Hungarian nut crescents

-----------------------------------DOUGH-----------------------------------
      1 c  butter
      1 c  Shortening
  6 1/4 c  flour
      2 tb yeast
      1 pt Sour cream
      3    Egg yolks
      1 pn Salt

----------------------------------FILLING----------------------------------
    1/2 lb Ground walnuts
  1 1/4 c  Sugar
    1/4 ts Cinnamon
      1 ts vanilla
      3    Egg whites, stiffly beaten

----------------------------------EGG WASH----------------------------------
      1    Egg yolk
           Few drops water
           Extra sugar*
 
  * for the pastry board
  
   This legacy from my Hungarian grandmother links my children to their Old
  World heritage in a most pleasing way! No one can eat only one of these
  rich little crescents. Make sure you let the dough chill overnight to make
  it easy to work with.
  
   Editor's Note: You may want to cut recipe in half for a smaller yield.
  
   In a bowl, cut the butter and shortening into the flour until the mixture
  is crumbly. In a separate bowl, mix the yeast into sour cream, then add egg
  yolks and salt. Combine with the flour mixture. Mix until smooth and the
  sides of the bowl are clean.
  
   Form into a large ball and chill, covered, overnight.
  
   To make filling, mix walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and stiffly beaten
  egg whites together in a bowl. To make egg wash mix egg yolk and few drops
  of water in a small bowl.
  
   Preheat oven to 350ø. Sprinkle granulated sugar onto a pastry board.
  Divide the dough into six portions. Work with one portion at a time,
  refrigerating the dough you are not using. Roll out the dough to 1/8-inch
  thick and sprinkle with more sugar. Cut into 2 x 2-inch squares. Place a
  bit of the nut filling along one end of the square and roll up. Form into a
  crescent. Place seam side down on a greased cookie sheet. Paint with egg
  wash. Bake at 350ø for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on wire
  racks.
  
  Yield: 10 dozen. Bunny Polmer, Editor, Kitchen Bazaar Times, Rockville, MD
  
     Randy Shearer