Italian Nut Roll Cookies Recipe

When you crave something truly special for your dessert table, Italian Nut Roll Cookies are an absolute must. With tender, buttery pastry wrapped around a warming spiced nut filling, these charming cookies strike the perfect balance between elegance and nostalgia—you’ll find yourself reaching for “just one more” every time! Whether enjoyed with coffee or gifted during the holidays, Italian Nut Roll Cookies offer the kind of old-world comfort and homey sweetness that makes any day feel festive.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All you need is a handful of pantry staples and a few simple steps to bring Italian Nut Roll Cookies to life. Each ingredient lends its own special flair to the texture, flavor, and irresistible aroma of these classic treats.

• Unsalted butter: The backbone of the dough, providing richness and that signature melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
• Granulated sugar: Adds just the right hint of sweetness and helps the dough brown beautifully as it bakes.
• Large eggs: These keep the dough tender and bring everything together for a smooth, workable consistency.
• Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla deepens the flavor and gives the cookie dough a gently aromatic touch.
• All-purpose flour: The structure-builder, making sure your nut roll cookies hold their iconic spiral shape.
• Baking powder: Just a little helps the dough rise slightly and bake up soft and light.
• Salt: Essential for balancing all the sweetness and enhancing every other flavor.
• Finely ground walnuts: The star of the filling, giving every bite a buttery crunch and rich, nutty goodness.
• Granulated sugar (for filling): Sweetens the walnuts so the filling pops with flavor.
• Powdered sugar: Adds delicacy to the filling, helping it melt into the cookie as it bakes.
• Ground cinnamon: Warming spice for that nostalgic, holiday-inspired flavor.
• Ground nutmeg: Just a whisper of nutmeg makes the filling feel extra cozy and irresistible.

How to Make Italian Nut Roll Cookies

Step 1: Make the Dough

Start by creaming together the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this base is what gives Italian Nut Roll Cookies their signature soft texture. Beat in your eggs, adding them one at a time so the dough stays smooth, then stir in the vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt before folding the dry mix gently into your wet mixture. Don’t overmix! Divide the dough in half, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes; this keeps your cookie spirals neat and tender.

Step 2: Prepare the Nut Filling

While the dough chills, combine your finely ground walnuts, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl. The blend of sugars and spices enhances the walnuts and creates a filling that’s nutty, fragrant, and just sweet enough—it’s the heart of every Italian Nut Roll Cookie.

Step 3: Assemble the Rolls

Once your dough is firm and ready, roll out one half at a time on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Evenly sprinkle half of the nut filling over the dough, reaching all the way to the edges for maximum flavor with every bite. Gently but tightly roll the dough up jelly-roll style, forming a compact log that will yield beautiful, spiraled slices.

Step 4: Slice and Bake

Carefully cut the roll into 1-inch slices with a sharp knife. Place each slice, spiral side up, onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them a bit apart so they have room to puff up slightly as they bake. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes, just until golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes—the aroma at this point is truly heavenly—then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling and setting up.

How to Serve Italian Nut Roll Cookies

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds snowy appeal and a delicate sweetness that beautifully complements the warm spiced filling. For an elegant touch, try a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze or a few crushed walnuts sprinkled over the top for a bit of extra crunch and visual flair.

Side Dishes

Italian Nut Roll Cookies love great company! Serve them alongside a fresh fruit platter, a bold espresso, or even a scoop of vanilla gelato for a full-on Italian dessert experience. Their gently sweet, nutty flavor also pairs perfectly with a platter of dried figs and dark chocolate for a cozy tea-time spread.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to really wow your guests, stack the cookies in a spiral on a rustic wooden tray or layer them in a glass jar tied with ribbon for gift-giving. For parties, arrange them in paper cupcake liners on a dessert table, or create a “cookie board” with other old-world Italian favorites for a truly festive presentation of your Italian Nut Roll Cookies.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Italian Nut Roll Cookies can be kept fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer wax or parchment paper between layers of cookies to keep the spirals looking picture-perfect and to prevent sticking.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully both before and after baking. Store cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. If you’d like to freeze unbaked rolls, simply wrap them well in plastic and foil, thaw slightly, slice, and bake directly from frozen for fresh-from-the-oven flavor any time.

Reheating

If your Italian Nut Roll Cookies lose a bit of their fresh-baked magic, just pop them in a 300°F oven for 4-5 minutes. The warmth revives the aroma and lightly crisps up the outer pastry, making them taste just like new.

FAQs

Can I substitute other nuts for the walnuts in Italian Nut Roll Cookies?

Absolutely! Pecans or hazelnuts are delicious in this recipe and will bring their own unique character to the filling. Just be sure to finely grind whichever nuts you use so the texture stays rich and cohesive.

Why does the dough need to chill before rolling?

Chilling helps relax the gluten in the dough and firms up the butter, making it less sticky and easier to roll out without tearing. This step is key for keeping those beautiful spiral shapes intact in your Italian Nut Roll Cookies.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and keep it tightly wrapped in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. This makes Italian Nut Roll Cookies ideal for prepping ahead for holidays or parties.

Do I have to use both granulated and powdered sugar in the filling?

The combination gives the filling its dreamy texture and helps it fuse with the dough as it bakes. While you can just use granulated sugar in a pinch, the powdered sugar is what gives Italian Nut Roll Cookies their signature soft, slightly creamy bite inside.

My cookies are spreading too much in the oven. What should I do?

This usually happens if the dough is too warm when sliced. Try chilling the assembled rolls before slicing and baking, which will help the cookies keep their pretty swirls and shape while they bake.

Final Thoughts

Few cookies bring the rich traditions and warm, welcoming spirit of Italian baking to life quite like Italian Nut Roll Cookies. Whether you’re making these for your family, sharing with friends, or starting a new holiday tradition, I know you’ll treasure every aromatic, melt-in-your-mouth bite. Go on—give them a try and watch everyone fall in love!

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