or roll them in it for a thicker coating. You can also drizzle them or dip them in some melted chocolate. Lots of delicious options!
These yummy crescents will be the last cookie on the BHK baking list this holiday season. It’s been a busy few weeks of baking, but it’s been soooo much fun! Enjoy!
I’ll have one more crazy delicious comfort food recipe comin’ at ya this Thursday before I take a little break to spend the holiday with family and friends. You won’t want to miss it! Stay tuned!
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole raw almonds
- 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup (two sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar sifted
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Garnish: extra confectioner's sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the almonds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes or until fragrant, tossing nuts halfway through baking time. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Place cooled almonds in food processor and process until finely ground.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together almonds, flour and salt.
- In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until well blended. Add dry mixture and mix until well combined. Divide dough in half , wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least two hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Shape roughly one tablespoonful of dough into a 3-inch log with tapered ends, then bending into a crescent shape. Place on prepared sheet, about one inch apart.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes, until lightly browned and firm, rotating tray halfway through baking time. Remove from oven and let cool on sheet for 8 minutes before removing to rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with extra confectioner's sugar. Repeat with remaining dough. Store cookies in airtight container.
It does sound like a picture perfect weekend for your family! Glad Casey is home. These cookies look picture perfect too and I always love having these for the holidays. They are a break from all the super sweet stuff.
Yes, I agree Karen! These aren’t too sweet, but still such a treat! Have a great week!
Sounds like you had the BEST kind of weekend, Mary Ann! I can only imagine the lovely smells permeating throughout your home! These almond crescents like delish! Love that they’re customizable, but they sound perfect just as you have them, if you ask me ;) Pinned! Can’t believe we are so close to the big day! Have a wonderful week! XOXO
Yes! Hope you did too Dawn! Thanks so much for pinning! Have a wonderful week! XO
Ummm I need these in my life! Diamond Nuts are the best!
Yes they are Jennifer! I’ve been baking all season with them!
Sounds like you are all set for the holidays! Family, snow and beautiful, delicious cookies! Love these :)
Hope you are too Jennifer! Have a wonderful week!
Yaaay! It certainly sounds like you had a picture perfect weekend, Mare!! I don’t think I’ve ever had an Almond Crescent before, but they look and sound delish! Plus, you just can’t beat the minimal ingredient list and easy prep!! Pinning to try! Cheers! xoxo
These are perfect for you Chey since you can’t do chocolate! You’d love them. Not too sweet, but equally as delish! Have an awesome week! XO
LOVE these almond-crescents!!!! Perfect for the holiday season! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!
Thanks Alice! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday also!!
I love your site Marianne It is so beautiful. Everything looks so delectable
Thanks so much Lynn! So glad you found it! Happy Holidays!
Those sound magical MaryAnn! I can’t believe Christmas is a week away. We’ve got so much left to do!
I know, right?! The days have blown by since Thanksgiving! Good luck and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Matt!
Vanille Kipferl as we call them in Germany and Austria are some of my favorite cookies. I make them every year. Your cookies look fabulous. Wishing you holidays filled with happiness and good food.
Aren’t they just the best Gerlinde?! I make these every year. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and a healthy and Happy New Year!! XO
That absolutely sounds like a picture perfect weekend, Mary Ann! Especially with the snow – we don’t see much of that around here. Those almond crescents look so good! Happy Holidays!
Thanks so much Rach! Hope you had a great weekend too! Have a wonderful Christmas!!
Almond anything is my favorite! I think I need to make these!
Go for it Leigh Ann! These are so easy!
How is it even possible that Christmas is a week away? I need to stuff my face with Christmas cookies before it’s too late. These little crescents would be perfect!
I know! Time’s been flying for sure Kelsie! Get baking and eating!! There’s still time!
These are so cute! I haven’t ever tried Crescent cookies, but these look lovely! Buttery and with all that almond flavor,these sound perfect! Still wondering, how you managed all that in one weekend :D
Thanks Deepika! It was jam-packed with fun!! Happy Holidays to you and your family! Enjoy your trip!
Such a good idea for gifting or just keeping for yourself! YUM.
Keeping for yourself is fun too!
These look fantastic Mary Ann! Perfect with a cup of coffee!
Thanks Alida! Awesome with coffee!
I love, love, love these! The perfect holiday treat!! Have a great week, my friend!
You have a great week too Annie!
How fun!! We have yet to have our first snowfall but I am ready for it! These look insanely delicious, Mary Ann. I can only imagine how good a little dip in chocolate would be too! xo
They’re wonderful dipped in chocolate Tessa! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a white Christmas!
So glad you had such a perfect weekend and that you had some Casey time. :) Almond Crescents are one of my favorite holiday cookies and yours look melt-in-your-mouth perfect!!
So happy he’s home!! These are my favorite too Marissa! Hope you have an awesome week!
Oooh, I need to try these! They look amaaazing!!
Thanks Gina! So easy and not too sweet, which I really like.
My mom makes a very similar cookie. I used to call them (ok I still call them) U-cookies cuz of the shape haha. Love these! Have a great week, Mary Ann!
That’s an appropriate name! Hope you have a wonderful week too Natasha!
These look perfect and I know my family would LOVE them! YUM!
I bet they would Tieghan!
That sounds like a wonderful weekend that you had, Mary Ann!! I’m glad you still fit in some holiday baking (obviously). Can you believe Christmas is a week away? Just enough time to whip up a batch of these crescents! ;)
Get baking Katherine! You’ve still got time! Have a wonderful holiday with your boys!
These are some of my all time favorite cookies!
Mine to Jennifer! I think they’re my fave because they aren’t overly sweet!
Wow Mary Ann! You packed a lot into your weekend! I totally agree with you. The last few days leading up to Christmas, all my baking and meals have to be simple! My energy is otherwise focused on last minute shopping and wrapping! Have a great week!
It was crazy busy Leanne, but sooo much fun! Hope your week is full of holiday fun! XO
Love how easy these cookies are! They’ll be a great addition to the cookie plate!
Totally easy Lindsay!
These are so pretty, Mary Ann! I love crescent cookies and these look delicious!
Thanks Laura! Me too. Happy Holidays!
These make me more and more excited to my holiday cookie party with my family! Will definitely be making these!
Yay! Enjoy Naomi. You’ll love how easy they are! Happy Holidays!
I totally remember eating these at Christmas parties growing up, so many good memories!
Me too Matt! Glad they bring back sweet memories! Happy Holidays!
These are simply wonderful. One of my favorite types of cookies!
Mine too Jessie! Not too sweet and so easy! Happy Holidays!
These are one of my most favorite holiday cookies, Mary Ann! I love having a couple with a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon. Can’t wait to make these! Happy holidays to you and your family sweet friend! xo
Mine too Caroline!! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday too! And a happy and healthy New Year!
Yes, oh how I adore almond cookies. And you so patiently shaped these into the most perfect little crescents! Casey must be home by how- enjoy the time together!
He’s home and I’m totally loving it!
Don’t try it with Cup4Cup gluten free flour… I did and ;/ … tossed them. Beautiful recipe but not for GF!
Thanks for letting us know!