Buttery cookies with bits of pecans are shaped into crescents and dipped in a chocolate coating for a perfect combination. These crescent cookies have been favorites in our family for generations.
These melt in your mouth cookies are a must make for my family around Christmas. They have tiny bits of pecans throughout and a thick glaze of fudge on the outside.
They are a bit like snowball cookies only better. Make some for your treat trays or bake some up to enjoy yourself.
For me, the holidays are all about tradition. Don’t get me wrong, it is fun to change things up a bit and try new things.
There are just some things you just have to have in order to make it Christmas. These cookies are one of those things for my family.
My mom has been making them for as long as I can remember. Her mom made them too. I wish I knew when exactly they became a thing, but I know it’s been longer than I’ve been around!
Holiday Traditions
These cookies are as big of a part of the holiday as the tree and decorations. Speaking of the tree and traditions, each year my mom gets us each a Hallmark ornament for Christmas.
As we have moved out, we take our ornaments with us. Now every year as we hang the ornaments we get to relive the memories of our childhood.
We still keep each ornament in its original box. My husband thought I was absolutely nuts the first time he saw the crate of ornament boxes come out.
He went to work with tales of me un-boxing each one as I hung them. He came home with the knowledge that we are not the only crazy ones who do that.
It turns out some of his coworkers do the same thing. So maybe we are more normal than he gives us credit for. 😉
Do you have ornaments in their original box still? Do you go through the same unboxing every year?
Another tradition that continues to make Christmas special in our family is an overabundance of Christmas cookies. MiMi asks everyone to pick a favorite for her to make.
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There are six of us kids, plus my husband, Little Dude, a niece, a nephew, a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law too. So that means at least 12 kinds of cookies.
Then she makes each on in bulk. We are aware that any invitation to visit in December probably includes time rolling, dipping, cutting or decorating cookies.
Every years she says she is going to make fewer cookies, but every year she ends up with a whole room devoted to cookies and chex mix. (Not that anyone complains.)
Add to that the fact that my grandpa loves to make a few of his favorite cookies for Christmas. My aunt also bakes in bulk and brings tin after tin of cookies when she visits.
My cousins also enjoy baking and of course I bake my fair share as well. So we end up with a room of treats at my grandma’s house too.
With all of those cookies to choose from, these cookies are one of my favorites. I am not the only one in the family that would say that either.
The Fudgy Coating
They are the best combination of buttery cookie and rich fudgy coating. One bite and you will fall in love!
Rather than dip the cookies in candy melts or melted chocolate, you make a fudge to dip them in. You are going to find your self coming up all sorts of things to put this on.
MiMi thinks the extra is the BEST topping for ice cream. I have used it to frost other cookies as well, including some fun fudge topped donut shaped sugar cookies.
It sets up perfectly for stacking, but doesn’t have the snap of straight chocolate. You have to try it! Go ahead and make a couple of batches, turn up the Christmas music and make an afternoon of it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies with something other than pecans?
Yes, any finely chopped nut will do. Almonds would be delicious or try walnuts if they are your favorite. Pistachios would be fun too and would add a bit of color.
Do I have to shape the cookies into crescents?
Of course not, if you are in a hurry or just don’t feel like shaping the cookies they bake wonderfully as balls as well. Just use a cookie scoop or a spoon to make rounded cookies.
What if I don’t want to dip them in the chocolate fudge?
That’s fine too. Just roll the baked cookies in powdered sugar instead.
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Fudge Dipped Pecan Crescent Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup butter softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
Fudge
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- ½ cup milk
- 3 cups sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F
- Mix all of the cookie ingredients together. It will be crumbly at first, but it will come together.1 cup butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, 2 cups all purpose flour, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Shape dough into crescents (or small balls) and place on cookie sheets.
- Bake until lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- Allow to cool on the cookies sheet.
- For the fudge, melt chocolate chips, butter and milk in a double boiler.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 3 Tablespoons butter, ½ cup milk
- Whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth.3 cups sifted powdered sugar
- Dip cookies in fudge and place on wax paper until completely set.
- Store in a airtight container.
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Hi! was just wondering if i left the nuts out because of allergies would i have to add something else as a filler. i just love the idea of these cookies for a tray.thank you!
I would think that should work fine. It would be a lot like a shortbread cookie.
My favorite holiday recipe is my French Silk Pie!
That is one of my favorites too!
These fudge dipped crescent cookies look pretty simple to make, but so good.
They are pretty simple, but so good!
My husband has a few ornaments in boxes, which I thought was really strange until now! And these cookies, Carlee! I've never seen this variation before, and I will definitely be trying them 🙂
Ha! See, I'm not the only one =) We love these cookies, the fudge really adds something.
Made these this weekend. Delicious! I think they will be a new tradition 🙂
I have TONS of ornaments in their original boxes–some from when I was a baby! My mom keeps all of her ornaments in their original boxes too; I never thought it was weird, haha! Anyway, these cookies look fabulous and I'm adding them to my Christmas baking list!
I didn't think it was either until my husband informed me it was! Original box ornament havers unite!
That is a great idea!! I can't wait to try that!
Carlee, I'm just dropping by from the "Wrapping up the Holidays" link party to let you know that you are one of my features. Congratulations and Happy Holidays!
Thanks, Mary! I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season!
Fabulous!! I hope you had a great holiday!
Thank you! We had a great Christmas, I hope you did too!