Best 11 Pecan Kipferl Crescent Christmas Cookies Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable goodness of Pecan Kipferl, a traditional Austrian Christmas cookie that captivates the senses with its delicate, crescent shape and irresistible nutty flavor. These delightful treats are a delightful blend of sweet and savory, featuring a buttery shortbread dough generously filled with a mixture of finely chopped pecans and a touch of cinnamon. With a dusting of powdered sugar, these cookies transform into elegant crescents that are sure to steal the show at any holiday gathering.

In this comprehensive guide, we bring you not one but four enticing variations of Pecan Kipferl, each offering a unique twist on this classic recipe. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the nuances of these delectable delights:

• Classic Pecan Kipferl: Experience the timeless elegance of the original recipe, with its perfect balance of flavors and textures.

• Chocolate-Dipped Pecan Kipferl: Elevate the classic with a decadent touch of dark chocolate, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

• Maple-Glazed Pecan Kipferl: Infuse a touch of sweetness with a maple glaze, adding a delightful layer of flavor that complements the nutty filling.

• Cranberry-Orange Pecan Kipferl: Introduce a burst of citrusy freshness with dried cranberries and orange zest, resulting in a delightful interplay of flavors.

Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, our detailed instructions and helpful tips will guide you through the process, ensuring that your Pecan Kipferl turn out perfect every time. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to embark on a delightful baking adventure that will fill your home with the sweet aroma of holiday cheer.

Let's cook with our recipes!

PECAN CRESCENT COOKIES



Pecan Crescent Cookies image

Rich, buttery and absolutely irresistible, these old-fashioned nut cookies were one of Mom's specialties. Any meal was a memorable event when she served this scrumptious treat. -Grace Yaskovic, Branchville, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 6 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour. Stir in pecans., Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 2-1/2-in. logs and shape into crescents. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. , Bake at 325° for 20-22 minutes or until set and bottoms are lightly browned. Let stand for 2-3 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 104 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 52mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

VANILLEKIPFERL (AUSTRIAN VANILLA CRESCENT COOKIES)



Vanillekipferl (Austrian Vanilla Crescent Cookies) image

Popular throughout Europe, these shortbread cookies are of Austrian origin and their vanilla-infused flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture are sure to win you over!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     Dessert

Time 27m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter (, softened at room temperature)
2 large egg yolks
4 ounces (about 1 cup) ground walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts ((see blog post for more info))
1 package (1 1/2 teaspoons) vanilla sugar
(see pictured instructions in post on how to make your own vanilla sugar)
3/4 cup powdered sugar (aka confectioner sugar)
small pinch of salt
For Dusting:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 packet (1 1/2 teaspoons) vanilla sugar

Steps:

  • Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and knead until thoroughly combined. Unless you're using the egg yolks the dough will be pretty dry and flaky, like shortbread cookie dough. Shape the dough into a log and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Cut off small pieces of the dough and shape them into crescents. Place the crescents onto a non-stick or parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake on the middle rack for 12-15 minutes (depending on the size of the crescents) or until the edges begin to turn golden.
  • Combine the powdered sugar and vanilla sugar. Let the cookies sit for one minute and then use a sifter to dust them with the vanilla-powdered sugar while they're still hot. Let the cookies cool completely and then give them a second dusting.
  • Stored in an airtight container in a cool place, these cookies will keep for several weeks.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cookie, Calories 94 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 12 mg, Sodium 40 mg, Sugar 3 g

PECAN CRESCENT COOKIES



Pecan Crescent Cookies image

These sugary, nutty little nuggets have been a Christmas staple in my house since the late 70s. These tempting cookies were nearly impossible to sneak a pre-holiday nibble of, because even one bite would yield a trail of powdered sugar all over the kitchen, your shirt and your mouth!

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories     dessert

Time 1h

Yield about 5 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 cups all-purpose flour, scooped
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
  • Whisk the flour and salt together in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Combine the butter and granulated sugar in a separate large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in 4 teaspoons of water and the vanilla. Slowly mix in the flour mixture and finally, the pecans.
  • Break off tablespoonful pieces of dough, roll each to form a crescent shape and arrange evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets. (You'll have leftover dough for a second batch.)
  • Bake until slightly golden on the bottoms and edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Watch very carefully--better to undercook than overcook. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 10 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  • Put the powdered sugar in a shallow plate. Once cooled, roll each cookie in an ample amount of the sugar.

PECAN KIPFERL CRESCENT CHRISTMAS COOKIES



Pecan Kipferl Crescent Christmas Cookies image

Another favorite Christmas cookie from my German mother-in-law.

Provided by Sheila M

Categories     Cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 c ground pecans (hazelnut may be substituted)
2 c confectioners' sugar
1 c (2 sticks) butter softened
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
chocolate to decorate (optional)

Steps:

  • 1. If you have a processor, finely grind nuts with 1/4 cup sugar. I don't so I buy it already ground.
  • 2. In a bowl, on low. beat butter until creamy. Add 1/2 cup of sugar; beat until fluffy. Beat in nut mixture and vanilla. If you bought your nuts already ground add the additional 1/4 cup sugar you would have used to grind the nuts in processor.
  • 3. Beat in flour, then salt. Chill 1 hour.
  • 4. Preheat oven to 350. With floured hands, roll level 1 1/2 tsp dough into 3" ropes; shape into crescents. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.
  • 5. Bake 12-14 minutes or until lightly bowned on bottoms and edges. Transfer to racks. Let stand until warm.
  • 6. Sift remaining sugar onto plate. Roll warm cookies in sugar. You must brush the sugar off one end to dip into chocolate. Place on wax paper to set. They are great with just the powdered sugar.
  • 7. Makes about 5 dozen.
  • 8. Picture is from Google images.

VANILLEKIPFERL



Vanillekipferl image

Vanilla cookie crescents make the perfect German Christmas treat!

Provided by Marianne

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     German

Time 2h40m

Yield 120

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups almond flour
½ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 ¼ sticks unsalted butter, softened
3 large egg yolks
½ cup white sugar
1 tablespoon white sugar
3 vanilla beans

Steps:

  • Stir all-purpose flour, almond flour, and 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar together in a bowl. Add butter and egg yolks; knead by hand until a smooth dough forms.
  • Divide dough into quarters and form each piece into a rectangle. Wrap each rectangle in plastic wrap. Chill dough in the refrigerator until firm, at least 1 hour, and up to overnight.
  • Place 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon white sugar in a food processor. Cut each vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape seeds from each half with the back of the knife; add to the sugar. Pulse until seeds are evenly dispersed. Pour vanilla sugar into a shallow bowl.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Cut 1 portion of dough into 6 equal pieces, keeping remaining dough chilled. Roll each piece evenly into a 1/2-inch-thick log on a lightly floured surface. Cut each log crosswise into 2-inch pieces and gently roll or pinch ends of each piece into points. Arrange cookies on the baking sheets.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bottoms are lightly golden but tops are still pale, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 2 minutes.
  • Roll warm cookies in the vanilla sugar, brushing off excess sugar. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough, baking in batches.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 43.5 calories, Carbohydrate 4.5 g, Cholesterol 9.7 mg, Fat 2.6 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 0.5 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

PECAN MELTAWAYS



Pecan Meltaways image

This sweet, nutty pecan balls recipe is a tradition in our house at Christmastime, but the treats are delightful any time of the year. -Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 25m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Additional confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in pecans. Refrigerate until chilled., Preheat oven to 350°. Roll into 1-in. balls and place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Roll warm cookies in additional confectioners' sugar; cool completely on wire racks. Roll cooled cookies again in confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 73 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 39mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

PECAN BALLS (CHRISTMAS COOKIES)



Pecan Balls (Christmas Cookies) image

Make and share this Pecan Balls (Christmas Cookies) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by LiisaN

Categories     Dessert

Time 30m

Yield 36-42 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
additional powdered sugar, for rolling

Steps:

  • Mix ingredients together until well blended.
  • Hand form into small balls.
  • Bake at 300° up to 15 minutes. (These will not brown).
  • While balls are still warm, roll into powdered sugar.

HOLIDAY KIPFERL COOKIE



Holiday Kipferl Cookie image

My family has been making the classic kipferl cookie on December 1 every year since I can remember. During the last two weeks of December, we make them with the addition of dried cranberries and toasted pecans for Christmas time. -Brooke Maynard, Poughkeepsie, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2/3 cup blanched almonds
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
3 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Pulse almonds in a food processor until finely ground. Add flour, granulated sugar and salt; pulse until combined. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks and water. Add to almond butter mixture, and pulse until dough forms. Shape dough into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until easy to handle, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 325°. Divide dough into fourths. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into an 8-in. circle. Sprinkle with pecans and cranberries; lightly press into dough. Cut each circle into 12 wedges. Roll up wedges from the wide end; place point side down 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Curve ends to form crescents., Bake until lightly browned, 12-15 minutes. Carefully roll warm cookies in confectioners' sugar. Cool on wire racks. Sprinkle with additional confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 85 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 52mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

PECAN CRESCENT COOKIES



Pecan Crescent Cookies image

The recipe for these melt-in-your-mouth pecan crescent cookies has been in my family for years," says Marilynn Bonecki of Marengo, Illinois. "They can be made a couple of weeks in advance, but it's hard to keep them in the house that long." Be sure to chill the dough overnight before shaping and baking the cookies.

Provided by Marilynn Bonecki

Categories     Cookies     Dairy     Nut     Dessert     Bake     Christmas     Pecan     Winter     Bon Appétit     Illinois     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes about 3 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
1 cup pecans, toasted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine 1 cup all purpose flour, toasted pecans and salt in processor. Using on/off turns, finely chop pecans. Using electric mixer, beat butter, 3/4 cup powdered sugar and vanilla extract in large bowl until well blended. Add pecan mixture and remaining 1 cup flour and mix thoroughly. Divide dough in half. Wrap each half in plastic and refrigerate overnight.
  • Working with 1 tablespoon dough at a time, shape dough into 3-inch-long logs. Pinch ends of logs to taper and turn in slightly, forming crescents. Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart (cookies will not spread).
  • Bake cookies until light brown around edges and firm to touch, about 18 minutes. Cool cookies 10 minutes on baking sheets. Roll cookies in additional powdered sugar. Cool completely on racks. (Cookies can be prepared 2 weeks ahead. Store in airtight container.)

PECAN CRESCENTS



Pecan Crescents image

Pecan wedding cookies rolled in confectioner's sugar.

Provided by Cheryl

Categories     Desserts     Nut Dessert Recipes     Pecan Dessert Recipes

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup butter
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped pecans
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (170 degrees C).
  • Cream butter or margarine, gradually adding confectioners' sugar and salt. Cream until light and fluffy.
  • Stir in pecans and vanilla. Add flour gradually. Mix well. Shape dough into crescents using a teaspoon full for each crescent. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 15-30 minutes. Do not brown. Let cool slightly, then roll cookies in additional confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180.2 calories, Carbohydrate 11.9 g, Cholesterol 20.3 mg, Fat 14.3 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 5.4 g, Sodium 103.2 mg, Sugar 3 g

PECAN CRESCENT COOKIES



Pecan Crescent Cookies image

Melt in your mouth cookies. They were the rave this Christmas. Found the recipe years ago, and I just changed it ever so slightly. The chocolate and pecans on the ends makes all the difference! Make extra and freeze. Enjoy!!

Provided by glitter

Categories     Dessert

Time P1DT15m

Yield 30-36 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
either powdered sugar or superfine sugar
melted chocolate chips, for dipping ends
chopped pecans, for dipping

Steps:

  • Put the sugar in a food processor, or blender.
  • Give it a short whirl.
  • You want your sugar to be slightly finer than granulated sugar, but not powdered.
  • In a mixer blend the butter, sugar, water and vanilla.
  • Stir in the flour, pecans and salt gradually until well blended.
  • Form the dough into a ball.
  • Wrap with a plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight is best, but 2 hrs.
  • is fine.
  • When you're ready to begin, preheat the oven to 375*.
  • Take a Tblsp.
  • of dough and roll 2" rolls.
  • Place the rolls 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Curve each cookie like a moon.
  • Bake 15 min.
  • or until just lightly golden underneath.
  • Gentley lift off the sheet onto a wire rack.
  • Cool slightly.
  • Roll in superfine sugar and dip ends in melted chocolate then chopped pecans.
  • or dip both ends in chocolate then chopped pecans and when cool sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 116.5, Fat 8.8, SaturatedFat 4.1, Cholesterol 16.3, Sodium 82.5, Carbohydrate 8.6, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 1.9, Protein 1.3

Tips:

  • To make sure your kipferl are perfectly shaped, use a ruler to measure out the dough ropes before cutting them into pieces.
  • If you don't have a pastry board, you can use a clean kitchen counter or a large cutting board.
  • Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this will make the kipferl tough.
  • If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
  • If the dough is too dry, add a little more butter.
  • Bake the kipferl until they are golden brown and the edges are just starting to brown.
  • Let the kipferl cool completely before rolling them in powdered sugar.

Conclusion:

Pecan kipferl are a delicious and festive Christmas cookie that is sure to impress your friends and family. They are made with a simple dough that is filled with a sweet pecan filling and rolled in powdered sugar. These cookies are perfect for a holiday party or as a gift.

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