Vanilla Kipferl

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

Ingredients

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

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the powdered sugar and ground almonds.
2. Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the tip of a knife. Add the seeds to the flour mixture (if using vanilla extract, add it later).
3. Add the cold butter pieces and work the dough with your fingertips until it resembles coarse sand.
4. Add the egg yolk (and the vanilla extract at this stage if you did not use the bean) and knead quickly until the dough is smooth and homogeneous.
5. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
7. Divide the chilled dough into small pieces of about 10 g each. Roll each piece into a small cylinder, then gently curve it into a crescent shape.
8. Arrange the Kipferl on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden.
10. Remove the cookies from the oven and, while still warm, roll them in vanilla sugar until evenly coated.
11. Allow the Vanillekipferl to cool completely before serving.

Curiosities

The crescent shape of the Vanillekipferl is said to symbolize the victory of European troops over the Turks, which is why they are widespread across many parts of Central Europe.

Enjoy preparing and tasting these delicious cookies with their unique flavor!