Vanilla Bean Cookies

Name: Vanilla Bean Cookies (Vanillekipferl)
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 27 min
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 1 vanilla bean (see Notes); 15 tablespoons (210 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature; ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons (100 g) almond flour (see Notes; 1 cup (70 g) granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt (not traditional, but I love it); 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; Powdered sugar, sifted, for topping

Vanillekipferl

Preparation info

Yield:
40
cookies

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
1 hr 30

Appears in

German Home Kitchen

By Sophie Sadler

Published 2025

About

Vanillekipferl are my favorite German Christmas cookies, and my Oma Sieghilde made at least one batch every Christmas season. I think it’s because they’re quick and easy to make, buttery, and perfectly sweet. Using real vanilla bean adds the coziest flavor.

Ingredients

1 vanilla bean (see Notes)
15 tablespoons (210 g) unsalted butter, at r

Europe
Germany
Cookies
Vegetarian
Christmas

Method

With a sharp knife, cut the vanilla bean lengthwise in half, then scrape out the seeds.
In a medium bowl, add the vanilla seeds, butter, almond flour, granulated sugar, salt, and all-purpose flour. Using your hands, knead until a smooth dough forms. Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece into a log 10 i