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Vanilla crescents – they are as much a part of the Christmas season as the first snow. But did you know that the main ingredient, vanilla, has a fascinating history? Let’s not only share a delicious recipe, but also take a look at the magic of this special ingredient.
Vanilla: the queen of spices
Vanilla originally comes from Mexico, where it was revered by the Aztecs as the “black flower”. Today, it is mainly cultivated in Madagascar, Indonesia and the Comoros. The plant itself is an orchid, and the vanilla pods are its fermented fruit capsules. The process from pollination to the finished pod takes several months and requires a lot of manual labor – which is why vanilla is so expensive. But the effort is worth it: its incomparable fragrance has a calming effect, lifts the mood and can even regulate the appetite. The vanilla I have used in this recipe comes from Mauritius. We brought it back from our vacation and were very excited to see how it would taste in the vanilla crescents.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 125 g wheat flour
- 1 pinch of salt
- ½ tbsp cornflour or cornflour
- 75 g ground almonds
- 50 g powdered sugar + more for dusting
- 5 g ground vanilla
- 115 g vegan butter or margarine (room temperature)
Instructions
Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the butter and knead everything into a smooth dough with your hands. Roll the dough into a roll approx. 3-4 cm thick and cut in half. Then wrap the rolls tightly in cling film and place in the fridge for approx. 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 180°C top/bottom heat (160°C fan-assisted) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Remove the rolls of dough from the fridge and cut into slices about 1 cm wide with a knife. Roll each slice into a small roll, making the ends slightly thinner. Bend both ends towards each other to form a croissant shape.
Place the shaped croissants on the prepared tray and bake in the preheated oven for approx. 12 mins. until the ends are lightly browned.
Then leave to cool completely on the tray.
Dust with powdered sugar – done!
Why these vanilla crescents are so special
Thanks to the real vanilla and the delicate consistency, every bite is a real treat. And best of all, they are completely vegan and therefore perfect for anyone who loves conscious indulgence. Try them out – your loved ones will be delighted!
PS: I found the inspiration for these delicious vanilla crescents from the wonderful Bianca Zapatka.
