GIANT SPICED CRESCENT COOKIES: egg-free, indulgence, easy, kid-friendly, make-ahead

Glorious irresistible melt-in-the-mouth cookies...

Lovely eaten in the sunshine, licking icing sugar or chocolate off your fingertips
'Fabulous! But so rich I'll have to restrict myself when eating these.' Taster 

These were made on the spur-of-the-moment when 67 had two meetings to attend and needed something absolutely scrumptious but quick and easy.  The giant spiced crescents filled the bill magnificently.

The recipe was adapted from classic German Christmas crescents but in view of the spring-like weather, 67 made them bigger - much bigger!   

They went down a charm, with the size a winning factor! 

Well-packed in a bed of serviettes in a stiff-sided container, they'll be great for picnics, too.

Cost:£2.70 (4/24)

Makes: 12 large crescents

Ingredients 

114g/4oz unsalted butter, soft 

50g/1.75oz icing sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

40g/1.75oz ground almonds

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

110g/3.9 oz plain white flour +

 40g/1.4oz brown flour  

    OR 150g/5.3oz plain white flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon powdered Cardamon

One generous pinch cloves 

One generous pinch five space

Garnish:  more powdered sugar and/or melted chocolate

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 165°C/325°F
2. Using electric beaters cream butter in a good-sized bowl; gradually add icing sugar and salt, beat until light and fluffy 
3. Beat in ground almonds and vanilla
4. Mix flour and spices; add to bowl in thirds, mix, use spatula to ensure bottom of bowl does not hold un-mixed flour 
5. Use an ice cream scoop size 4.5cm/1.75in wide OR a large tablespoon to form 12 balls; roll into barrel shapes and extend corners to make Crescents (kids can help here)
6. Place on ungreased pan; bake at 15 to 20 minutes until gently golden; try not to brown too much; cool 5 mins and transfer to cooling rack  
7. Either roll in icing sugar as soon as possible OR allow to cool completely and dip in melted chocolate 

Comments:

'So lovely and melt-in-the-mouth. Don't make them smaller. Yes, I will take one for later!' Senior  administrator who 'usually doesn't indulge in sweets'

'Really yummy; they remind me of Christmas but I'll have no trouble getting through them working late tonight! I like their size.' Political Agent

'Fabulous!! Too sad that they are so rich with butter and icing sugar that I have to restrict myself. ' Retired writer

Tips:

For a change, forget the spices and add chocolate chips  

Please leave a question in the box below 

This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.