Tender, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth, Almond Crescent Cookies are the ultimate treat for anyone who loves a delicate cookie with a subtle nutty flavor and a whisper of sweetness. These cookies are beloved for good reason: they’re both classically elegant and irresistibly simple, dusted with a luxurious shower of powdered sugar that clings to every crescent. Whether you’re making them for the holidays or as a cozy afternoon pick-me-up, there’s no resisting their nostalgic charm and deliciously crumbly bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
While the ingredient list for Almond Crescent Cookies is blissfully short, each element brings something special to the table: rich butter for tenderness, fragrant extracts for layered flavor, finely ground almonds for texture, and snowy powdered sugar for that signature finish. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, room temperature): Ensures your cookies turn out beautifully rich and tender–don’t substitute with margarine if you want that classic flavor.
- Powdered Sugar (1/2 cup, plus extra for dusting): Dissolves seamlessly into the dough, creating a soft, delicate sweetness, and gives a beautiful finishing touch.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the almond flavor and adds warmth; pure extract makes a noticeable difference.
- Almond Extract (1/2 teaspoon): This is the magic ingredient for truly aromatic Almond Crescent Cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The sturdy backbone of these cookies, delivering just enough structure to keep them together.
- Finely Ground Blanched Almonds (1 cup): Contributes a tender crumb and a subtle, lingering nuttiness; almond flour is a great shortcut if you have it on hand.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just a touch heightens all the other flavors and balances sweetness.
How to Make Almond Crescent Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this not only keeps the cookies from sticking but also gives you an easy clean-up later. Getting this step out of the way lets you focus completely on the fun part: making the dough!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Grab a large mixing bowl and use a hand or stand mixer to beat the room-temperature butter with the powdered sugar. You’ll want to mix until it’s light, creamy, and fluffy—this incorporates air, resulting in cloudlike cookies! If you’re tempted, sneak a tiny taste to appreciate the sweet, rich base you’re creating.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Almond Extracts
Pour in the vanilla extract first for warmth, followed by the almond extract, which instantly fills your kitchen with that irresistible marzipan aroma. Mix well so that every bite of your Almond Crescent Cookies will have perfectly balanced flavor.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, finely ground almonds, and salt. This ensures that the almonds are evenly distributed and keeps the salt from clumping anywhere in the dough.
Step 5: Mix Dough Together
Gradually add the dry mixture to your creamy butter mixture. Mix on low speed—or use a wooden spoon—until the dough just comes together. It should feel soft but not sticky, with a gentle richness from those ground almonds.
Step 6: Shape the Crescents
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll each piece between your palms before gently shaping it into a crescent moon. Place your crescents about an inch apart on the prepared baking sheets—they won’t spread much, but giving them a little space helps them bake evenly.
Step 7: Bake and Sugar the Cookies
Slide your tray into the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, just until the bottoms are lightly golden but the tops remain pale. Let them cool on their trays for a few minutes—then, while still warm but not hot, roll the cookies in extra powdered sugar. Move to a wire rack to cool completely, and dust a bit more powdered sugar on top for the prettiest finish.
How to Serve Almond Crescent Cookies
Garnishes
A generous snow-like dusting of powdered sugar is the classic touch, but if you want to get a little fancy, sprinkle a few toasted almond slivers or a grating of dark chocolate over the top. These subtle additions complement the delicate cookie without overpowering its simplicity.
Side Dishes
Pair Almond Crescent Cookies with a robust cup of espresso, hot chocolate, or a floral tea—each sip and nibble is made better with the other. If you’re serving a dessert platter, they also shine next to creamy vanilla ice cream or a bowl of mixed fresh fruit.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these crescent-shaped cookies in a starburst on a vintage plate for a charming tea party centerpiece. For gifting, stack them gently in a rustic tin lined with parchment and add a handwritten note. At holiday gatherings, pile them high on a cake stand for irresistible, snowy allure.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Almond Crescent Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously tender for up to a week—just tuck a sheet of parchment paper between layers to keep the cookies from sticking to each other.
Freezing
To save some for a rainy day, freeze baked and cooled cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container, separating layers with parchment. They’ll keep well for up to two months—just thaw at room temperature and re-dust with powdered sugar before serving for that just-baked look.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat Almond Crescent Cookies, but if you want to gently refresh them, place on a baking sheet in a 275°F (135°C) oven for 5 minutes. Let them cool, then give another dusting of powdered sugar for renewed softness and flavor.
FAQs
Can I make Almond Crescent Cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free baking blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum for structure), and these cookies will still bake up beautifully tender.
Can I use almond flour instead of grinding my own almonds?
Absolutely. Almond flour is actually the perfect shortcut for this recipe, ensuring a superfine texture. Swap it in cup-for-cup for the ground almonds for equally dreamy results.
Why do the cookies need to be rolled in powdered sugar while warm?
Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while they’re still warm creates a gorgeous coating that gently melts and sticks, giving each crescent that signature, velvety finish.
What’s the secret to shaping perfect crescents?
Take a portion of dough, roll it into a small log, and then curve the ends toward each other—it helps to keep your palms cool and work quickly so the butter in the dough doesn’t melt.
Do Almond Crescent Cookies ship well for gifting?
Yes, they’re actually quite sturdy! Stack them with parchment between layers in a cookie tin or sturdy box and they’ll arrive at your friend’s doorstep looking (and tasting) heavenly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something sweet that tastes like a loving hug from an old friend, Almond Crescent Cookies are truly a must-try. They’re easy, elegant, and absolutely delicious—give them a spot in your baking rotation and share the magic with someone you love!
Print
Almond Crescent Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicate and nutty, these Almond Crescent Cookies are a classic holiday treat that melts in your mouth. With a perfect balance of buttery flavor and almond essence, these crescent-shaped cookies are coated in a dusting of powdered sugar, adding a touch of sweetness to every bite.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely ground blanched almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- extra powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground almonds, and salt.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and shape each into a crescent. Place on baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Finish and Serve: Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar, cool on a wire rack, and dust with more powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- For a finer texture, use almond flour instead of ground almonds.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
