If you’re craving a delightful treat that marries buttery richness with a warm, nutty filling, this Italian Nut Roll Cookie Recipe is exactly what you need. These tender, rolled cookies offer a perfect balance of soft dough and a cinnamon-spiced walnut filling, dusted lightly with powdered sugar to finish. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just indulging your sweet tooth, these cookies bring a comforting, homemade charm that turns any day into a special occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Believe me, making this Italian Nut Roll Cookie Recipe is a breeze with these straightforward, classic ingredients. Each one plays an essential role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and aroma that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The backbone of your cookie dough, providing structure and softness.
- Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Helps the dough rise just enough to stay tender without being cakey.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet and nutty flavors subtly without overpowering.
- Unsalted butter, softened (½ cup): Adds richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the dough and aids in the golden crust.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the ingredients and add moisture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Keeps the dough moist and tender while adding a slight tang.
- Finely chopped walnuts (1½ cups): The star of the filling, providing crunchiness and rich nuttiness.
- Brown sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the filling with a hint of molasses for complexity.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Invokes cozy, spicy notes that compliment the nuts perfectly.
- Melted butter (1 tablespoon): Binds the filling ingredients and adds a silky texture.
- Powdered sugar (for dusting): Adds a beautiful, snowy finish that makes these cookies irresistible.
How to Make Italian Nut Roll Cookie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking together your dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning throughout the dough. Then, in a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy, which will give your cookies a delightful airy texture.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat the eggs into your butter and sugar mixture one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until the mixture is silky smooth. The sour cream here is the secret weapon for making dough that stays soft and tender after baking.
Step 3: Combine Dry and Wet
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until a soft dough forms. It’s key not to overwork the dough so your cookies turn out tender rather than tough. Once combined, divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This step helps relax the gluten for easier rolling later.
Step 4: Make the Filling
While the dough chills, mix together the finely chopped walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a small bowl. This rich, spiced filling is what gives the Italian Nut Roll Cookie Recipe its distinct and beloved taste.
Step 5: Assemble the Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Flour your work surface lightly, then roll out one half of the dough into a thin rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Spread half of your walnut filling evenly across the dough, leaving a small border on the edges. Carefully roll the dough up starting from the long side to create a log.
Step 6: Slice and Bake
Slice the roll into 1-inch thick cookies and place them cut-side down on the baking sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges turn a delicate golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool completely before dusting generously with powdered sugar.
How to Serve Italian Nut Roll Cookie Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies look stunning dusted with powdered sugar, which adds an elegant snowy touch. For an extra festive look, you might sprinkle some finely chopped walnuts on top or drizzle a little warm honey glaze. The contrast between the soft cookie and delicate garnishes takes presentation to the next level.
Side Dishes
Italian Nut Roll Cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a warm chai tea, making them a perfect afternoon treat. Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla gelato or a small bowl of fresh fruit for an inviting dessert spread that’s sure to impress guests.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to surprise your friends or family, slice the rolls thinner and arrange them on a decorative platter layered with wax paper for a charming rustic feel. You could even place individual cookies in small paper cupcake liners, tied with a ribbon, to turn them into delightful homemade gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once baked and fully cooled, store the Italian Nut Roll Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, which means you can enjoy your baking efforts for days without worry.
Freezing
These cookies freeze exceptionally well. You can freeze the cookie logs before slicing or the baked cookies themselves. Wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or freeze baked cookies in airtight containers with parchment paper between layers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing or serving.
Reheating
If you like to enjoy your Italian Nut Roll Cookie Recipe warm, pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm them gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. This revives their soft texture and brings out the fragrant aroma of the cinnamon and walnuts beautifully.
FAQs
Can I substitute pecans for the walnuts in this recipe?
Absolutely! Pecans make a fantastic substitute and offer a slightly sweeter, buttery flavor, which pairs wonderfully with the cinnamon and brown sugar in the filling.
Do I have to use sour cream in the dough?
Sour cream adds moisture and tenderness, but if you prefer, you can substitute it with plain Greek yogurt or even buttermilk. Just expect a slight variation in texture but still delicious results.
How thick should I roll out the dough?
Rolling the dough to about ¼ inch thick is ideal for this recipe. Thinner dough might cause the rolls to be too crisp, while thicker dough could make the cookies overly dense.
Can I prepare the dough and filling a day ahead?
Yes, prepping ahead actually enhances the flavors. Keep the dough wrapped and chilled and store the filling sealed in the fridge overnight. Assemble and bake the following day for fresh, delicious cookies.
What’s the best way to slice the dough rolls evenly?
Use a sharp serrated knife and slice gently with a back-and-forth motion to avoid squishing the rolls. You can also chill the logs slightly before slicing to get cleaner cuts.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard to resist the warm, nostalgic charm of this Italian Nut Roll Cookie Recipe. Whether you bake it for a festive gathering or a cozy weekend treat, it’s bound to become a beloved favorite that brings smiles and sweet memories. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy every delicious bite!
Print
Italian Nut Roll Cookie Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Italian Nut Roll Cookie is a delightful holiday treat featuring a tender, buttery dough rolled with a sweet cinnamon and walnut filling. Perfectly spiced and dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies combine a soft texture with a crunchy nutty bite, making them an irresistible addition to any festive dessert spread.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
Filling Ingredients
- 1½ cups finely chopped walnuts
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Finishing
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined to ensure an even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add eggs and flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream until the batter is smooth and creamy.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms without overworking it, which keeps the cookies tender.
- Chill the dough: Divide the dough in half, wrap each half tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough for easier rolling and shaping.
- Prepare the filling: While the dough chills, mix finely chopped walnuts, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter together in a small bowl until evenly combined to create the flavorful filling.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll one half of the chilled dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. This shape helps achieve uniform cookie sizes.
- Fill and shape cookies: Spread half of the nut filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Carefully roll the dough from the long side into a tight log, then slice into 1-inch thick cookies. Place each cookie cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat for remaining dough and filling: Roll out the second half of dough, spread with remaining filling, roll into a log, slice, and arrange on the baking sheet as before.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still tender.
- Cool and finish: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack to set properly. Once cooled, dust them generously with powdered sugar before serving to add a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- These cookies freeze well and can be made ahead of time, making them ideal for holiday preparations.
- For a variation in flavor, try adding a splash of almond extract to the dough or substitute walnuts with pecans for a different nutty taste.
