Name: Vanilla crescent cookies according to great-grandmother's recipe – a tradition that smells of Christmas
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 250 g plain flour; 200 g butter (room temperature); 100 g powdered sugar; 100 g ground walnuts (or almonds); 1 packet vanilla sugar; a pinch of salt; powdered sugar mixed with vanilla for coating

Vanilla crescent cookies according to great-grandmother's recipe – a tradition that smells of Christmas

Vanilla crescent cookies according to great-grandmother's recipe – a tradition that smells of Christmas recept

Easy to prepare
16 portions
50 minutes

Jan, 17. 12. 2025

Each year I return to them. I bake them from autumn, sometimes twice a week – because they disappear faster than I can clean the tray. Vanilla crescents according to great-grandmother’s recipe are delicate, crumbly, fragrant and so nostalgic that time stands still when they’re around. The scent of vanilla, butter and nuts can create the true Christmas atmosphere even on an ordinary day.

For 16 portions

Ingredients

250 g plain flour
200 g butter (room temperature)
100 g powdered sugar
100 g ground walnuts (or almonds)
1 packet vanilla sugar
a pinch of salt
powdered sugar mixed with vanilla for coating

Preparation procedure

In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, vanilla sugar, salt and ground nuts.
Add the softened butter and work into a smooth, compact dough.
Wrap the finished dough in cling film and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Shape small crescents from the dough – not too thin, so they don't break.
Transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 180 °C for 10–12 minutes, until they begin to lightly brown.
While still warm, coat the crescents in a mixture of powdered and vanilla sugar.
Let cool and then store in a sealed container.

Tip: Instead of walnuts you can use hazelnuts or almonds. If you want a milder flavor, add a little grated lemon zest.

Preparation time and number of servings

Total time: 50 minutes
Active preparation: 20 minutes
Number of servings: approximately 40 crescents

Why you’ll love them

This old family recipe carries the charm of simplicity and honest flavor. Vanilla crescents are a symbol of Christmas, tradition and home. The delicate, buttery dough melts on the tongue, and when the scent spreads through the whole kitchen, it’s clear the holidays are at the door. They also make a great edible gift – elegant, fragrant and made with love.

Conclusion

If there is a cookie that never disappoints, it’s precisely the vanilla crescents made according to great-grandmother’s recipe. They are among the treasures of Czech cuisine and remind us that the most beautiful moments are often the simplest. Bake them with love, share with your family and allow yourself a quiet moment with a cup of coffee and a piece of cookie that smells like home.