Vanilla Kipferl as we call them in Germany is a Christmas must-bake. Generations hand down recipes for it. 

While there is nothing wrong with the classic vanilla recipe, I also like to experiment with other flavours.

So, here’s a modern Japanese-inspired recipe with some added Matcha. The Kipferl not only taste nice, but they also look quite fancy.

Happy Baking!

Ingredients

150g butter (room temperature)

3 tbsp Matcha powder

50g icing sugar

150g flour

30g cornflour

100g almonds (grounded)

1 tsp vanilla essence

Salt 

150g sugar 

Method

1. Cut the butter into cubes.

2. In a bowl, using an electric mixer combine the butter, matcha powder, icing sugar, vanilla essence and a pinch of salt.

3. Add the flour, cornflour and almonds and mix until combined.

4. Shape the dough into two logs, wrap them in cling film and place in the fridge for at least one hour.

5. Preheat the oven to 170°C (fan) and line a baking tray with baking parchment.

6. Cut the logs into about 25 evenly sized slices.

7. Shape each slice into a crescent and place on the baking tray.

8. Bake for about 12-13 minutes.

9. Leave to cool for a couple of minutes.

10. Roll the crescents in sugar and let them cool completely on a wire rack.