Kipfel

Kipfel  (Cookie Crescents)

Ingredients:

·                         1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine, softened

·                         1 cup (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

·                         1 tablespoon sour cream

·                         1/2 teaspoon salt

·                         2 tablespoons sugar (optional)

·                         1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional)

·                         2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour, sifted

·                         Powdered sugar, topping

·                         1 cup jam, such as apricot or raspberry

Directions:

1. To make the dough: In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and sour cream until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the salt and, if using, sugar and vanilla. Gradually beat in the flour. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces, form into balls, flatten into 1-inch-thick rounds, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

3. Let the dough stand at room temperature until malleable. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough piece to a 1/8-inch-thick round, about 9 inches in diameter. Brush with jam, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge.

4. Cut each round into equal wedges—12 for medium cookies, 8 for large cookies, or 16 for small cookies. Starting from the wide end, roll up the wedges toward the point and gently bend to form a crescent.

5. Place the crescents on  ungreased baking sheets, pointed side down, 1 inch apart.

6. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the cookies stand until firm, about 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. When cool, roll in powdered sugar.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.  Makes 32 large, 48 medium, or 64 small cookies.

Note: This recipe is very close to the one Mom gave me (can’t find it).  I have made them a few times.  I only used three ingredients for the dough: cream cheese, flour, and butter.  I used Nutella to fill some of the cookies.  They were well received at the clinic Christmas party.