This post has been updated December 2021. The original recipe was published December 3, 2009.
These Crescent Nut Cookies are similar to shortbreads in their soft, flakey texture. With bits of nuts and rolled in sugar, they are the perfect cookie to make this holiday season.
"In character, in manner, in style, in all the things, the supreme excellence is simplicity." -Longfellow
If elegance were a cookie, it would be the crescent cookie. There's something all-together lovely about these cookies that have always appealed to me. Is it the shape? Is the dusting of powdered sugar? Is it the soft yet buttery crisp texture?
Crescent cookies are most popular around the Christmas season and while there are many stories behind these holiday delights and their shape, one thing is for certain, they are delicious any time and pair perfectly with either tea or coffee.
That said, they are also versatile in that you can use almonds, walnuts, or pecans. I've tried this recipe with each. Since I'm revisiting this oldie but goodie, I kept to my original recipe which called for walnuts. Regardless of what you choose or have on hand, you're not going to be able to keep from nibbling on these.
Today's recipe offers a hint of rum that plays well into the nuttiness of the cookie.
I consider these snack cookies really because they aren't overtly sweet. Yes, while they may be dusted with confectioner's sugar, the cookie shines on it's own due to it's melt-in-your-mouth texture. Unlike most other cookies we tend to make during the season, these aren't coved in sprinkles, cloaked in icing, or speckled with chocolate. Yet, they stand the test of time, remaining to be a tradition in many of our homes, and for good reason too.
Crescent Nut Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 dozen cookies 1x
Description
Adapted from Good Housekeeping Favorite Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole walnuts
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks) softened (do not use margarine)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp rum extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- In a food processor combine walnuts and a ¼ cup sugar and finely grind.
- In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat butter and remaining sugar. Gradually add flour, ground-walnut mixture and rum and vanilla extracts; beat until blended. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate until dough is firm enough to handle, about 1 hour, or freeze about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven 325 degrees F.
- Work dough with lightly floured hands, shape rounded teaspoons of dough into 2 inch by ½ inch crescents. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake until edges are lightly browned, about 20 minutes
- Dust cookies with confectioners’ sugar until well coated.
Notes
***Prep Time does NOT include Inactive Prep Time
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Michelle says
My Mom makes a similar recipe but calls it Rum Balls but I like the crescent shape better.
I bet they did not last very long!
Joanne says
These look absolutely fantastic! We buy something like this from the local bakery but it would be so much more fun if I made them myself. Thanks for the recipe!
TommyGirl says
This looks delicious!
Carmel says
ooh, i love baking and making cookies!
and loving your site!
Cinnamon-Girl Reeni♥ says
These look so delicious, Catherine! They would be great for the holidays!
Megan says
These look dangerously good!!!!
overthetopaprons says
It is such fun just looking at your pictures ... everything looks so yummy!
5 Star Foodie says
These look so good! My daughter would absolutely love these nut crescents, looking forward to making them for her!
alwayswinner786 says
The taste of your nut crescent is so delicious! Great cookies to share with my little cute friends in coming holidays.
Helen McGinn says
Oh my, these look wonderful. Thanks for sharing the recipe, I've printed it out for Christmas! xx
whatsfordinneracrossstatelines says
I saw these and got so happy, I learned to make these just like my great grandmother did, and every time I see them i get a big smile. So glad to have found your beautiful blog and can't wait to come back often.
-Gina-
Lavanda Michelle says
Those look great, I've never had anything like that before I don't think. Very unique. Thanks for sharing!
Indu says
Walnut cookies are my favorite ones. Tempted to have these delicious walnut crescents right now.
Talya Stone says
I love walnuts but haven't baked with them before. They are so good for you! Will have to give this a go...need to get hold of a grinder!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
I love these. My grandma used to make them all the time. I've made them once or twice myself. They are really yummy.
Rhian Westbury says
These feel very Christmassy and super tasty. I am a huge fan of cookies with nuts in them x
Gina says
These are my dad's favorite holiday cookie. We make them every year and I'm going to give your recipe a try this year instead of ours. There's a few minor differences but these look perfect!
Toni says
This is really good! We had fun making and eating these! Thanks for the recipe!
Kristen Wood says
We made this with gluten-free all purpose and it turned out great! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
maryanne says
Such easy and delicious cookies - I love the addition of rum extract! So good!
Sara Welch says
What a unique and tasty treat for the holidays! Looking forward to making these; great for gift giving!
Lisa Horne says
I haven’t had these since my childhood! Classic yummy cookie!!
Rosey says
Oh yum. These cookies are just perfect for the holiday. Nice and light and sweet.
Jupiter Hadley says
Wow I love the idea of these cookies! They are great for cookie boards too.
Jasmine Martin says
These crescent cookies look so delicious. I would love to try these out for myself.
Marta says
I found these nut crescents in the nick of time! I had some walnuts that were due to expire, so I used them to make these. SO good! This will definitely be a hit at my upcoming cookie exchange.
Farrukh Aziz says
Just the right recipe for the holidays! These crescent cookies look amazing, I love the shape of these. The cookies would make such a perfect dessert for the kids!
Amanda Dixon says
These cookies are perfect for the holidays! They make for a beautiful presentation, and I just loved how soft they were.
Thena Franssen says
Love these festive cookies. We're going to make them this year for our cookie swap!
Colleen says
These cookies are so good! My family gobbled them up so now I need to make another batch for a cookie exchange. Great recipe!
Dennis Littley says
I made a batch of your cookies for Christmas and samples 2 or 10....lol. they were delicious!
Tristin says
My mom always made these when I was growing up so your recipe brought up a lot of nostalgic feelings! These were so good and tasted almost exactly like my moms!
Adriana says
You brought me many good memories from baking with mom in my childhood years. We were used to baking a cookie recipe similar to this one.
Jacqueline Debono says
I love how simple these cookies are to make and yet they look really elegant!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Loving these crescent nut cookies! So easy to make and delicious!
silvia says
These cookies are amazing, I love walnut so the recipe was perfect for me. They reminded me to a cookie my mom used to make.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
What a lovely little cookie! They are like little bites of heaven! The walnuts in these are outstanding!