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Italian Nut Roll Cookies Recipe

5 from 56 reviews

Cozy Italian Nut Roll Cookies are buttery, tender cookies filled with a sweet and spiced nut mixture. Perfectly rolled and sliced, these cookies deliver a delightful texture and rich flavor from walnuts or pecans combined with cinnamon and brown sugar. Ideal for holiday baking or any cozy occasion, they feature a soft dough enhanced with sour cream and vanilla, baked to golden perfection.

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: Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, fully mixing each before adding the next. Stir in sour cream and vanilla extract to combine.
  2. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms that is smooth and no longer sticky. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up.
  3. Make the Filling: While the dough chills, mix finely chopped walnuts or pecans with brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined.
  4. Roll Out the Dough: Divide the chilled dough into portions and roll each out on a lightly floured surface into a thin rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Evenly spread the nut filling over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
  5. Roll and Slice: Roll the dough tightly from one long edge into a log. Slice the log into individual cookies about ¼ to ½ inch thick, allowing for a rustic, slightly uneven appearance.
  6. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Watch carefully to avoid overbaking.
  7. Cool and Serve: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy once cooled for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Chill the dough thoroughly to make rolling easier and to help cookies hold their shape.
  • Don’t overbake; cookies should be lightly golden to maintain moisture and tenderness.
  • Feel free to substitute walnuts or pecans with almonds or hazelnuts for different flavor profiles.
  • To make the recipe dairy-free, replace butter with a non-dairy alternative and sour cream with a suitable dairy-free substitute.
  • For a lighter texture, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.

Keywords: Italian nut roll cookies, walnut cookies, pecan cookies, cinnamon nut cookies, rolled cookies, holiday cookies, buttery cookies