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Italian Nut Roll Cookies

Italian Nut Roll Cookies

Patricia
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 30 cookies
Calories 140 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Dough:

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

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup finely ground walnuts
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in half, shape it into discs, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Make the Walnut Filling

  • In a medium bowl, combine the finely ground walnuts, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until well blended.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a rectangle, about ¼-inch thick. Trim the edges for a clean shape.

Step 4: Add the Filling

  • Sprinkle half of the walnut filling mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough. Gently press the filling into the dough with a rolling pin to help it stick.

Step 5: Roll and Cut the Cookies

  • Starting from one long side, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, similar to a jelly roll. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into ½-inch slices and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

  • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Repeat with the Second Disc of Dough

  • Repeat the rolling, filling, and baking process with the second disc of dough.

Notes

  • Chilling the Dough: Chilling is essential to ensure the dough is firm enough to roll and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
  • Rolling the Dough: Roll the dough as evenly as possible to ensure that the cookies bake uniformly.
  • Customize the Filling: Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste—add more cinnamon or a pinch of cloves for extra warmth.