Kiefel, also known as kifli, are a popular cookie originating from Austria and Hungary. Typically prepared during the holiday season, these delicate pastries are characterized by their crescent shape and crispy texture. They are traditionally made with a combination of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs, often flavored with vanilla or lemon zest. The dough is rolled out thinly and cut into strips, which are then twisted and baked until golden brown. Kiefels are often dusted with powdered sugar or flavored with spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. Whether you are a seasoned baker or just starting out, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to create these delectable treats.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
HUNGARIAN KIFFLES
This is the real deal, direct from my Hungarian descendants. These yummy, delicate cookies are just the right amount of sweetness and are absolutely addicting! Simple ingredients, but do take some work, but well worth it! Always a holiday favorite!
Provided by Rach
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Eastern European Hungarian
Time 8h25m
Yield 36
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Beat butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer until pale yellow and creamy. Gradually add 2 cups flour to butter mixture until the dough is too thick for the mixer. Stir remaining 2 cups flour into the butter mixture by hand and knead until dough falls off hands easily. Roll dough into a ball, place in bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Stir walnuts and sugar together in a bowl. Pour milk into walnut mixture and stir to form a paste.
- Turn dough onto a floured work surface and roll to desired thickness. Cut dough into 2-inch squares. Place about 1 teaspoon walnut filling in the center of each square. Roll the dough from 1 corner to the other corner around the walnut filling and transfer to a baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until light brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 289.4 calories, Carbohydrate 18.3 g, Cholesterol 41.1 mg, Fat 23 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 10.1 g, Sodium 110.8 mg, Sugar 6 g
KIFFLES
I started making these jam-filled half-moon cookies in college to keep me energized while I studied, and I still make them as a special treat for my friends every holiday. They are a bit labor-intensive, but very much worth the work.
Provided by NovelApproach
Categories Desserts Cookies Filled Cookie Recipes
Time 1h45m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Beat butter and cream cheese together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Stir 1/2 the flour into creamed butter mixture until incorporated; mix in remaining flour until dough is just combined. Refrigerate dough until chilled, at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Stir jam and cornstarch together in a small bowl until cornstarch is dissolved and jam is slightly thickened.
- Turn dough onto a floured work surface and roll into 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough into 3-inch circles using a cookie cutter or the rim of a coffee mug. Spoon about 1 teaspoon jam down the center of each circle. Fold dough circles in half and crimp edges together using a fork. Arrange folded dough on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 193.5 calories, Carbohydrate 21.6 g, Cholesterol 30.6 mg, Fat 11.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 82.4 mg, Sugar 8.6 g
KIFLE - YUGOSLAVIAN WALNUT COOKIES
This is a traditional recipe for Yugoslavian cookies called Kifle. There are different fillings for these cookies but my favourite is the walnut! Time to make does not include chilling time........Posted for ZWT 4.
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Dessert
Time 55m
Yield 2 dozen cookies
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Put sifted flour into large mixing bowl. Mix in yeast. Cut in margarine with pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.
- Add egg yolks and sour cream; mix well. Form into a ball. On lightly floured board, knead until smooth, 5 to 10 minutes. Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Wrap in wax paper. Chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour.
- Combine walnuts, sugar and vanilla extract. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Set aside.
- On a board sprinkled with confectioners sugar, roll each part of dough into an 8-inch circle; cut each into 8 pie-shape wedges.
- Fill wide end of each wedge with 1 tablespoon walnut filling. Roll up from wide end to point. Place on greased baking sheet, curving ends to form crescent shape.
- Bake at 375 degrees F about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Dust with confectioners sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1642.5, Fat 101.1, SaturatedFat 20.7, Cholesterol 214.1, Sodium 630.1, Carbohydrate 158.8, Fiber 8, Sugar 52.5, Protein 31.5
KIEFELS
Steps:
- -preheat oven to 375 degrees -Sift flour into bowl -Add egg yolks (slightly beaten) and melted butter and mix by hand -add dissolved yeast - Mix thoroughly and then add enough half and half to make pie-dough consistency Roll out on powdered sugar to about an 1/8th inch thick, and cut into about 4inch squares. Fill with a bit of apricot or prune filling, and roll into a log shape, pinching the ends closed. (It helps to wet the dough with a little water on the edge to get it to stick to itself) Place "seam side" down onto greased cookie sheet (air-bake sheets work best). Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. When cool, cover with a dusting of powdered sugar.
EASY SOUR CREAM KIFLI
Not many ingredients in the dough; easy to mix, chill and fill, and the finished product is "oh, so good".
Provided by superbuna
Categories Dessert
Time 2h20m
Yield 72 crescents
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- For dough:.
- Cut butter into flour.
- Mix egg yolks with sour cream and add to flour mix.
- Mix well.
- Divide dough into 6 or 8 parts.
- Flatten each into small patty shape.
- Wrap each patty in plastic wrap and chill at least 6 hours or overnight.
- For filling:.
- Combine nuts, sugars, and lemon rind and set aside.
- Beat egg whites a little with a fork and set aside.
- To assemble:.
- Remove one patty at a time from fridge and roll out on a floured board to a 9" circle.
- Now smear some egg white over the circle of dough.
- Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of sugar/nut mixture over that.
- Cut into 12 pie-shaped wedges.
- Roll up, curve into crescent shape, dip tops in egg whites, then in nut mixture and arrange on prepared cookie sheets.
- Repeat with balance of dough.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Makes 72, 96, or more, depending on how many times you divide the dough.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 115.6, Fat 8, SaturatedFat 4.1, Cholesterol 23.5, Sodium 41.6, Carbohydrate 10, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 4.3, Protein 1.5
HUNGARIAN WALNUT COOKIES
As a child, I always looked forward to eating these goodies at Christmastime. Now I make them for my own family. -Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h
Yield 4 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until blended. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture. Divide dough into 3 portions. Shape each into a disk. Wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 375°. For filling, in a small bowl, beat egg whites and vanilla on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on medium after each addition until well blended. Stir in walnuts., Generously coat a work surface with confectioners' sugar. Roll 1 portion of dough into a 12-in. square about 1/8 in. thick, sprinkling with additional confectioners' sugar as necessary to coat well. Cut into sixteen 3-in. squares., Shape 2 teaspoons filling into a small log about 2 in. long. Place diagonally onto a square. Overlap opposite corners of dough over filling; pinch tightly to seal. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough and filling., Bake until bottoms are golden brown, 9-11 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar., To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. , Freeze option: Freeze cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw before serving. If desired, dust with additional confectioners' sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 129 calories, Fat 9g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 49mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.
Tips:
- To make sure your dough is the right consistency, it should be smooth and elastic, but not sticky. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour. If it's too dry, add a little more butter.
- When rolling out the dough, use a light touch and don't overwork it. If you overwork the dough, it will become tough.
- To keep the dough from sticking to your rolling pin, sprinkle it with a little flour.
- When cutting the dough into strips, use a sharp knife. A dull knife will tear the dough and make it difficult to shape.
- When twisting the dough, be gentle. If you twist it too tightly, it will break.
- To prevent the cookies from burning, bake them at a low temperature for a long period of time.
- To make sure the cookies are cooked through, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the cookies are done.
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. If you store them while they're still warm, they will become soft and chewy.
Conclusion:
Kieflers are a delicious and versatile cookie that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They're perfect for a quick snack or a special dessert. With a few simple tips, you can make kieflers that are sure to impress your friends and family.
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