Description
Savory Italian nut rolls showcase a family heirloom passed through generations of passionate bakers. Rich nutty layers combine with tender dough, inviting memories of warmth and tradition you’ll cherish with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ pound walnuts, ground fine
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 pound butter or margarine (4 sticks)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ pint sour cream
- 3 large egg whites, divided
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- Powdered sugar (for rolling dough and finishing)
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks, then cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Gradually incorporate flour, salt, and remaining dry ingredients to form a smooth, cohesive dough.
- Dough Maturation: Wrap the dough and refrigerate overnight to develop deeper flavor profiles and enhance texture.
- Nutty Filling Creation: Whip egg whites to stiff peaks, gently fold in vanilla, honey, ground walnuts, and sugar until a rich, uniform filling emerges.
- Filling Refinement: Chill the walnut mixture overnight to allow flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Pastry Assembly: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). On a sugar-flour dusted surface, roll out chilled dough into a thin sheet and cut into precise squares.
- Filling and Shaping: Center a spoonful of walnut mixture on each dough square, then elegantly fold corners to create compact, triangular parcels.
- Pre-Baking Preparation: Delicately brush pastries with egg white for a glossy finish, then generously coat with powdered sugar.
- Baking Process: Arrange pastries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until edges achieve a golden-brown caramelization.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from oven, cool completely, and dust with a final layer of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Optimize Dough Chilling: Refrigerate overnight to develop deeper flavor complexity and improve pastry texture, ensuring a more refined result.
- Master Egg White Technique: Whip to stiff, glossy peaks carefully to create a light, airy filling that provides structural integrity and delicate sweetness.
- Precise Temperature Control: Maintain exact 375°F oven temperature for perfect golden-brown edges and consistent caramelization across all pastries.
- Sugar Coating Strategy: Apply powdered sugar before and after baking to create a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth exterior that enhances visual appeal and taste.
- Prep Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 319
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg