'Walnut' cookies: A nostalgic holiday favorite returns
"Walnut" cookies are a true classic. These cookies symbolized family warmth and the culinary creativity of our mothers and grandmothers, who could create something special from simple ingredients. Filled with sweet cream and resembling hazelnuts in shape, these crunchy cookies always disappeared quickly from the Christmas Eve table. How are they made, and what makes them so special?
The "walnut" cookies were made from basic ingredients, but the result was delightful in both appearance and taste. Filled with cream, often enhanced with ground nuts or caramel, they were a favorite dessert of both children and adults. Today, they are experiencing a resurgence as a nostalgic return to family traditions and childhood flavors.
Recipe for "Walnut" Cookies
The "walnut" cookies embody holiday tradition and evoke the warmth of home. Although their preparation might seem time-consuming, the end result is worth it—delicious, crunchy dough filled with sweet filling always makes an impression.
Ingredients:
Dough:
- 18 oz all-purpose flour
- 9 oz butter
- 5 oz powdered sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons of 18% sour cream
- a pinch of salt
Filling:
- 1 can of caramel
- 3.5 oz ground walnuts
- 1 tablespoon of rum (optional)
Preparation:
- In a bowl, mix the butter with flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add egg yolks and sour cream, and quickly knead into a smooth dough.
- Wrap the dough in foil and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Break off pieces of dough, form small balls, and place them in special walnut molds.
- Bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for 10–12 minutes until golden.
- After cooling, gently remove the cookies from the molds and fill them with a mixture of caramel and ground nuts.
Why make "walnut" cookies?
The "walnut" cookies are more than just a dessert—they are a taste of tradition, evoking warm memories of holiday gatherings with family. They are not only delicious but also impressive—perfect for the Christmas Eve table and as a sweet gift for loved ones. For many people, they also serve as a way to revisit earlier days when simplicity and homemade baked goods held special significance.
Can you make "walnut" cookies without a mold?
Yes, although a traditional walnut mold greatly facilitates their preparation, you can make these cookies without one while maintaining their unique taste. Instead of shaping the shells in a mold, you can manually form small balls from the dough and then gently flatten them into the shape of small shells or hemispheres. To give them a more "nut-like" appearance, use a fork to imprint grooves in the dough, resembling the texture of a nut.
After baking and cooling these shells, fill them with cream or caramel filling and join them in pairs to achieve the walnut effect. Although it may take a bit more time than using a mold, the final result will still taste like a traditional holiday dessert that will delight both household members and guests.
