Christmas Crescent Cookies Recipe by InfoStarBase

Celebrate the holiday season with our delightful Christmas Crescent Cookies, a buttery treat that melts in your mouth and is perfect for festive gatherings! These cookies are not only easy to make but also an excellent addition to any holiday cookie platter. With their crescent shapes and elegant powdered sugar coating, these cookies are bound to impress family and friends and will quickly become a cherished holiday tradition. Let’s dive into the details of this delightful yet straightforward recipe.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. butter (2 sticks): Ensure it’s softened; this is key for a creamy texture.
• 2 cups flour: All-purpose flour works best to give the cookies structure.
• 2 cups chopped pecans: These add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
• 5 tablespoons sugar: Just enough to sweeten without overwhelming.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: This brings a lovely aroma and flavor.
• 1 tablespoon water: Helps to bring the dough together smoothly.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
• Powdered sugar: For rolling the cookies after baking; this gives them a beautiful finish.

Instructions

Preheat Oven

Start by setting your oven to 325°F (160°C) and preheating it while you prepare the cookie dough. This temperature is ideal for baking these delicate cookies gently, ensuring they cook evenly without browning too quickly.

Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and sugar. Using an electric mixer or a sturdy whisk, cream these together until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the dough, making your cookies tender and light. Take your time with this step; it’s essential for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Add Flavorings

Once your butter and sugar are well creamed, mix in the vanilla extract and water until thoroughly combined. These liquid ingredients enhance the flavor profile, making your cookies aromatic and delicious. Vanilla is a classic holiday-baking flavor, and adding water helps keep the dough from becoming too dense.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Sifting is crucial as it aerates the flour and ensures an even distribution of the salt. Gradually stir this dry mixture into the wet butter mixture. Be gentle as you combine them; overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the flour is fully incorporated and you see no dry patches.

Add Pecans

With your dough now formed, fold in the chopped pecans. The nuts will provide a delightful crunch that complements the buttery cookie base. Stir just enough to distribute the pecans throughout the dough evenly—do so gently to maintain the cookie’s light texture.

Shape the Cookies

Take small portions of the dough, roughly the size of a walnut, and roll them into crescent shapes. To achieve the traditional crescent shape, gently curve the dough as you mold it, creating the iconic crescent. Place these shaped cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

Bake

Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them; they should remain pale with just a hint of color on the edges. If they darken too much, they can lose their melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Roll in Powdered Sugar

While the cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat. This step is essential, as the warmth will help the sugar stick, creating a delightful, sweet crust that offsets the nuttiness of the pecans. Allow them to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Cool Completely

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. This cooling process sets the texture and allows the flavors to meld together. Once cool, they can be rolled in powdered sugar again if you desire a thicker, snow-like coating.

Final Touch

Present these cookies on a festive platter and watch them disappear from the holiday table. Ideal for sharing or enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa, our Christmas Crescent Cookies will bring warmth and joy to this special season. Enjoy the delightful tradition of baking and sharing these cookies with loved ones, savoring each buttery bite during your holiday celebrations!