Description
Flaky, buttery dough wrapped around a warmly spiced walnut-honey filling — Italian Nut Roll Cookies are festive, nostalgic, and impossible to eat just one. Whether you’re celebrating the holidays or just love nutty sweets, these are a must-bake classic.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract)
- For the Filling:
- 2 cups finely ground walnuts (toasted for depth)
- ½ cup honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla. Gradually add flour until the dough comes together — soft but not sticky. Do not overmix.
- Prepare the Filling: Toast walnuts at 350°F for 5–7 minutes. Cool, then pulse in a food processor until sandy. Mix with honey, cinnamon, and cloves. If needed, add a splash of milk for spreadability.
- Roll & Fill: Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each into a 10×8-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread filling evenly, leaving a ½-inch edge. Roll tightly and pinch seams closed. Slice into 1-inch rolls.
- Bake: Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–20 minutes or until golden at the edges. Cool completely.
- Finish: Dust with powdered sugar before serving or storing in an airtight tin.
Notes
Pro Tip: Double the batch — these freeze beautifully and vanish even faster. Let cookies cool completely before slicing for the cleanest presentation. Swap walnuts with pecans or hazelnuts for a twist.
- Prep Time: PT30M
- Cook Time: PT20M
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: italian nut rolls, holiday cookies, walnut honey cookies, rolled cookies