Vanillekipferl Recipe: Austrian Crescent Cookies for Christmas 2026

Vanillekipferl are the delicate crescent-shaped cookies that fill Austrian bakeries and kitchens every December. Made with butter, ground almonds, and a generous dusting of vanilla sugar, they have a tender crumb and a melt-in-the-mouth finish that makes them impossible to resist.

This version comes together quickly: a simple dough, a short chill, and a 12-15 minute bake. The dough is shaped into small logs and curved into crescents before baking, then rolled in vanilla sugar while still warm so the coating clings beautifully.

Serve them alongside coffee or as part of a holiday cookie spread. They keep well in an airtight tin, which means you can bake a batch ahead and enjoy them all season long.

Ingredients for Vanillekipferl

For 20 cookies

• 220 g all-purpose flour
• 120 g butter, at room temperature
• 100 g almond flour
• 1 medium egg, at room temperature
• 100 g sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar (1 for the dough and 1 for the coating)
• 1 pinch salt
• 60 g powdered sugar

How to Make Vanillekipferl Step by Step

1. Combine the dough ingredients

In a bowl, combine 220 g all-purpose flour, 120 g room-temperature butter, 100 g almond flour, 1 medium room-temperature egg, 100 g sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar, and 1 pinch salt.

2. Knead the dough

Mix and knead by hand or with a mixer just until you get a smooth, homogeneous dough. Be careful not to overmix, as that can make the cookies tough.

3. Shape and chill the dough

Form the dough into a square (this makes it easier to divide into portions), wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

4. Divide the dough

Preheat the oven to 175 °C (350 °F). Meanwhile, divide the dough into 20 equal portions.

5. Roll into strips

With each portion of dough, roll into strips about 15 cm long, with the ends slightly thinner than the center.

6. Shape into crescents

Arrange the dough strips on a baking sheet with the ends pointing toward the center, curving them into crescent shapes.

7. Bake the cookies

Bake the Vanillekipferl for 12-15 minutes, until they just begin to turn golden.

8. Coat in vanilla sugar

In a bowl, mix 60 g powdered sugar with 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar. Remove the cookies from the oven and, while still warm, carefully roll them in the sugar mixture.

9. Cool completely

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Once cold, you can store them in a metal tin or an airtight glass container.

10. Serve

Once cooled, the cookies are ready to serve. To keep any leftovers, store them in a metal tin or an airtight glass container.

Tips for the Best Vanillekipferl

Make your own vanilla sugar

You can buy vanilla sugar ready-made or make it at home by mixing empty vanilla pods (already used in other recipes) with sugar in a sealed jar. If using homemade, use 2 tablespoons instead of 2 teaspoons, as commercial vanilla sugar is more intense.

Choose your coating moment

These Austrian cookies can be rolled in sugar while hot, straight from the oven, so the sugar is less visible but caramelizes better onto the cookie. Alternatively, roll them when cold for a full coating, though the final flavor changes slightly.

Storage and serving

Although typical and originally from Austria, these cookies can also be found in Germany year-round, but traditionally they are made in December. Vanillekipferl are ideal for serving after a meal or with coffee. To store, keep them in an airtight container.

30 Favorite Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

Maybe you're wired the same way I am: your kitchen rotation is a blend of cozy standbys, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a deeply rich Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when only fruit-forward comfort will do, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For quick morning meals and lighter plates, I regularly whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever my pantry needs a gluten-free basic, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

On evenings built around tapas and Mediterranean tastes, I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever the occasion calls for a little extra polish.

For stick-to-your-ribs midday meals and comforting suppers, my go-tos are this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something even more substantial, I turn to this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the supremely cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime street food or party fare is on my mind, I'll throw together this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a light starter or snack.

And when I'm hosting and mixing drinks to go with a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this sweet Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring it all together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or capping the meal with this dramatic Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

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After countless rounds of testing and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely cook on repeat—whether it's a fast solo meal or something festive for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the lush, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is my pick when I want a dessert that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another treat I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly done Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For more filling comfort fare, I frequently suggest the crowd-pleasing Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is yet another category I turn to often, since it delivers speed without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply comforting without any gluten.

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