Description
Discover the delicious tradition of Italian Nut Roll Cookies! Learn about their origins, ingredients, and step-by-step baking guide.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 2 cups finely ground walnuts
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon milk
For Garnish:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine ground walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, melted butter, and milk. Mix until evenly combined.
Roll and Fill:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness.
- Spread an even layer of the walnut filling over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log and slice into 1-inch pieces.
Bake:
- Place the slices onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Garnish and Serve:
- Dust the cooled cookies generously with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Variations: Swap walnuts for pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds to personalize the flavor.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Pairing Suggestions: Perfectly paired with espresso, cappuccino, or a glass of Vin Santo wine for an authentic Italian experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 cookies per person
- Calories: 95
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Protein: 2g
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