Stellas - Crescent Pastry Cookies
Delightful crescent-shaped cookies with a crunchy pecan and cinnamon filling, coated in sugar and topped with icing, perfect for holidays or special occasions, appealing to all ages.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine finely chopped pecans, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl; set aside.
- Sift flour into a medium bowl.
- Cut in softened butter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Stir in sour cream until the dough holds together.
- Divide the dough into 4 balls, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 6 hours.
- Sprinkle your work surface with flour and heavily with sugar.
- Roll one dough ball into a 10-inch round.
- Divide the circle into 8 or 12 wedges, depending on desired crescent size.
- Brush the circle with beaten egg white.
- Sprinkle with 1/4 of the pecan, sugar, and cinnamon mixture.
- Starting from the wide end, roll each wedge into a crescent shape, tucking the point underneath.
- Place the crescents 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Brush the tops of the crescents with egg white.
- Repeat the process with each dough ball.
- Bake in a 400°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until light brown.
- Remove the crescents and allow to cool on a rack.
- Drizzle with confectioners' icing before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider toasting the pecans before chopping them. If you're short on time, you can use ready-made pastry dough instead of making your own. For a touch of sweetness, add a pinch of powdered sugar to the dough. Experiment with different nuts like walnuts or almonds for a unique twist.
Serving Suggestions
These crescent pastry cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a delightful afternoon treat with coffee or tea. Drizzle with confectioners' icing for an elegant finish. They pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a slice of Peach Or Apple Kuchen for a satisfying dessert spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover crescent pastry cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To reheat, place them in a warm oven (about 300°F) for a few minutes until warmed through, ensuring they remain flaky.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Stellas - Crescent Pastry Cookies contains roughly 303 calories, with 6g protein, 15g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is a good source of protein (12% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (12% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before rolling out the crescents. This allows the flavors to meld and can lead to an even better texture once baked.
What can I use instead of sour cream?
If you don't have sour cream on hand, you can substitute with plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk. Both alternatives will maintain the moisture and tanginess needed for the cookies.
Can I freeze the cookies?
Absolutely! After baking, let the cookies cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them briefly in the oven.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).