Walnut Crescents

Tender Nut Crescents – A Homemade Delight

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 24 crescents

If you are looking for a simple and quick recipe for a delicious dessert, nut crescents are the perfect choice. These tender and aromatic treats, with an easy-to-handle dough, will delight both kids and adults. Without the need to roll out the dough, this recipe will provide you with a pleasant experience and the desired result.

Ingredients:
- 250 g butter (or margarine) at room temperature
- 200 g sour cream (ideally with a higher fat content)
- 500 g flour
- 100 g powdered sugar (plus extra for decoration)
- 200 g ground nuts
- 1 packet of baking powder
- 1 vanilla essence or lemon zest (optional)
- A pinch of salt

Preparation instructions:

1. In a large bowl, add the butter at room temperature and the powdered sugar. Use a mixer or spatula to mix the ingredients well until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth. This step is essential for achieving a tender dough.

2. Add the sour cream, vanilla essence or lemon zest, along with a pinch of salt, and continue to mix until fully incorporated.

3. In another bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet composition, mixing with a spatula or your hands until you obtain a soft but homogeneous dough. There is no need to knead excessively; otherwise, the crescents will become hard.

4. Finally, add the ground nuts and incorporate them well into the dough. This is a key ingredient that will add flavor and texture to your crescents.

5. Preheat the oven to 180°C (medium). In the meantime, prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

6. From the dough, form small balls of about 20 g each. Shape them into semicircles or rings, then place them on the tray, leaving a little space between them to allow for expansion during baking.

7. Bake the crescents for 25 minutes or until they become slightly golden. Be careful, as they will bake quickly, and overbaking can make them less tender.

8. After removing them from the oven, let the crescents cool slightly, then you can sprinkle them with powdered sugar for an elegant look and a sweet taste.

Practical tips:
- If you want an even more intense flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of almond essence to the dough.
- You can replace the nuts with hazelnuts or almonds, depending on your preferences.
- These crescents can be stored in airtight containers for a few days, but they are so delicious that they might not last that long.

Serving suggestion:
Serve the crescents with a cup of aromatic tea or coffee, turning them into an ideal dessert for a gathering with friends or for a relaxing afternoon. These nut crescents are also perfect for gifting, beautifully wrapped in a decorative box.

Enjoy this simple nut crescent recipe and let the delicious aromas fill your home!