Print

Italian Nut Roll Cookies Recipe

4.6 from 505 reviews

These Italian Nut Roll Cookies are a delightful treat combining a buttery, tender dough with a rich filling of chopped walnuts or pecans. Rolled into elegant spirals and baked to a golden perfection, they offer a perfect balance of crunchy nuts and soft cookie texture, making them ideal for holidays or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Filling

  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder thoroughly to distribute the leavening agent evenly.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition, then add the vanilla extract for flavor.
  5. Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
  6. Fold in Nuts: Gently fold the chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough to evenly distribute the nuts without breaking them up too much.
  7. Shape the Dough: Divide the dough into equal portions. Roll each portion into a flat rectangle about ½ inch thick, then roll each rectangle tightly into a log shape to create the spiral effect.
  8. Slice the Rolls: Cut each rolled log into slices to form the individual cookies.
  9. Bake: Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cookies turn golden brown around the edges.

Notes

  • For a different nut flavor, substitute walnuts with pecans or hazelnuts.
  • Ensure butter is soft but not melted for best creaming results.
  • Rolling dough tightly is key to getting the classic nut roll swirl.
  • Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to prevent breakage.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Keywords: Italian nut roll cookies, walnut cookies, pecan cookies, holiday cookies, rolled cookies, nut spiral cookies