Italian Nut Roll Cookies

Description:

Italian Nut Roll Cookies are a beloved holiday treat in many Italian households. These soft, sweet cookies are filled with a nutty, spiced filling and rolled into a crescent shape, creating a deliciously delicate texture. Often dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies have a perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness, making them ideal for festive occasions or any special gathering. Their rich, buttery flavor combined with a nutty filling makes them irresistible!

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• All-purpose flour: 2 ½ cups
• Granulated sugar: 1 cup
• Unsalted butter: 1 cup (softened)
• Eggs: 2 large
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
• Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
• Salt: ½ teaspoon
• Milk: 2-3 tablespoons (as needed)

For the Nut Filling:

• Ground walnuts: 1 cup (or mixed nuts like pecans or hazelnuts)
• Granulated sugar: ¼ cup
• Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
• Honey: 2 tablespoons
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
• Lemon zest: 1 teaspoon (optional, for added brightness)
• Egg white: 1 (for binding the filling)

For the Topping:

• Powdered sugar: ½ cup (for dusting)

Optional Ingredients:

• Rum or brandy: 1 tablespoon (to flavor the filling)
• Orange zest: 1 teaspoon (as an alternative to lemon zest for a citrus twist)

Tips for Success:

1. Chill the dough: Let the dough chill for at least an hour before rolling to make it easier to work with and achieve a better texture.
2. Rolling technique: Roll the dough out evenly on a floured surface to ensure consistent-sized cookies.
3. Nut filling consistency: The filling should be thick enough to stay in place but soft enough to spread easily. If it’s too thick, add a little more honey or a splash of milk.
4. Keep an eye on the baking time: The cookies should be golden on the edges but not overbaked, as you want them soft and tender.

Steps to Make It:

1. Prepare the dough:
   • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 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 a dough forms. Add milk if needed to achieve a soft, pliable dough.
   • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
2. Prepare the nut filling:
   • In a food processor, pulse the ground nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest (if using) until finely mixed. Add the honey and vanilla extract, then beat in the egg white to bind the mixture together. If using rum or brandy, add it to the mixture as well. The filling should be thick but spreadable.
3. Roll out the dough:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   • After chilling, take the dough out of the fridge. On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a thin rectangle, about ⅛ inch thick. Cut the dough into smaller rectangles (about 3 inches wide) that you can roll into crescent shapes.
4. Assemble the cookies:
   • Spread a thin layer of nut filling onto each rectangle of dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
   • Roll the dough up into a tight crescent shape, starting from the shorter edge. Pinch the edges to seal the filling inside.
5. Bake the cookies:
   • Place the rolled cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden and lightly browned on the edges.
6. Cool and dust with powdered sugar:
   • Let the cookies cool on a wire rack. Once completely cool, dust with powdered sugar to give them a sweet, festive touch.

Recommendations:

• Serving suggestion: Serve these cookies with a warm cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate for a perfect holiday treat.
• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months—just make sure they’re fully cooled before freezing.
• Customize: You can try different nuts in the filling, such as almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts, depending on your preference.

Nutrition (Per Cookie, Approx. 1/20 of Recipe):

• Calories: ~150
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Sugar: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 50mg

These Italian Nut Roll Cookies bring together the sweet and nutty flavors of the holidays in every bite. Whether served at a family gathering or shared as a gift, they are sure to be a hit!