Apple-Walnut Cinnamon Crescent Cookies

Name: Apple-Walnut Cinnamon Crescent Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 30 cookies
Cuisine: Homemade
Ingredients: 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour; 250 g unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 tbsp plain yogurt (drain excess liquid); 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional); Pinch of salt; 3 apples, peeled and grated; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 handfuls crushed walnuts; Powdered sugar, for dusting

parttimehomecook
Jun 28, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jan 1

These apple, walnut, and cinnamon crescents have been part of my kitchen for years. Soft, buttery, and gently spiced, they’re the kind of cookies I make without much thought, because I know exactly how they’ll turn out and how quickly they’ll disappear.

If you’ve spent time around me, chances are you’ve had one. I’ve baked them for coffee breaks at work, family gatherings, and quiet afternoons at home. The dough stays tender thanks to a little yogurt, and the filling has that familiar apple and cinnamon flavor that feels comforting without being heavy.

They come out of the oven light and golden, then get dusted generously with powdered sugar. With a cup of tea or coffee, they’re perfect for a small break in the day. Simple, familiar, and always welcome, these are the cookies that still feel like home to me.

Homemade apple-walnut cinnamon crescent cookies, dusted with powdered sugar and arranged on a baking tray.

Ingredients

For the dough:

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
250g unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon plain yogurt (drain any excess liquid)
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup powdered sugar
Optional: ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

For the filling:

3 apples, peeled and grated
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 handfuls crushed walnuts

To finish:

Powdered sugar for dusting

Follow along on Instagram

Instructions

Cook the grated apples and sugar over medium heat until soft and the liquid evaporates. Stir in cinnamon and crushed walnuts. Let the mixture cool completely.

In a mixing bowl, knead together the flour, butter, yogurt, baking powder, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla (if using) into a soft dough.

Divide the dough into 5 balls. Roll each into a circle and cut into 6 wedges. Place a spoonful of filling on the wide edge of each wedge and roll into a crescent shape.

Bake in a preheated conventional oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes, or in a fan-forced oven at 160°C (320°F) for 20–25 minutes, until lightly golden.

Let cool completely and dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.