vanilla croissants

Vanilla Crescents – A Traditional Delicacy for Every Occasion

Who doesn’t love the sweet aroma of vanilla crescents? This delicious dessert, with a tender texture and a subtle nutty flavor, is perfect to enjoy alongside a cup of coffee or tea. Moreover, it’s a simple and quick recipe, ideal for those moments when you want to bring a touch of joy to your home. Making vanilla crescents will remind you of the times spent in the kitchen with loved ones.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 20-25 crescents

Necessary ingredients:

- 250 grams of flour (preferably type 000 for a fine texture)
- 200 grams of margarine (or butter, for a richer taste)
- 100 grams of ground nuts (the nuts add a refined flavor and pleasant texture)
- 70 grams of powdered sugar (for a delicate sweetness)
- 1 egg yolk (to bind the ingredients and provide a tender texture)
- Powdered sugar and 2 sachets of vanilla sugar (for rolling after baking)

Preparation:

1. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, diced margarine, ground nuts, and powdered sugar. Use your fingers to knead the ingredients until you achieve a homogeneous mixture, resembling bread crumbs. It’s important not to over-knead, as we want to maintain the tender texture.

2. Adding the yolk: Add the egg yolk and gently knead until it is incorporated into the mixture. At this stage, you can use a kitchen mixer with paddles to speed up the process, but be careful not to turn it into an elastic dough.

3. Chilling the dough: Once the dough is ready, form it into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step is essential to allow the ingredients to settle and to facilitate shaping the crescents.

4. Shaping the crescents: After the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and divide it into small pieces, the size of a walnut. Take each piece of dough and shape it between your palms to form small crescents. You can give them a slightly curved shape, characteristic of crescents.

5. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Place the crescents on an ungreased baking tray, leaving space between them to allow for expansion. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until they become slightly golden. Be careful not to let them brown too much, as they can become bitter.

6. Rolling in sugar: Once the crescents have cooled slightly, roll them in the mixture of powdered sugar and vanilla sugar. This step will give them a wonderful aroma and a storybook appearance.

Practical tips:

- Choosing ingredients: Use high-quality margarine or butter for a richer taste. If you want a more intense nut flavor, you can lightly toast the nuts before grinding them.
- Variations: You can add extra flavors, such as grated lemon or orange zest, to give a fresh note to your crescents.
- Serving: Vanilla crescents are perfect to be served with coffee, but also to be given as gifts in beautifully decorated boxes, along with a personalized card.

Nutritional benefits:

These crescents have a moderate calorie content, being a dessert that can be enjoyed in moderation. The nuts provide healthy fats, proteins, and antioxidants, adding a boost of nutrients. The total calories for a serving of crescents are approximately 70-80, depending on their size.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use another type of flour? Yes, you can experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free flour, but the texture and taste may vary.
- How can I store the crescents? Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh for a few days.
- Can they be frozen? Yes, the crescents can be frozen. Make sure to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn.

These vanilla crescents are not just a dessert but a true culinary experience that brings memories and joy. Whether you prepare them for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself, I’m sure they will delight your taste buds and those of your loved ones. Enjoy every bite!