Description
These Italian Nut Roll Cookies feature a flaky, buttery dough filled with a sweet and spiced walnut mixture. Perfect for holidays or any special occasion! Keywords: Italian Nut Roll Cookies, holiday cookies, nut-filled cookies recipe.
Ingredients
Units
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For the Dough:
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup
- Eggs: 2 large
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
- All-purpose flour: 3 cups
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
For the Filling:
- Ground walnuts: 1 cup (finely ground)
- Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup
- Powdered sugar: 1/4 cup
- Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
- Ground nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- In a medium bowl, combine ground walnuts, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Stir until the mixture is evenly blended.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out one portion of the chilled dough on a floured surface to a thickness of ¼ inch.
- Spread half of the nut filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Slice the log into 1-inch pieces. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra sweetness, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
- These cookies freeze well; store them in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Substitute pecans for walnuts for a different nutty flavor.