🍪 Italian Nut Roll Cookies

Italian Nut Roll Cookies are traditional holiday pastries made with a soft, buttery yeast dough filled with a sweet, spiced nut filling. Rolled into logs, baked until golden, and sliced into beautiful spiral cookies, they are often enjoyed during Christmas, Easter, and family celebrations. These cookies are tender, lightly sweet, and packed with a rich walnut or pecan filling that gives them a warm, nostalgic flavor.

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📝 Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup warm milk
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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For the Nut Filling

• 2 cups finely ground walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Optional Topping

• Powdered sugar for dusting

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👩‍🍳 Full Instructions

Step 1: Activate the yeast

In a small bowl, mix warm milk with yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

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Step 2: Make the dough

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add softened butter, eggs, vanilla, and the activated yeast mixture.

Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

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Step 3: Prepare the filling

In a bowl, mix ground nuts, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, honey, and vanilla until a thick paste forms.

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Step 4: Roll out the dough

Divide dough into 2–3 portions. Roll each piece into a rectangle (about ¼ inch thick).

Spread a thin, even layer of nut filling over the dough.

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Step 5: Roll and shape

Carefully roll the dough tightly into a log, starting from the long edge.

Pinch seams to seal and place seam-side down on a baking tray.

Repeat with remaining dough.

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Step 6: Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Let the rolls cool slightly before slicing into 1-inch cookies.

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Step 7: Serve

Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm or at room temperature.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Coffee or espresso ☕
• Hot tea 🍵
• Milk 🥛
• Holiday cookie platters 🎄
• Dessert trays with pastries

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💡 Tips for Best Results

• Roll dough tightly to keep swirls neat
• Let baked rolls cool slightly before slicing to avoid crumbling
• Use finely ground nuts for smoother filling
• Add raisins or orange zest for extra flavor
• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months

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⏱️ Recipe Summary

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Rise Time: 1–1.5 hours
• Bake Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: ~2 hours 15 minutes
• Servings: 20–24 cookies

These Italian Nut Roll Cookies are soft, sweet, and beautifully swirled with a rich nut filling—classic old-world pastries that bring warmth and tradition to every bite. 🍪✨