Vanilla Kipferl

Vanilla Kipferl, also known as Vanillekipferl, are crescent-shaped pastries typical of Austrian confectionery and very popular in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, especially during the Christmas season. Here is the recipe to make them:

Ingredients

• 210 g of flour
• 30 g of icing sugar
• 100 g of ground almonds
• 175 g of cold butter, cut into pieces
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 vanilla pod (or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract)
• Vanilla sugar (or icing sugar mixed with vanilla powder) for finishing

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with icing sugar and ground almonds.
2. Slit the vanilla pod longitudinally and scrape out the inside seeds with the tip of a knife. Add the seeds to the flour mixture (if you are using vanilla extract, you will add it later).
3. Add the cold butter pieces and start working the mixture with the tips of your fingers until you get a sandy texture.
4. Add the egg yolk (and at this point the vanilla extract if you haven’t used the pod) and quickly knead to obtain a smooth dough.
5. Form a ball with the dough, wrap it in cling film and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
7. Take the dough and divide it into small pieces of about 10 grams each. Shape each piece into a small cylinder and then gently bend it to obtain the crescent shape.
8. Place the Kipferl on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, keeping a small distance between them.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they are slightly golden.
10. Remove the cookies from the oven and, while they are still warm, roll them in vanilla sugar until well coated.
11. Let the Vanillekipferl cool completely before serving.

Interesting Facts

The crescent shape of the Vanillekipferl is said to represent the triumph of European troops over the Turks, which is why they are found in many areas of Central Europe.

Happy cooking and enjoy tasting these delicious cookies with a unique flavor!