Kifli Cookies
Traditional Hungarian kifli cookies with walnuts – step-by-step recipe
If you’re looking for a recipe that delights with its simplicity and noble taste, traditional Hungarian kifli cookies will be a hit. These buttery crescent rolls are a true legend – they are incredibly crumbly, aromatic, and even addictive. This proven recipe for shortbread kifli cookies with walnuts will allow you to bring the atmosphere of Budapest patisseries straight into your kitchen. This is an ideal traditional Hungarian dessert that tastes best with a cup of coffee and quickly becomes a favorite snack for the household. Try them once, and they will permanently become a part of your baking calendar!
Table of content
Shortbread Kifli Cookies Step-by-Step Recipe
If you like crumbly, delicate, homemade cookies, then you absolutely must bake these walnut crescent rolls straight from Hungary!
Kifli cookies recipe with video
Składniki
Ingredients for shortcrust-yeast dough for cookies
- 100 ml Greek yogurt (at room temperature or lukewarm)
- 1 tablespoon dried yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 300 g all-purpose flour (2 cups)
- 200 g butter
- 2 egg yolks (from large eggs)
- vanilla extract (optional)
Ingredients for the nut filling
- 2 egg whites (from large eggs)
- 100 g walnuts (ground (¾ cup))
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Additionally
- powdered sugar (for sprinkling on top)
Instrukcja
How to make kifli cookies step by step
Step 1 – preparing the dough for kifli
- Add yeast and a tablespoon of sugar to the yogurt, mix, and set aside for a moment.100 ml Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon dried yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar
- Sift the flour into the mixer bowl, add the butter cut into pieces and vanilla (if using).300 g all-purpose flour, 200 g butter, vanilla extract
- Briefly knead together to form a crumbly mixture.
- Add the yogurt with yeast and egg yolks to the bowl.2 egg yolks
- Knead everything into a smooth dough.
- Remove the dough to a countertop, knead briefly and divide into portions – I cut it into 4 parts to get 32 croissants. Wrap each piece of dough in cling film and refrigerate for at least an hour.
Step 2 – preparing the nut filling
- Gently whisk the egg whites with a whisk.2 egg whites
- Add ground nuts and powdered sugar to them and mix.100 g walnuts, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Step 3 – rolling the cookies
- Preheat the oven to 170℃ (fan-assisted) or 180℃ (top/bottom heat mode).
- Roll out the chilled pieces of dough (each separately) into a thin round.
- Cut into 8 triangles.
- Spoon a portion onto each piece
- Roll up the dough into a cylinder, starting from the base of the triangle.
- Place the cookies on a large baking sheet – leave slight gaps, but they don’t have to be large.
Step 4 – baking kifli cookies
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes – until nicely browned.
- Finally, sprinkle the baked cookies with powdered sugar.powdered sugar
Film
Uwagi
Wartości Odżywcze
Why is it worth baking kifli cookies with walnuts?
Today I invite you to try very tasty and delicate Hungarian kifli cookies with walnut filling. Hungarian cuisine is very fond of walnuts in its desserts. Previously on the blog, a recipe for Gundel pancakes filled with walnut paste and served with chocolate sauce appeared. Now I invite you to try these delicious, traditional cookies. The name “kifli” refers to the characteristic crescent shape (crescent roll). Kifli cookies are most often prepared for holidays – Christmas or Easter, but they can be eaten practically any day during a coffee break. The cookies owe their delicate texture to the large amount of butter in the dough. While still warm, the walnut crescent rolls are immediately coated or sprinkled with powdered sugar, which creates a sweet coating. You absolutely must try this taste!
Ingredients for homemade walnut kifli
To make such flaky crescent rolls with nut filling at home, you will only need a few basic ingredients that you either already have or can easily get in any store.
- butter – choose good quality butter here, preferably 82% extra butter, as it gives the cookies their flavor, lightness, and a slightly flaky texture
- yogurt – I used thick Greek yogurt, but you can replace it with sour cream
- yeast – I used instant yeast, but you can also use fresh yeast – in that case, use about 15g; I’ve also seen recipes for these crescent rolls with baking powder instead of yeast – you can use a slightly heaped teaspoon of it
- walnuts – if you have whole nuts, you need to grind them – e.g., with a food processor, blender; alternatively, you can replace them with other nuts or almonds
How to prepare the dough for kifli cookies?
The dough used to make kifli is called shortcrust-yeast dough. This is because a little yeast is added to the shortcrust pastry ingredients. Its addition makes the crescent rolls rise gently during baking. To make the dough light and delicate, it’s best to use cold or chilled butter cut into pieces. The dough should be kneaded quickly so as not to warm it up too much with your hands. I recommend kneading the dough with a mixer – it’s fast and we don’t warm up the ingredients with the heat of our hands. Immediately after preparation, the dough is elastic but also soft. Therefore, it needs to be chilled in the refrigerator so that it rolls out well.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about kifli cookies
Can kifli dough be prepared in advance?
Yes! The dough for flaky kifli cookies actually benefits from resting. You can prepare it in the evening, wrap it in cling film, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This allows the butter to set properly, and the cookies will be even flakier after baking.
What can replace walnuts in the recipe?
Although the traditional Hungarian dessert is based on walnuts, you can certainly use ground hazelnuts or almonds. Remember, however, that walnuts have a characteristic bitterness that best balances the sweetness of powdered sugar.
When dividing the dough into four portions, I ran a bit short on nut filling, so I rolled the dough with some fruit marmalade instead – the crescent rolls with it were just as delicious!
Why do my kifli cookies crack when forming?
The most common reason is dough that is too cold or too dry. If the dough has been in the refrigerator for a long time, let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before you start shaping the crescent rolls. If it still cracks, try adding a tablespoon of sour cream to give it elasticity.
How long can these cookies be stored?
This is one of kifli’s greatest advantages! In an airtight tin, they stay fresh for up to 3 weeks. Over time, they become even more delicate, making them ideal as a gift or a sweet treat to accompany coffee.
Can I freeze baked cookies?
Yes, baked and cooled cookies (preferably without powdered sugar topping) can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature, and before serving, sprinkle with fresh vanilla powdered sugar.
I hope this recipe for shortbread walnut kifli cookies becomes a staple in your kitchen. Although it’s a traditional Hungarian dessert, its universal, buttery-nutty flavor makes everyone love it, regardless of geographical location. Remember that homemade baked goods are not just about taste, but primarily about the joy of creating them and sharing them with loved ones.
How did your baking go?
I’m very curious if your crescents turned out just as crumbly! Or maybe you have your own family way to enrich this recipe?
- Leave a comment below – share your impressions or ask a question if anything was unclear.
- Show off your photo! If you’re posting your kifli on Instagram, be sure to tag me – I love seeing your culinary successes!
Enjoy your delicious and crunchy treat!
P.S. Be sure to also visit my Instagram, where you’ll also find all my recipes!
Inspiration – I’m presenting it with my slight changes
Recommended Shortbread Cookie Recipes
Also try my other recipes for delicious homemade shortbread cookies with various flavors. Here I recommend, among others, three such recipes, and many more on the blog.
Popularne Przepisy
Polecane przepisy
How to Make Perfect Walnut Kifli? A Step-by-Step Recipe
Discover the baking secret that is the pride of Hungarian households! Traditional Hungarian Kifli cookies are a perfect blend of buttery crispness and the intense flavor of nuts. If you are looking for a reliable way to make this iconic, traditional Hungarian dessert, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve prepared a fail-proof recipe for shortcrust walnut kifli cookies just for you. To make your baking experience as easy as possible, you will find the following below:
-
Detailed step-by-step photos covering every stage of preparation.
-
A short instructional video where I demonstrate how to perfectly shape these signature crescents.
With these tips, even a beginner baker will be able to achieve the perfect dough texture. I invite you to bake along with me – these cookies are pure culinary poetry!
