Gluten Free Vegan Walnut Crescent Cookies
Holiday baking is in full swing in my kitchen. I’m baking dozens of cookies to share with friends and family, and I’ve been packaging gluten free treats to ship as edible gifts. These walnut crescent cookies are one of my favorites to make at this time of year — tender, flaky, and lightly sweet with a caramelized walnut and apricot filling.
I like to finish these cookies with a sprinkle of sparkling sugar for a little holiday shimmer and extra crunch. A light dusting transforms a simple cookie into something that looks and feels special, perfect for gift boxes or a festive platter. The sparkling sugar also adds a pleasant texture contrast to the soft pastry.
These cookies are inspired by traditional rugelach and classic Czech holiday cookies. The dough is rich and flaky thanks to a combination of vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese, and it rolls beautifully without cracking. The filling of finely chopped walnuts, apricot jam, cinnamon, and a touch of sugar caramelizes slightly as the cookies bake, creating a warm, nutty center that pairs perfectly with the pastry.
If the rolling and shaping feel a little tedious, be patient — the process is worth it. Work on a cool surface, chill your dough before rolling, and use a sharp cutter or pizza wheel to slice even wedges. Tucking the pointed ends under each crescent helps them keep their shape while baking. Brush the tops with a little non-dairy creamer or milk before sprinkling with sparkling sugar for a glossy, festive finish.
- Cookie dough
- 1 cup vegan butter sticks, softened (2 sticks)
- 8 ounces dairy-free cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup cane sugar
- 2 1/4 cups gluten free flour blend
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Walnut filling
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cane sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup apricot jam, smooth
- Topping
- 2 tablespoons coconut milk creamer or other non-dairy milk
- 2 tablespoons sparkling sugar
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese together until smooth, about 1–2 minutes. Add the cane sugar and beat until creamy.
- Add the gluten free flour blend and sea salt. Mix just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
- Divide the dough into four equal portions and shape each into a round disc. Wrap the discs in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the filling by stirring together the finely chopped walnuts, cane sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- Remove one chilled disc of dough and place it on a large piece of plastic wrap or a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a 9-inch circle.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of apricot jam evenly over the dough. Sprinkle approximately 1/3 cup of the walnut mixture over the jam and lightly press it into the dough.
- Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice the circle into 12 equal wedges. Starting from the outer edge of each wedge, roll the dough toward the center to form crescent shapes.
- Place the rolled cookies on the prepared baking sheet, tucking the outer points underneath to hold the shape. Brush the tops lightly with coconut milk creamer and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
- Repeat the rolling and filling process with the remaining dough discs and filling.
- Bake the cookies for 22–24 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the filling is slightly caramelized. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before storing.
Tips: If your dough becomes too soft while shaping, return it to the refrigerator to firm for 15–20 minutes. For a different flavor profile, swap apricot jam for raspberry or fig jam, or replace walnuts with pecans. These cookies freeze well—store baked cookies in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months and thaw at room temperature when ready to serve.
These walnut crescent cookies make an elegant addition to holiday cookie trays and thoughtful packaged gifts. The combination of flaky dairy-free pastry, warm spiced nuts, and a hint of jam creates a nostalgic, comforting flavor that’s perfect for festive gatherings.
This post has been sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. All opinions are my own.