Swedish Crescents

Prep: 30 min Cook: 20 min Serves: 84 Cuisine: Swedish

Delicate Swedish Crescents are buttery, nutty cookies coated in powdered sugar, perfect for holidays or special occasions, appealing to those who enjoy sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treats.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 3/4 cups sifted plain flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and confectioners sugar together.
  2. Add vanilla, sifted flour, chopped pecans, and salt; mix until well combined.
  3. Chill the dough thoroughly.
  4. Shape the dough into crescents using about 1/2 teaspoon of dough for each.
  5. Place shaped dough on a cookie sheet.
  6. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 18 to 20 minutes, being careful not to brown.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
  8. Roll the warm crescents in confectioners sugar mixed with vanilla.

Tips & Substitutions

For a lighter texture, ensure your butter is at room temperature before creaming with confectioners sugar. If you don't have pecans, walnuts or almonds work well as substitutes. Chill the dough thoroughly to make shaping easier and to help the cookies hold their form during baking. Consider adding a pinch of cinnamon to enhance the flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These Swedish Crescents are delightful served alongside a cup of tea or coffee, making them perfect for afternoon gatherings. They also pair beautifully with Baked Gouda(Appetizer) for a savory-sweet contrast. For a festive touch, serve them during holiday celebrations as a sweet treat that everyone will enjoy.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover crescents in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For extended freshness, you can freeze the cookies for up to three months. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through, then roll in confectioners sugar again if desired.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Swedish Crescents contains roughly 1333 calories, with 3g protein, 117g carbohydrates, and 82g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (10% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.

1333 kcal 67% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 2.9g 6% DV
Total Fat 81.6g 100% DV
Carbs 117.5g 43% DV
Fiber 2.9g 10% DV
Sugar 111.5g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 128.6mg 6% DV
Potassium 215.3mg 5% DV
Cholesterol 180mg 60% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 0.9mcg
Vitamin C 0.3mg
Calcium 28.9mg 2% DV
Iron 1mg 5% DV
Contains Milk Wheat/Gluten Tree nuts

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 use margarine instead of butter?

While you can use margarine, the flavor and texture of the crescents may be slightly different. Butter provides a richer taste and a better melt-in-your-mouth quality, which is essential for this delicate cookie.

What can I do if my dough is too sticky?

If your dough feels too sticky, try chilling it for an additional 30 minutes. This will firm it up and make it easier to shape. Alternatively, you can dust your hands and work surface with a little extra flour to help with handling.

Can I make these crescents gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure that the blend includes xanthan gum for proper texture. The taste may vary slightly, but they should still turn out delicious.

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).

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