Grain-Free Crescent Cookies

13 Reviews
Published Dec 19, 2019 ∙ Kristina Stosek

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Indulge in the ultimate holiday cookie treat with our Grain-Free Crescent Cookies—a gluten-free gourmet sweet treat that will bring your festive dessert platter to new heights. These 6-Ingredient Grain-Free Crescent Cookies are nothing short of extraordinary. And this recipe is egg and gluten-free!

DUSTINGGRAIN FREE CRESCENT COOKIES WITH POWDERED SUGAR

GRAIN-FREE COOKIE FOR YOUR COOKIE COLLECTION

There’s always room for another delicious gluten-free cookie in your collection, and trust us, these cookies disappear faster than you can imagine. You can always have a few of these sweet treats on hand.

The nostalgic connection to my Eastern European childhood makes these gluten-free crescent cookies even more special. In our household, a crescent cookie was a must-have on the holiday cookie platter, and recreating that tradition without gluten and grains became a personal challenge. 

The result? A grain-free crescent cookie that surpasses my fondest childhood memories.

Let’s dive into the details of these heavenly grain-free crescent cookies.

Six-Ingredient Grain-Free Crescent Cookies: A Holiday Treat

The beauty of this egg-free and gluten-free recipe lies in its simplicity—just six ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating the perfect cookie.

  1. Almond Flour: The foundation of our grain-free cookie.
  2. Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and adds flavor.
  3. Vanilla: Enhances the overall taste, making the cookies addictive and smell so GOOD!.
  4. Butter: Introduces richness for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  5. Finely Chopped Pecans: Adds a tasty crunch and livens up a basic cookie.
  6. Optional Powdered Sugar Coating: A festive finishing touch that enhances the cookie’s beauty and brings back nostalgia.

CRESCENT COOKIES ON PARCHMENT PAPER

The Story Behind Crescent Cookies

Before we dive into the magic of our grain-free crescent cookies, let’s answer an important question: Why are crescent cookies shaped like a moon?

A Rich History

  • Origins: These crescent-shaped cookies come from German immigrants who brought them to America.
  • Widespread Popularity: They are enjoyed during the holidays in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Germany, Hungary, and Italy.
  • Classic Ingredients: Originally made with walnuts and almonds, they were often dusted with vanilla sugar for added sweetness.

The Meaning of the Shape

  • Crescent Inspiration: The unique crescent shape is believed to celebrate the victory of the Habsburg Monarchy over the Ottoman Empire.
  • Legend: After a key victory in the Austrian-Ottoman conflict, Viennese bakers created cookies that resembled crescent moons, symbolizing the flag of the Osman Empire.

More Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies to Explore

Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies

Gluten Free Linzer Cookie Recipe

Gluten-Free Chocolate Swirl Shortbread Cookies

Gluten Free Cranberry Pistachio Cookies 

Celebrate the Holidays with Grain-Free Crescent Cookies

Our Grain-Free Crescent Cookies aren’t just a tasty treat for your holiday table—they represent cultural heritage.

  • Nostalgic Flavors: These cookies recreate the flavors of childhood and are always the highlight of any holiday cookie platter.
  • Focus on Taste: Don’t worry if your crescent cookies aren’t picture-perfect; their delicious flavor is what truly matters.
  • Storage: Enjoy them chilled, and they’ll stay fresh for up to seven days when stored in an airtight container.

Celebrate your holidays with these exceptional Grain-Free Crescent Cookies. With a rich history and the irresistible blend of almond flour, powdered sugar, butter, and pecans, every bite is created for deliciousness.

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Kristina x

Grain-Free Crescent Cookies

13 reviews
Published Dec 19, 2019 · Kristina Stosek
Prep Time:
15 min
Cooking Time:
18 min
Serves:
28

Ingredients

2 cups (224 g) GF almond flour
1/2 cup GF powdered sugar plus some for coating (not all powdered sugar is gluten-free)
1/4 tsp. Fine sea salt
6 Tbsp. Unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp. Pure vanilla extract
1 cup (100 g) finely chopped pecans (it is important for them to be finely chopped)

Instructions

  1. Sift together almond flour, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and salt
  2. Add softened butter and vanilla and mix until the dough sticks together. Mix in pecans. Chill the dough for 15 minutes
  3. After 15 minutes, roll a tablespoon of dough into a small log and shape into a crescent. Continue with remaining dough
  4. Place cookies 1-inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 325 F for 15 - 17 minutes until the cookies start to golden around the edges
  5. Carefully transfer cookies onto a cooling rack and cool for 10 minutes
  6. Place some powdered sugar in a small bowl and carefully coat the cookie. Or leave the cookies closer together on the cooling rack and give them a good dusting with the powdered sugar.
  7. Note; Leave the cookies out overnight, this allows them to harden. Then refrigerate until ready to serve

Nutrition Info

  • Nutritional Value per Cookie | Calories: 104 | Total Fat: 9 g | Sodium: 25 mg | Total Carbohydrates: 6 g | Dietary Fiber: 1 g | Sugars: 2 g | Protein: 2 g | Key Nutritional Highlights -> Almond Flour: Provides healthy fats and protein. | Pecans: Contribute additional healthy fats, fiber, and protein. | Note: These values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

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Comments

  1. Candace

    My Hungarian grandma cried when I made these saying they tasted just like her mother’s (Nagy mama). So thank you for the lovely recipe, they are a go to for all my family gatherings and now have introduced them to many friends (with and without gluten intolerances). Thanks for helping me keep the traditions and memories alive. Oh and they’re absolutely delicious!

  2. Kristina

    thank you Candace for sharing, you made my day!

  3. Cat

    Hi um can I use maple or monk fruit sugar instead of powdered sugar I try to avoid powdered sugar

  4. Kristina

    Cat, I have not made it with either of those, but if they are powdered it should work. Please let us know how they turned out. Thank you

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