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Flaky Italian Nut Roll Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 115 reviews

Classic Italian Nut Roll Cookies that feature a flaky buttery dough enveloping a sweet, crunchy nut filling. These cookies are perfect for festive occasions or as a delightful treat alongside coffee or tea.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Consider gluten-free blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter (Room temperature for easy mixing)
  • ½ cup Granulated Sugar (Reduce for less sweet cookies if desired)
  • 2 Eggs (Room temperature for optimal blending)
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Optional almond extract for variation)
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt (Essential for balancing sweetness)

Filling Ingredients

  • 1 cup Chopped Nuts (Walnuts or Pecans, alternative options include raisins or chopped dates)
  • ¼ cup Powdered Sugar (To dust lightly before serving)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the room temperature unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Incorporate eggs and vanilla: Add the two room temperature eggs and vanilla extract to the flour and butter mixture. Stir gently until all ingredients are well blended into a cohesive dough. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
  3. Prepare the nut filling: Finely chop or process the nuts in a bowl. Mix in granulated sugar to create a sweet nut mixture ready to be spread on the dough.
  4. Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a rectangle approximately ¼ inch thick. Take care to maintain even thickness for consistent baking.
  5. Spread the filling: Evenly spread the prepared nut mixture over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border along the edges to prevent filling from spilling out when rolling.
  6. Form the log and slice: Carefully roll the dough tightly into a log shape, placing seam side down to secure it. Slice the log into cookies approximately 1 inch thick, ensuring uniformity for even baking.
  7. Bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the cookie slices spaced apart for proper air circulation. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cookies turn golden brown.
  8. Cool and garnish: Remove cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust them lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant finish before serving.

Notes

  • Enjoy these cookies with a cup of coffee or tea to enhance their nutty sweetness.
  • Feel free to experiment with different nuts or add-ins like raisins or chopped dates for variation.
  • Chilling the dough is important to make it easier to roll and to achieve a flaky texture.
  • You can substitute almond extract for vanilla extract to add a different flavor profile.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.

Keywords: Italian nut roll cookies, nut roll, Italian dessert cookies, flaky cookies, homemade nut cookies

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