Walnut Crescent Cookies / Kiflice sa Orasima
Deliciously crumbly Walnut Crescent Cookies / Kiflice sa Orasima. Crescent shaped cookies are one of the most popular cookies around the Balkans, especially during the festive seasons. That said, these cookies can be baked all year round. I don’t particularly reserve these cute delicacies for the Serbian Christmas or New Year celebrations only, I bake them on random occasions too. From vanilla, almond or these walnut flavoured cookies, they are just so darn delicious. Made with the typical short-bread dough ingredients, these cookies are filled with ground walnuts, shaped into crescents and baked until perfection. Store them in an air-tight container and they can be ready for that moment of bliss any time.

About this recipe
You may have seen me say here before that growing up, I have enjoyed a variety of kiflice / crescent cookies. From the doughy based recipes to short-bread types of kiflice, I loved them all. Mums doughy, jam filled kiflice were always the best. They were one of my favourite cozy night snacks. The short-bread style of kiflice is not something we had often, but it was definitely a cookie that I loved to add to my dessert plate on special occasions.
This recipe for Walnut Crescent Cookies / Kiflice sa Orasima is made using a short-bread style of dough. Using all of the usual ingredients – butter, egg yolk and sugar to create that melt in your mouth moment.. When it comes to the nuts, walnuts are a staple and tradition in Serbia. However you can also use almonds or hazelnuts. Keep in mind that depending on the type of nut, the colour of the overall cookie may wary. Almonds usually create a lighter coloured cookie. But, since we love the flavour of walnuts in so many of our desserts, I am keeping this recipe traditional. It reminds me of home!
The batter is fairly easy to make – this part should be a breeze. When it comes to shaping them into crescents, this can take a little trial and error. Personally, I prefer a smaller, dainty size for this cookie, but you can make them slightly bigger. These cookies bake fairly quickly, so keep an eye out before the bottom parts become burnt.
Head straight down to the end for the recipe ingredients and instructions or read a little more below for some tips on these little delicacies.


Some tips
Ensure Butter is Softened: Allow the butter to soften at room temperature before starting the recipe. Softened butter ensures easier mixing and a smoother shortbread dough. You will struggle to form the dough if the butter is not soft enough.
Combine dry ingredients separately: Mix the butter, sugar and egg yolks first. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients and add to the already mixed butter mixture. This helps the ingredients combine well.
Chill the Dough: Always chill the dough before shaping the crescents. This can make the dough easier to handle and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
Chill Overnight Before Baking (Optional): These cookies can be covered and chilled overnight before baking. I have tested this method for these cookies and it works perfectly. The next day, preheat the oven and bake the cookies at 180°C for 10-12 minutes.
Maintain Consistent Sizes: Aim for consistent sizes when shaping the crescents. You can do this by weighing out 20 g of dough each time you shape a crescent. This ensures uniform baking times.
Check for Golden Edges: Keep a close eye on the cookies towards the end of the baking time. Once the edges turn a golden brown, they are ready to come out of the oven.
Optional Finishing Touch: Add a final touch by dusting the cooled crescents with powdered sugar for a visually appealing presentation. However, do not add the powdered sugar if the cookies are still hot to the touch. The powdered sugar will melt.
Store in an Airtight Container: Once completely cooled, store the Walnut Crescent Cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and prevent them from becoming stale.

Looking for more?
If you are looking for more ideas, try one of the recipes below:
Kiflice sa sirom / Crescents with cheese
I hope that you enjoy these delicious Walnut Crescent Cookies / Kiflice sa Orasima! Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! If you have questions, you can find me over on Instagram or tag me with your photo. You can also find me over on TikTok and Youtube.
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Ingredients:
Adjust Servings
200g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature | |
100g granulated sugar | |
2 egg yolks | |
180g grounded walnuts | |
300g all purpose flour | |
1/2tsp salt |
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