Soft and buttery with the flavors of your favorite chai latte, these traditionally shaped German Chai Kipferl Cookies are perfect for the holidays.
What are Kipferl?
The name Kipferl refers to the crescent shape of the cookie. These are traditionally simply flavored with just vanilla or vanilla and almond. They have a crumbly shortbread texture without being dry. This recipe is slightly different because it includes chai flavors but is otherwise very similar to the original.
How to shape Kipferl?
Shaping kipferl cookies can be a little tedious; however, baking at the holidays isn’t meant to be rushed. To shape them, simply portion out the dough into 1 1/2 tbsp sized balls. Then gently roll each ball into a longer roll that is about 1/2″ thick in the center and slightly tapered towards the ends. Carefully curve the roll into a crescent shape and bake.
Can these be made in advance?
Yes! As long as they are stored in an airtight container, these kipferl will keep well for 1-2 weeks. If you coat them in powdered sugar, you may want to re roll them before serving.
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Tips for making Chai Kipferl Cookies
- Make sure the butter is soft – this will allow the dough to come together faster without developing gluten and causing the cookies to be tough.
- When mixing the dough, be careful not to over mix it. However, it should be a smooth cohesive ball of dough rather than still crumbly.
- Be gentle when shaping the cookies, the dough is fragile and will crack easily. If it does, simply press the cracks back together.
- Allow the cookies to cool for between 5 and 10 minutes before coating them in powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. If you do it too early, the cookies will break and crumble. If you wait too long, the sugar won’t stick.
Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour: Any all purpose flour should work for these Kipferl! I have not yet tried any other flours with this recipe.
- Almond Flour: Kipferl are always made with some amount of ground nuts – I find it easiest to use almond flour rather than blanching and blending the almonds but you can do that if you prefer.
- Butter: Butter adds moisture to the cookies and gives them their soft crumbly texture.
- White Sugar: These cookies use granulated sugar for sweetness and for the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the Chai flavors of the cookies.
- Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, and Cardamom: These four spices create the classic chai flavor. The fresher the spices, the stronger the flavor.
- Black Tea Bags: The contents of two black tea bags add another element of the chai flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is used for the coating on half of the cookies.
How to make Kipferl Cookies
Make the Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place two racks in the oven so that they divide the oven into thirds.
- In the a medium bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, almond flour, sugar, spices, and contents of the tea bags.
- Add in the softened butter and vanilla.
- Use an electric mixer to full combine all ingredients into a cohesive smooth dough.
Shape the Cookies
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Portion the dough into 1 1/2 tbsp scoops.
- Roll each ball of dough into a log that is 1/2″ thick in the center and slightly tapered at the ends.
- Gently shape each roll into a crescent shape and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 1″ between each cookie.
Bake the Cookies
- Bake both sheets of cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, rotating and swapping the baking sheets after 10 minutes.
- While the cookies bake, fill one bowl with powdered sugar and one with cinnamon sugar to coat the cookies with after they bake.
- After the cookies are finished baking, remove the baking sheets and place them on cooling racks to cool for 5-10 minutes. They should still be warm.
- Roll half of the cookies in the powdered sugar and half in the cinnamon sugar.
- The cookies rolled in the powdered sugar will need to be rolled a second time about 10 minutes after they have been rolled the firs time.
Chai Kipferl Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 250 grams ap flour
- 100 grams almond flour
- 70 grams granulated sugar
- 2 contents of black tea bags
- 3/8 tsp cinnamon
- 3/8 tsp ginger
- 3/8 tsp cardamom
- 3/8 tsp cloves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 220 grams butter softened
Coating
- 240 grams powdered sugar
- 200 grams cinnamon sugar
Instructions
Make the Cookie Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and place two racks in the oven so that it is divided into thirds.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together all dough ingredients except for the butter and vanilla.
- Add in the butter and vanilla.
- Mix with the paddle attachment on medium low speed until a smooth and cohesive dough forms.
Shape the Cookies
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Portion the dough into 1 1/2 tbsp portions.
- Roll each portion into a ball and then gently into a log that is 1/2" thick in the center and slightly tapered near at the ends.
- Gently shape each log into a crescent shape and place on the prepared baking sheets. Leave at least 1" between each cookie.
Bake the Cookies
- Bake the cookies for 15 minutes, rotating and swapping the baking sheets halfway through.
- While the cookies bake, fill one wide bowl with the powdered sugar and one with the cinnamon sugar.
- When the cookies are finished baking, remove the baking sheets and place them on wire racks to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Once slightly cooked, roll half of the cookies in the powdered sugar and half in the cinnamon sugar.
- The powdered sugar coated cookies will need to be rolled for a second time after about ten minutes.
- Leave to cool fully before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
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The cookies turned out great! I baked them in 150°C oven for 7 minutes ans it was enough. I did not coat them in powdered sugar to avoid making them too sweet for my tase. Combination of chqi flavor with warm spices were a hit in this recipe. I will bake them again for sure.
Thank you so much Bita! I’m so happy you enjoyed them!!!