Oh, these little bites of heaven! My German college roommate made them for me one Christmas, and honestly, I’ve been dreaming about them ever since. They have this incredible, slightly sweet, slightly savory flavor that just melts in your mouth. They’re so unique, and everyone I share them with falls instantly in love. Seriously, be prepared to share the recipe!
**Christmas Morning Pastries (Vanillekipferl inspired!)**
These have a delicate, crumbly texture with a wonderful almond and vanilla aroma that will fill your kitchen. They’re perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, any time of year, but especially magical during the holidays.
**Here’s what you’ll need:**
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
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* 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
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* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but SO good!)
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* 2 cups all-purpose flour
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* 1/2 cup finely ground almonds or almond flour
**Let’s make some magic:**
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
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2. Beat in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using).
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3. Gradually add the flour and ground almonds, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix!
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4. The dough will be a little crumbly, which is normal. You can either chill it for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle, or work with it right away.
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5. Pinch off small pieces of dough and shape them into crescent moons or small logs. If it’s too crumbly, just press it together firmly!
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6. Place the shaped dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
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7. Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn lightly golden. They should remain pale.
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8. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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9. Once cooled, generously dust them with powdered sugar.
**A little tip from my kitchen:** The key to their delicate texture is gentle handling and not overbaking. And if you love that almond flavor, don’t skip the ground almonds! Enjoy!