Hungarian Christmas Walnut Cookies (Hókifli)

Hókifli, meaning “snow crescent,” is a classic Hungarian Christmas cookie known for its tender, buttery pastry and fragrant walnut filling. Once baked, the little crescents are generously coated in powdered sugar, giving them their beautiful snowy appearance.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• ⅓ cup powdered sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest

For the Walnut Filling

• 1½ cups finely ground walnuts
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

For the Snowy Coating

• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 packet vanilla sugar, optional