It feels like years since I’ve blogged or even read a blog … in reality it’s been just over a week. My work-life collided with real-life and I had to put writing on hold. We rarely order take-out food and this week we ordered take-out food two nights in a row!
Fortunately, I’m back at it again and writing about these wonderful little cookies of Austrian origin flavored with almonds. I love how tender and crisp the crescents turn out. Perfect with a cup of tea or as a night-time snack, I think you’ll enjoy this fab cookie.
Almond flavoring is one of those things I equate with Christmas. Do others feel this way? My mother makes a cookie at holiday time which uses almond flavoring, and for me the flavor ushers in cold winter nights and presents under a tree. This recipe uses both ground almonds and almond flavoring, but I think it’s good for any time of the year.
Almond Crescents
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup slivered almonds, ground
1 cup flour
1 tsp. almond flavoring
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Beat the butter until smooth and slightly fluffy, about 1 minute. Add ground almonds, sugar, flour, flavoring, and salt. Mix to combine. The dough will be soft.
Coat two cookie sheets with cooking spray or butter. Take a teaspoon of dough and roll between the palms of your hands until it forms a 3″ rope. While rolling the dough in your hands, try to make the rope slightly more plump in the center and tapered at the ends. Place onto cookie sheet and shape into a curved crescent. Space cookies about 1″ apart.
Bake in a 325 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until edges begin to take on a golden tone. Allow to cool, then dust with powdered sugar.
The cookies are basically a shortbread and melt in your mouth. I found it hard to stop eating them. Within a day, it was time to make a second batch :-) This time I decided to play with the flavors a bit. Instead of almonds, I used pecans. And, I replaced the almond flavoring with vanilla. I also added a teaspoon of crushed anise seed along with the zest of 1 lemon.
The second batch was good, but not as exciting as I’d hoped and they need a bit more work. The pecans made the cookies even more tender, which I liked. The anise seed did not add as much flavor as I’d hoped, so next time I would either increase the amount or consider adding anise flavoring.
The second batch of cookies are now gone and it’s time to do grocery shopping for the week ahead. I’m needing to eat fewer cookies and more fresh fruit and veggies. I have horrible will power so we’ll see how long this lasts. This may be the last cookies you see me make for awhile … unless I can figure out how to squeeze more carrots and asparagus into them.
Later this week, I’ll be trying out a fresh vegetable/fruit delivery service from a local organic farmer. For $29 they deliver a box of fresh produce to your house – I’ve signed up for a delivery every other week, beginning this Friday. I’ll share more info and photos about the delivery once I get it.
Now, it’s time to go read all of my favorite food blogs …
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Allen, welcome back. A Greek version of these cookies are called Koutabiedes…it seems many countries like this type of cookie.
I’ve always wanted to make these. Yep, almond flavor for me = Christmas. My mom made loads of xmas cookies with almond in them.
Cute cookies! I wondered where you went. I was starting to worry that you’d been abducted by Sandra Lee and been forced at spatula point to attend one of her boozy table-scaped dinner parties. Good to know that I don’t have to rescue you from her cool whip using clutches.
Welcome back Allen and what lovely cookies you made! I hear you about eating more fruit and veggies. I’d love to know what you get in your delivered box as well. CAn’t wait.
Yeah, a night time snack! I could use a few right now. :) Those look so good!
“I found it hard to stop eating them. Within a day, it was time to make a second batch :-)”
Oh, Allen. Hahaha. I’m kidding. This is from the guy who eats a roll of Oreos a day at a time. The cookies remind me strangely enough of Chinese food. I dunno, it’s almonds!! They look smooth and deceptively light.
We’ve missed you round these parts Allen (aww). Excited to see your fruit and veggie cookin’ :)
Thanks Allen – now I can continue to read my fav food blog now that you’re back in business! – q
Mmmmmhhhhh, Mandelhoernchen have always been one of my favourites.
Allen, this looks great! Cute cookies, I am sure they taste great! I’ve tried them in Turkey I think. Oh, do you mean my blog is one of your favs and you are going to read it now?:))) Am I modest or what:)))))))Cheers!
Here I thought you’d be coming back with tales of a great vacation full of new adventures and exotic food. Oh well. I too am glad you’re back!
Those look good. My mother used to make them for the holidays every year though I have not had them for a while.
We ended up having take out twice last week as well as eating out twice…. but that was all part of celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary as well as a busy work week. Great to see you back blogging and with a great treat too.
I made similar cookies once, a long time ago (when I only had the blog in Portuguese) – it was a recipe from one of my Donna Hay’s books, called almond Greek cookies. It was a good thing I made them to give as a gift, otherwise I would have eaten the whole batch in minutes.
These look wonderful, Allen, make a batch for me too, please! :)
Peter M: Glad to be back :-) There’s a reason this cookie is common to so many countries … it only takes one bite to see why!
Recipegirl: My goal is to use almond flavoring more often, it just tastes so good.
Erin: Oh dear god, no — I was not abducted by Ms. Lee … what a horrid, horrid thought ….
Peter G: I have wickedly bad will power … as you can see from my recent banana and orange muffins … at least they contain fruit :-)
Elle: Thank you!
Manggy: Chinese? Hmmm, not all almond cookies are Chinese :-) Glad to know I was missed — you’re all far too kind!
Anonymous (aka Queenie): I’m slowly getting back up to speed.
Sylvie: I agree — now it’s one of my favorites too.
Farida: You are one of my faves, don’t be so silly :-)
Paula: Oh, I wish I had grand vacations stories to tell … but unfortunately, no. Maybe later this year.
Kevin: Thanks!
Ruth: Congratulations on the anniversary!!! Sometimes you just have to give into life and roll with it … a few take-out dinners are a nice way to make it through the week sometimes.
Patricia: I’m glad that you now also blog in English! Unfortunately, your box shipped yesterday and without any cookies :-(