A traditional Italian dessert with a buttery dough filled with a sweet, spiced walnut mixture, perfect for festive gatherings.
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
1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
1 cup finely ground walnuts
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions:
Make the Dough:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Make the Filling:
In a bowl, combine the ground walnuts, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Assemble and Bake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll out one half of the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4-inch thickness.
Spread the nut filling evenly over the rolled-out dough.
Roll up the dough tightly in a jelly-roll style.
Cut the roll into 1-inch slices.
Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
To prevent the dough from sticking, lightly flour your surface and roll gently. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Find it online: https://grammyrecipes.com/italian-nut-roll-cookies/