Vanilla Crescents

Courtesy of Chef John Cirillo, Hilton Toronto

Yield: 80 Pieces

Ingredients:

• 500 g butter
• 250 g sugar
• 2 pkg vanilla sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 750 g flour (cold)
• 400 g blanched almonds, ground fine
• Icing sugar with vanilla sugar for dusting

Method:

1. Make a well with the flour.
2. Combine butter and sugar, salt and vanilla and beat until fluffy.
3. Place butter mixtures in center of well and work swiftly to dough.
4. Add the ground almonds and mix just long enough to hold together.
5. Divided dough into 25-g pieces. Keep cool.
6. Roll each piece into 5-cm long strands with ends slightly pointed.
7. Roll each piece into crescents and place on silicon-lined paper. Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes.
8. Dust with vanilla scented icing sugar while still hot. Let cool and place in tin. Store dry and cool.