**Kiefels: A Sweet and Crispy German Cookie Treat**
Kiefels, also known as kifli, are a traditional German cookie that originated in the Swabian region of Germany. These delightful cookies are characterized by their unique crescent shape and crispy, flaky texture. They are made with a simple dough that is rolled out thinly and then cut into triangles, which are then rolled up from the long side to form the crescent shape. Kiefels are typically flavored with vanilla and cinnamon, and they are often sprinkled with powdered sugar before serving. This article provides two variations on the classic kiefel recipe: a traditional recipe and a vegan recipe. Both recipes are easy to follow and result in delicious, crispy cookies that are perfect for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients and let's get baking!
HUNGARIAN KIFFLES
Kiffles (kiflis) are traditional Hungarian cream cheese pastry cookies with assorted fruit and nut fillings like apricot, almond, and poppy.
Provided by Lynne Webb
Categories Baking & Desserts
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Whisk the flour and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until very smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture, 1/4 cup at a time, mixing just until combined. The dough will be quite moist, but not sticky.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and flatten into a square approximately 1/2-inch thick. Cut into 4 equal pieces and wrap each separately in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, a minimum of 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and position a rack in the center of the oven. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove one portion of the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a liberally floured surface.
- Dust the top of the dough with flour and cover with a sheet of wax or parchment paper. Working from the center toward the corners, roll the dough out to a 1/8-inch-thick square. It should measure about 9 inches.
- For best results, see our recipe notes below to learn how to roll your dough into a perfect square.
- Using a pastry wheel or a sharp knife, cut your dough both lengthwise and crosswise into small squares.
- Your total yield will depend on how large you make them. We recommend 1-1/2-inches which will give you 36 kiffles per square of dough or about 12 dozen total.
- The best way to keep the size even is to use a ruler and mark all 4 sides of the dough square at intervals with the tip of a knife. You can use the handle of a spatula to guide you as you cut to keep your lines straight as well (similar to drawing straight lines on a sheet of paper).
- Working as quickly as possible, place a small mound of filling (about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon) in the center of each square. If the filling flavor you're using is relatively smooth you can spoon it into a small freezer bag, snip off a tiny bottom corner and squeeze the filling onto the squares. This works particularly well with the poppy and almond flavors.
- Lift two opposite corners of the dough over the filling and gently pinch them together. Fold that "point" over to one side, moisten the tip of your finger with a bit of water and smooth it down gently on one side of the kiffle. This prevent the kiffles from popping open as they bake.
- Important Note: The various filling flavors spread a bit differently during baking so you may want to fill a few "test" kiffles and bake them to gauge the right amount of filling for each type.
- Arrange the kiffles 1 inch apart on the parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake until barely golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute, then carefully transfer the kiffles to cooling racks.
- Repeat the process with the remaining 3 portions of dough, using different filling flavors if desired.
- Store kiffles between layers of waxed paper in a tightly closed container and refrigerate. Bring them to room temperature (30 minutes out of the fridge), arrange on a plate and dust lightly with powdered sugar just before serving. It's not advisable to top them with powdered sugar before storing.
- Makes 8 to 12 dozen
KEUFELS (ORIGINAL)
An Amish take on butter tarts. Very tasty but if you're counting calories, don't try this!
Provided by thatscountry
Categories Butter Tarts
Time 50m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups.
- Mix 1 cup and 2 tablespoons flour, margarine, and cream cheese in a bowl using a fork. Form dough into 24 small balls. Press and shape each ball to form a shell in the prepared muffin cups.
- Mix brown sugar, nuts, butter, egg, vanilla extract, and salt in a bowl. Spoon mixture into the prepared dough.
- Bake in the preheated oven until keufels are lightly browned and filling is bubbling, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 138.4 calories, Carbohydrate 14.2 g, Cholesterol 14.2 mg, Fat 8.6 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 91 mg, Sugar 9.1 g
VANILLE KIPFERL II
The vanille kipferl originated in Austria, and they are also very popular in Switzerland and Germany. The kipferl become even yummier after 2 to 3 days...but only for those who can resist long enough. If desired, the two ends of the kipferl can be dipped in warm chocolate and then left to cool.
Provided by Maya McNally
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Austrian
Time 1h25m
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in the butter until the size of small peas and mix in with your hands.
- Mix 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, the egg, 3 teaspoons of vanilla sugar, and ground almonds into the flour mixture. Place the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide the dough into several parts. Roll each section of dough into logs approximately 1/2 inch thick. Cut the logs into 1-inch pieces, and bend the pieces into a crescent shape (just like a croissant). Place the kipferl on the baking sheet and chill them for 15 minutes.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- Combine 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla sugar and toss to mix.
- While still warm, carefully remove kipferl from the baking sheet and dip them in sugar to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 109 calories, Carbohydrate 12.2 g, Cholesterol 13.3 mg, Fat 5.9 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 3 mg, Sugar 3.8 g
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH COOKIES KIFFELS
Make and share this Pennsylvania Dutch Cookies Kiffels recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Olha7397
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Yield 8 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a mixing bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, egg yolks and flour; beat until smooth.
- Shape into 1-inch balls; place in a container with waxed paper separating each layer.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- FOR THE FILLING, combine walnuts and 3 3/4 cups sugar (the mixture will be dry).
- In a small mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into nut mixture.
- Add extracts and a few drops of water if necessary until filling reaches a spreading consistency.
- Place remaining sugar in a bowl; roll cream cheese balls in sugar until completely covered.
- Place a few balls at a time between two sheets of waxed paper.
- Roll balls into 2 1/2-inch circles.
- Gently spread about 2 teaspoons of filling over each.
- Roll up; place seam side down on ungreased baking sheets.
- Curve the ends slightly.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cool on wire racks.
- Yield: about 8 dozen.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1433.5, Fat 88.8, SaturatedFat 41.1, Cholesterol 269.8, Sodium 476.9, Carbohydrate 146.6, Fiber 4.6, Sugar 86, Protein 19.9
KIFLES (NUT ROLLS OR HORNS)
Make and share this Kifles (Nut Rolls or Horns) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Miss Erin C.
Categories Breads
Time 1h
Yield 80 Kifles
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Combine nuts, sugar and vanilla.
- Fold in egg whites; set aside.
- Put flour into a large bowl.
- Add the yeast to the egg yolks in a small bowl and let soften.
- Cut butter into the flour until crumbly.
- Add egg yolks and yeast and sour cream.
- Mix well until it forms a smooth ball.
- Form into 10 balls and chill.
- Mix 1 cup granulated and 1 cup powdered sugar.
- On counter top, sprinkle a spoonful of sugar mixture, place 1 ball on the sugar, add more sugar on top, roll out ball Roll until dough is 1/8-inch thick, forming a circle.
- Cut the circle into 8 pie-shaped wedges.
- Fill the wide end of each wedge with 1 level teaspoon of filling.
- Roll from wide end to the point.
- Continue with all the balls.
- Place on greased cookie sheets.
- Bake at 325°F for 15 minutes.
KIPFEL
I have not made these--I posted this recipe as an answer to a recipe request. They sound awfully good ... I think they're going to be a new addition to this year's Christmas cookie list!
Provided by Mary Scheffert
Categories Dessert
Time 47m
Yield 30 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a medium mixing bowl cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the 1/4 cup sugar.
- Make a well in the center.
- Combine egg yolks and sour cream; add to flour mixture and stir until mixture forms a ball.
- Divide dough in half, and keep one half of the dough tightly covered.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the other half of dough to 1/16" thickness, and cut into 4" rounds.
- For filling, beat egg whites slightly.
- Add ground nuts, the 1/2 cup sugar, lemon juice& the 3/4 tsp cinnamon.
- Spread a rounded teaspoon of filling onto each round to within 1/4" of edge.
- Roll up jelly-roll style; with seam sides down, press ends with tines of a fork to seal.
- Place on ungreased cookie sheets with seam sides down.
- Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
- Sprinkle with a mixture of powdered sugar& cinnamon.
EASY SOUR CREAM KIFLI
Not many ingredients in the dough; easy to mix, chill and fill, and the finished product is "oh, so good".
Provided by superbuna
Categories Dessert
Time 2h20m
Yield 72 crescents
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- For dough:.
- Cut butter into flour.
- Mix egg yolks with sour cream and add to flour mix.
- Mix well.
- Divide dough into 6 or 8 parts.
- Flatten each into small patty shape.
- Wrap each patty in plastic wrap and chill at least 6 hours or overnight.
- For filling:.
- Combine nuts, sugars, and lemon rind and set aside.
- Beat egg whites a little with a fork and set aside.
- To assemble:.
- Remove one patty at a time from fridge and roll out on a floured board to a 9" circle.
- Now smear some egg white over the circle of dough.
- Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of sugar/nut mixture over that.
- Cut into 12 pie-shaped wedges.
- Roll up, curve into crescent shape, dip tops in egg whites, then in nut mixture and arrange on prepared cookie sheets.
- Repeat with balance of dough.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Makes 72, 96, or more, depending on how many times you divide the dough.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 115.6, Fat 8, SaturatedFat 4.1, Cholesterol 23.5, Sodium 41.6, Carbohydrate 10, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 4.3, Protein 1.5
KIEFEL COOKIES
Helen & Louis Rowell - this is a recipe my Aunt Sarah Refle used to make. These cookies take lots of time to make but they are real good.
Provided by Christe Harwood
Categories Cookies
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Let stand in 3 lumps for 2 hours.
- 2. Roll thin on lots of sugar. Cut in 3 inch squares.
- 3. Put 1 teaspoon jam in center of square.
- 4. Round bottom of corner to top corner, then form crescent.
- 5. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly brown.
GERMAN KIPFELS
This is my Grandma's cookie recipe she made when she worked at a bakery in Germany before WWII. She moved to the US after the war and passed this cherished recipe on to her children and grandchildren. For pictorial instructions check out my blog: http://www.perfuzion.com/german-kipfels/
Provided by Schooter
Categories Dessert
Time 55m
Yield 85 cookies, 85 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Put flour on counter.
- Make hole in the middle to put other ingredients.
- Add yeast, water, salt, vanilla, sugar, eggs, baking powder and butter to middle of flour.
- Knead dough until all ingredients are mixed. (Alternatively, use Kitchenaid with paddle blade to combine ingredients. First cream together butter and sugar; add eggs and vanilla; whisk together dry ingredients and add to wet alternating with water.).
- Roll a fourth of the dough out on to the counter to 1/8" thickiness (Make sure the dough is rolled very thin).
- Cut dough into 3x3 inch squares using a pizza cutter.
- Put 5 chocolate chips in the middle.
- Roll dough from corner. Cookie should look like a crescent roll. Make sure to pinch the dough together so they don't unroll when cooking.
- Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cool for ~10 minutes.
- Roll in powdered sugar using a zip lock bag.
- Put cookies in container/ziplock and store in the freezer for best taste.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the taste of your Kifles. Use fresh, high-quality flour, butter, eggs, and spices.
- Chill the dough before rolling: Chilling the dough will make it easier to roll and prevent it from becoming too sticky. You can chill the dough for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Roll the dough thinly: The thinner you roll the dough, the crispier your Kifles will be. Aim for a thickness of about ⅛ inch.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the dough: A sharp knife will give you clean cuts and prevent the dough from tearing.
- Brush the Kifles with egg wash before baking: Egg wash will give your Kifles a golden brown color and a shiny finish.
- Bake the Kifles until they are golden brown: The baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your Kifles. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the oven when they are golden brown.
Conclusion:
Kifles are a delicious and versatile pastry that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be filled with a variety of sweet or savory fillings, making them a perfect choice for any occasion. With a little practice, you can easily make Kifles at home.
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