Easy Italian Almond Crescent Cookies Recipe
These Easy Italian Almond Crescent Cookies are delicate, buttery treats with a subtle almond flavor. Made from a simple dough of almonds, butter, flour, and sugar, these crescent-shaped cookies are perfect for festive occasions or everyday snacking. They bake to a golden perfection and can be dusted with icing sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20-24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup plain flour / all purpose flour (150g / 5.3oz)
- 1 ¼ cup almond meal (100g / 3.5oz) – can be substituted with finely crushed almonds or walnuts
- ½ cup icing sugar / powdered sugar (40g / 1.4oz)
Wet Ingredients
- 150 g butter, softened (not melted)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
To Garnish
- Icing sugar / powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix the plain flour, almond meal, and icing sugar. Create a well in the center of the mixture for the wet ingredients.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Mix: Add the softened butter, egg yolks, and vanilla essence into the well. Use your hands to gently work the mixture together until it forms a smooth dough.
- Chill the Dough: Place the dough into an airtight container or wrap it in cling film and chill it in the fridge for one hour to firm up and allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Trays: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Line two baking trays with baking paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop out heaping tablespoons of dough and shape each piece into a small crescent moon or any preferred shape. Place the cookies on the prepared trays, leaving about an inch between each for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until they turn golden and slightly firm to the touch.
- Cool and Garnish: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, optionally dust them with icing sugar before serving to add a sweet finish.
Notes
- Use softened butter—not melted—to ensure the right dough texture.
- Chilling the dough is essential to make shaping easier and to prevent spreading during baking.
- Almond meal can be substituted with finely crushed almonds or walnuts for variation.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- These cookies freeze well—store unbaked dough or baked cookies in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Italian cookies, almond crescent cookies, easy cookie recipe, holiday cookies, almond meal dessert
