Oma's Christmas Almond Crescents (Easy Mexican Wedding Cookies)

Oma's Christmas Almond Crescents (also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies) are a traditional cookie recipe from Eastern Europe.  This recipe is from my mother, who passed the recipe on from her mother. 

As traditional cookies go, this recipe is easier to make  than many cookie recipes. It has very few ingredients and doesn't require cookie cutters or special equipment. 

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OMA'S CHRISTMAS ALMOND CRESCENTS

2 cups almonds

2 cups flour

1 cup butter, at room temperature

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

Grind almonds to a fine powder in a food processor to make about 2 cups. Combine all ingredients with a mixer, then roll into small crescents, about finger length but thicker. If mixture is too soft, cool in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes first. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, can use baking parchment if desired. Bake in oven for 15 minutes at 350°F, allow to cool, and then roll each crescent in additional powdered sugar.

Some recipes substitute ground pecans for almonds; feel free to experiment!

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