North Croatian Vanilla Cookies Vanila Kifli
Delightfully tender and deeply aromatic, North Croatian Vanilla Cookies, or Vanila Kifli, are a timeless treat that embody the cozy charm of Croatian baking traditions. These crescent-shaped cookies are made with a buttery dough enriched with ground walnuts or almonds, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs perfectly with their signature coating of vanilla-infused powdered sugar. Quick to prepare and baked to perfection in under 15 minutes, these cookies are ideal for holiday gatherings, coffee breaks, or as a sweet homemade gift. The blend of vanilla sugar, rich nuts, and delicate butter creates an irresistible flavor that only gets better with time, making Vanila Kifli the perfect addition to your cookie jar.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 280 grams All-purpose flour
- 200 grams Unsalted butter, cold
- 80 grams Powdered sugar
- 10 grams Vanilla sugar
- 100 grams Ground walnuts (or almonds)
- 1 piece Egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 100 grams Extra powdered sugar (for dusting)
- 10 grams Vanilla sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and ground walnuts (or almonds). Mix until evenly distributed.
Cut the cold unsalted butter into small cubes and add it to the dry ingredients. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the mixture. Gently knead the dough just until it comes together. Avoid overworking the dough to keep the cookies tender.
Divide the dough into two portions and shape each into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to firm up.
Remove one disc of dough from the refrigerator. Pinch off small pieces of dough (around 10 grams each) and roll them into small ropes about 5 cm (2 inches) long. Curve each piece into a crescent shape and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the dough has been used, working in batches if needed.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just slightly golden. Do not overbake, as they should remain pale and tender.
While the cookies are still warm, mix the extra powdered sugar and vanilla sugar in a shallow bowl. Carefully coat each cookie in the sugar mixture, ensuring even coverage, then place on a wire rack to cool completely.
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Their flavor deepens over time, making them even more delicious!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3958 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 234.7 g | 301% | |
| Saturated Fat | 110.8 g | 554% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 621 mg | 207% | |
| Sodium | 45 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 428.5 g | 156% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.3 g | 51% | |
| Total Sugars | 202.7 g | ||
| Protein | 48.5 g | 97% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 202 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 16.5 mg | 92% | |
| Potassium | 812 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
