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A plate of golden-brown Italian nut roll cookies with flaky layers and nutty filling

Italian Nut Roll Cookies

These Italian nut roll cookies feature flaky, golden puff pastry filled with a rich walnut and almond mixture, lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. A dusting of powdered sugar adds the perfect sweet finish. Ideal for the holidays or any special occasion, these cookies are buttery, crisp, and packed with nutty flavor!

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup finely ground walnuts
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy.
  2. Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before stirring in the vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
  4. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing just until a smooth dough forms.
  5. Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Make the Nut Filling:

  1. In a bowl, mix finely ground walnuts with granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.

Assemble and Bake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness.
  3. Evenly spread the nut filling over the dough, leaving a slight border along the edges.
  4. Carefully roll the dough into a log, jelly-roll style, ensuring it stays tight to prevent air gaps.
  5. Slice the roll into 1-inch pieces using a sharp knife.
  6. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
  7. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown.
  8. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, chill the filled pastry roll in the freezer for 10 minutes before slicing.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • Variations: Swap walnuts for pecans or add orange zest for a citrusy twist.
  • Author: Joël
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 150 kca
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 60mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g

Keywords: Italian nut roll, puff pastry cookies, nut-filled pastries, holiday cookies