Embrace the joy of baking with these delightful Cream Cheese and Cottage Cheese Crescent Cookies, sprinkled with a fragrant hazelnut-cinnamon topping. These cookies offer the perfect combination of a crispy exterior and a tender, flaky interior, resembling the taste and texture of fine French pastries. A simple yet sophisticated treat, these crescents are sure to impress with their elegant shape and irresistible flavor.
Why You'll Love These Cookies:
These crescent cookies are a testament to the beauty of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special. The dough, made with cream cheese or finely ground cottage cheese, yields a pastry that's remarkably soft and flaky. The hazelnut-cinnamon topping adds a sweet and spicy crunch that makes these cookies utterly addictive. They are quick to prepare, making them an ideal choice for both impromptu baking sessions and planned gatherings.
Perfect Occasion:
Whether you're hosting a coffee morning, looking for the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon tea, or want to add a touch of elegance to your holiday cookie assortment, these crescent cookies fit the bill beautifully. They are also wonderful as homemade gifts, wrapped in pretty packaging to share the warmth of your kitchen with friends and family.
Decoration Tips:
For an extra touch of sweetness and style, you can drizzle the baked cookies with melted chocolate or a simple icing glaze. A light dusting of powdered sugar before serving adds a festive look, especially during the holiday season.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 250g cream cheese or triple-ground cottage cheese
- 250g all-purpose flour
- 250g cold butter, cut into pieces
- 1 egg, divided
For the Hazelnut-Cinnamon Topping:
- 30g ground hazelnuts
- 50g sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Prepare the Topping:
- In a small bowl, mix together the ground hazelnuts, sugar, and cinnamon. Divide the mixture into four equal parts.
- Make the Dough:
- Lightly beat half of the egg in a bowl. In a larger mixing bowl, combine flour, cold butter pieces, and cheese. Add the beaten egg and knead into a cohesive dough.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface, divide into four equal parts, and roll each into a thin circle about 3mm thick. Brush each circle lightly with the remaining beaten egg, sprinkle with one part of the hazelnut-cinnamon topping, then cut into 8 triangles. Flip the triangles (topping side down) and roll from the base to the tip to form crescents.
- Bake:
- Arrange the crescents on a baking sheet and bake at 356°F (180°C) for about 25 minutes or until golden.
Enjoy these Cream Cheese and Cottage Cheese Crescent Cookies, a quick and easy treat that combines the richness of cheese with the warm flavors of hazelnut and cinnamon. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are a delightful way to add a touch of homemade goodness to your day.
