Polish Vanilla Cookies (Ciasteczka Waniliowe)

By
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/17/22
Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe

 The Spruce

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 30 servings
Yield: 60 cookies
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
115 Calories
7g Fat
11g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 30
Amount per serving
Calories 115
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 14mg 5%
Sodium 68mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 18mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 36mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This egg-free recipe for Polish vanilla cookies, or ciasteczka waniliowe (chahss-TETCH-kah vah-neel-YAW-veh), is made with ground almonds and vanilla bean, which gives them a rich nutty flavor.

They are formed into crescent shapes much like Polish rogaliki, except the latter calls for egg yolk. This crescent is also considered a Polish Christmas cookie.

Ingredients

  • 7 ounces (3 1/2 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1 vanilla bean, scraped of its seeds, or 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

  • 3 1/2 ounces almonds, ground

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

  • 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients and preheat oven to 350 F.

    Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.

    Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  3. Add the scraped seeds from the vanilla bean (or vanilla extract) and the almonds, and mix again.

    Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.

    Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  5. Add it to the butter-sugar mixture and thoroughly combine. If the dough is too dry and crumbly, add 1 to 2 tablespoons milk.

    Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  6. On parchment-lined baking sheets, portion out small balls of dough.

    Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  7. Roll into a pencil shape in the hands and then shape into small crescents. Bake 5 to 10 minutes or until bottoms are golden.

    Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  8. In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners' sugar and vanilla sugar.

    Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  9. While cookies are still on the baking pan, sprinkle with the sugar mixture.

    Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  10. Let cool completely and serve or store in a tightly covered container.

Polish Vanilla Cookies recipe
 The Spruce