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Absolutely! Here’s an engaging and informative article for Italian Nut Roll Cookies, perfect for a food blog, recipe site, or holiday baking feature:
Italian Nut Roll Cookies: A Sweet Tradition Wrapped in Every Bite
If you’re looking for a cookie that captures old-world charm and timeless flavor, Italian Nut Roll Cookies are a delicious way to bring a little bit of tradition to your kitchen. These tender, flaky pastry-style cookies are filled with a sweet, nutty mixture—typically featuring walnuts, cinnamon, and sugar—then rolled, baked, and sliced into beautiful swirls. They’re perfect for holidays, celebrations, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of coffee.
Handed down through generations, these cookies are a staple in many Italian and Italian-American households, especially around Christmas and Easter. But once you try them, you’ll want to make them year-round.
What Are Italian Nut Roll Cookies?
Italian Nut Roll Cookies (sometimes called nut pinwheels or nut crescents, depending on the shape) are delicate rolled pastries filled with a rich nut filling. While every family has their own twist, the base is usually a cream cheese or butter dough that’s chilled, rolled out, filled, and baked to golden perfection. The filling is warm and sweet with finely chopped nuts—most often walnuts—mixed with sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Filling:
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped walnuts
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1–2 tbsp milk (if needed, to loosen the mixture slightly)
Optional for Finishing:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water) for golden tops
Instructions
- Make the dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add sugar, vanilla, and salt. Gradually mix in
