Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 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

Instruction

  • 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.