These cookies hold a very special place in my heart. They’ve been my favorite cookies ever since I was a kid, and they’re a favorite Christmas tradition in my family. My grandmother grew up in Germany before moving to the United States following World War II. These cookies are one of the traditions she brought over from her home country. In German, they’re called Vanillekipferl, but to my family they’ve always been known as “Moon Man Cookies,” because of their crescent moon shape.
These cookies are soft, with a bit of crunch from the almonds. They’re full of oatmeal and topped with a generous amount of powdered sugar. When I was a kid, I was never crazy about chocolate (I know I know, this is totally nuts, but true). Instead, I loved all things vanilla and almond, so these cookies were always a treat!
We make several batches of these cookies every year at Christmas. Everyone loves them in my family, so they go quick!
Of course, you aren’t limited to making these cookies during the holiday season. We would always enjoy them just at Christmas because they were such a special treat to our family, and we didn’t want to spoil that special-ness by eating them all year long.
I hope you enjoy these Vanillekipferl that are so dear to me!
Almond Crescent "Moon Man" Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3/4 cup powder sugar + more for serving
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Beat butter and almond extract together until smooth. Add sugar, flour, and salt and mix well.
- Stir in oats and almonds until combined.
- Shape dough into small crescent shapes, and bake place on an ungreased baking pan.
- Bake cookies 15-18 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes, then sift powder sugar over cookies.
