🇮🇹✨ Italian Nut Roll Cookies – Soft, Buttery & Perfect for the Holidays
🛒 Ingredients
For the Dough:
1 cup butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
For the Nut Filling:
2 cups finely ground nuts (walnuts or pecans)
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp melted butter
2–3 tbsp milk (just enough to moisten the filling)
Optional Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
👩🍳 Instructions
Make the Dough:
In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add gradually to the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Prepare the Filling:
Mix ground nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and enough milk to create a thick, spreadable mixture.
Roll & Fill:
Divide dough into 4 sections. Roll each into a rectangle on a floured surface.
Spread a thin layer of nut filling over each piece, leaving a little space at the edges.
Shape the Rolls:
Roll each rectangle into a log. Place seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
Chill logs for 20 minutes for cleaner slicing.
Slice & Bake:
Cut each log into 1-inch cookies. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden.