Here’s a traditional Hungarian Christmas Walnut Cookie recipe — Hókifli ❄️
These are tender, crescent-shaped cookies that melt in your mouth and are rolled in vanilla sugar while warm.
Hungarian Hókifli (Walnut Snow Crescents)
Makes: about 40–50 cookies
Ingredients
Dough
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250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
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200 g (¾ cup + 2 tbsp) unsalted butter, cold
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100 g (1 cup) finely ground walnuts
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60 g (¼ cup) powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
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1 pinch salt
Coating
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100 g (¾ cup) powdered sugar
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1–2 tsp vanilla sugar
Instructions
1. Make the Dough
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In a bowl, mix flour, ground walnuts, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
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Cut in cold butter using fingers or a pastry cutter until crumbly.
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Gently knead just until the dough comes together.
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Wrap and chill for 30–45 minutes.
2. Shape the Cookies
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Preheat oven to 170°C / 340°F.
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Take small pieces of dough (about 1 tablespoon).
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Roll into short logs and bend into crescent shapes.
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Place on a parchment-lined baking tray.
3. Bake
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Bake for 12–15 minutes
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Cookies should stay pale, not browned.
4. Sugar Coating
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Mix powdered sugar and vanilla sugar.
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While cookies are still warm, gently roll them in the sugar.
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Let cool completely — they’ll firm up as they cool.
Tips for Perfect Hókifli
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Walnuts must be very finely ground for a smooth texture
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Don’t overbake — they should look light and delicate
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Store in an airtight container; flavor improves after a day or two
Variations
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Vanilla kifli (no nuts): replace walnuts with flour
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Almond version: swap walnuts for ground almonds
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Chocolate-dipped ends: dip cooled cookies lightly in melted chocolate
If you want, I can also share:
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A gluten-free version
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A grandmother-style Hungarian measurement version
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A bigger batch recipe for gifting
Just tell me