Balkan Kifle Walnut Crescent Cookies
A traditional Balkan pastry, walnut crescent cookies or kifle, are prepared with either a yeast or buttery dough.
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Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F and line sheet pans with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, cut butter into flour. Add eggs and lemon juice (reserve zest) and mix until dough forms, avoiding overworking.
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Divide dough into eighths, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight.
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For the filling, bring water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Add reserved lemon zest, simmer 5 minutes, then cool.
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Combine cooled syrup with ground nuts until thoroughly mixed.
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Work with refrigerated dough portions. Roll each piece thinly, then place 1 teaspoon of filling at one end and roll to form a slightly curved crescent.
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Place crescents seam-down on prepared pans.
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Bake 10-15 minutes until lightly golden.
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Roll warm cookies in confectioners' sugar for a glaze, or cool completely then dust.
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Cool completely before storing.