German almond crescent cookies - gluten-free

These little german almond crescent cookies are perfect for Christmas Holidays. Crescent cookies are so special. They are simple cookies with almond flour, butter, and vanilla undertones. The best part is the powdered sugar on top. They look like little snow cookies.

There are no better cookies than these ones to make during December. Almond crescents are so festive and delicious.

The full recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THESE GERMAN ALMOND CRESCENT COOKIES

• Vegan – These german crescent cookies are perfect for your vegan friends or family! But these almond crescents are suitable for everyone, not only for vegans/vegetarians.
• Gluten-free –  These german vanilla crescent cookies are naturally gluten-free.
• Dairy-free - This recipe is also dairy-free.
• Easy to make – The full recipe is so easy and simple.
• Almond meal - This ingredient makes any dessert ten times better. It is naturally sweet which is perfect for this recipe.
• Dusted in powdered sugar - Powdered sugar makes everything better, right? If you find vanilla-flavored powdered sugar you will be blown away!

INGREDIENTS

• Gluten-free oat flour - This flour works best in the recipe. It is naturally sweet and it creates great texture in this recipe.
• Almond meal - What are german almond crescent cookies without almonds, right? This ingredient is very much needed!
• Baking powder - Just a little bit of baking powder is just fine. These crescent cookies are not supposed to be huge, but a little baking powder will make these melt in your mouth.
• Xanthan gum - This is a very important ingredient when making gluten-free cookies. The xanthan gum can combine everything easily.
• Powdered sugar - For the recipe, you will need only a few tablespoons. No need for more sugar because the cookies are dusted with more sugar later on.
• A pinch of salt - Salt enhances the flavors. Always add a pinch of salt to your sweet recipes.
• Vegan butter - This ingredient will make your cookies nice smooth and buttery.
• Vanilla extract - You can't miss this ingredient. Vanilla, almonds, and butter - a heavenly combination.
• Powdered sugar for dusting - vanilla flavored - If you can find it just use vanilla flavored one, if not, traditional powdered sugar will be just fine.

POSSIBLE INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS

This recipe is easily customizable. Here are some ideas:

• You can replace powdered sugar with the powdered sweetener of your choice.
• Vegan butter can be replaced with vegan margarine.
• You can also add protein powder to these crescent cookies.
• Don't have almonds? You can replace them with walnuts and create german walnut crescent cookies.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: First, prepare a large bowl and add dry ingredients, which are oat flour, almond meal, baking powder, xanthan gum, powdered sugar, and salt.

Step 2: Next, we need to add vegan butter and vanilla. Combine the dough until you have a thick and sticky consistency. You can use a stand mixer or knead the dough in your hands.

Step 3: The next step is to put the dough into a fridge for at least 30 minutes. The dough will be firmer and you will be able to create smooth crescent cookies easily.

Step 4: After 30 minutes remove the dough from the fridge and create crescent cookies with your hands. You can create about 20-25 crescent cookies from this dough depending on how big or small they are. Bake them on parchment paper for about 10 minutes or until golden from the sides.

Step 5: This is the last but very important step. When you take the crescent cookies out of the oven you have to dust them with powdered sugar. Bonus points if you can find vanilla-flavored powdered sugar because this type of sugar will make your cookies unbelievably delicious. Enjoy!

SERVING

Serve these vanilla almond crescent cookies dusted with powdered sugar on top. These are perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.

STORING

Store these easy german Christmas cookies with powdered sugar in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I don't recommend freezing them because the consistency might change.

Tips and tricks for successful vanilla crescents

1. Give your dough a time. Yes, the dough needs at least 30 minutes in the fridge. It will be better, firmer, and perfect for creating crescent cookies in your hands.
2. You have to add xanthan gum. This recipe is gluten-free and vegan and sometimes you have to add something that will combine your dough together. Unless you are using something else just add a little bit of xanthan gum.
3. Vanilla powdered sugar is a game-changer. I know, I know finding vanilla-flavored sugar can be challenging, but for this recipe, it's so worth it. Also, you can add vanilla bean powder to the sugar and create homemade vanilla sugar.
4. You can make almond meal easily at home using a food processor and whole almonds. Pulse them a few times and the almond meal will be just perfect.

FAQ

Can I use almond flour instead of almond meal?

No. This recipe calls specifically for an almond meal, not for almond flour. The almond meal gives these crescents a specific texture.

How to form crescent cookies?

Add 1 tbsp of the dough to your hands and create an oval shape. Bring the sides together and create a crescent shape. It should be very easy to do with your hands.

More Christmas desserts:

WHITE CHRISTMAS COCONUT BLISS BALLS
THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE LINZER COOKIES
SOFT GLUTEN-FREE GINGERBREAD COOKIES

IF YOU HAVE PINTEREST YOU CAN FOLLOW ME HERE, AND PIN THE FOLLOWING PICTURE ON THE CHRISTMAS RECIPES BOARD!

This post was created on 26.12.2020 and updated on 19.12.2022.