Vanilla Crescents (Vanilkove rohlicky)

Ingredients

 * 1/2 lb unsalted butter, softened
 * 1/2 cup sugar
 * 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
 * 1 1/4 cups ground unblanched almonds
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 * 1/2 teaspoon salt
 * confectioners' sugar

Directions

 * Cream the butter and sugar together by beating them against the sides of a bowl with a wooden spoon (or with electric mixer at medium speed) until light and fluffy.
 * Beat in the flour 1/2 cup at a time, then add the almonds, vanilla extract and salt, continuing to beat until the mixture becomes a slightly stiff dough.
 * Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in wax paper and refrigiate it for about an hour.
 * Preheat the oven to 350 degree.
 * Lightly butter two 12" by 15" baking sheets.
 * Pinch off walnut sized pieces of the chilled dough and place them on a floured board; roll each one into a strip an inch wide and 1/2 inch thick.
 * This will make it about 2-1/2 inches long.
 * Shape each piece into a crescent by pulling it into a semi-circle. Arrange the crescents at least 1/2 inch apart on the baking sheet.
 * Bake in oven for 15- 20 minutes, remove and leave to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cake rack.
 * Dust with confectioners' sugar.
 * Many people prefer"vanilkove rohlicky" a few days old.