Kifli are crescent-shaped yeast rolls that can either be consumed plain, sprinkled with poppy, sesame, or caraway seeds, or topped with fruit jam or honey. Although not much is known about the origin of kifli, there is a legend saying that kifli were invented when Christians defended Buda from the Ottomans, and as a sign of celebration, the city bakers started selling fresh bread rolls in the shape of a crescent moon.

Today, kifli are traditionally baked for Christmas in Hungary, and although there are many varieties of kifli throughout Europe, such as vanilias kifli and makos kifli, none of them are the same as the original crescent-shaped bread rolls.