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Italian Nut Roll Cookies Recipe

Italian Nut Roll Cookies Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 25 reviews

Italian Nut Roll Cookies are a delightful treat featuring a tender, buttery dough rolled with a sweet and spiced nut filling. These cookies combine finely chopped walnuts or pecans with brown sugar and cinnamon, rolled into a soft dough and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for holiday gatherings or an everyday indulgence, they offer a satisfying crunch and rich, warm flavors reminiscent of traditional Italian baking.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
  2. Add Eggs and Flavor: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract to enrich the dough with moisture and flavor.
  3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
  4. Form the Dough: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms, ensuring it is well combined without overmixing.
  5. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to firm up, making it easier to roll out.
  6. Make the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped walnuts or pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon, mixing thoroughly to create the flavorful filling.
  7. Roll Out the Dough: Divide the chilled dough into portions and roll each portion out into a thin rectangle on a floured surface to prevent sticking.
  8. Add the Filling: Evenly spread the nut mixture over the surface of the rolled-out dough, ensuring every bite will have a delicious filling.
  9. Roll and Slice: Carefully roll the dough tightly into a log shape, then slice into individual cookies approximately ½ inch thick for even baking.
  10. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sliced cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges.
  11. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack completely before serving to ensure they firm up and are easy to handle.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough is essential for easy rolling and to prevent the butter from melting too quickly during baking.
  • You can substitute walnuts with pecans depending on your preference or nut availability.
  • For a sweeter twist, add a light dusting of powdered sugar over cooled cookies before serving.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • These cookies freeze well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian nut roll cookies, walnut cookies, pecan cookies, cinnamon nut cookies, holiday cookies, traditional Italian dessert

Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/italian-nut-roll-cookies-recipe/