Best 7 Hungarian Walnut Cookies Recipes

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Hungarian Walnut Cookies, known as diótorta or diós koszorú in Hungarian, are a traditional pastry beloved for their rich, nutty flavor and delicate texture. These cookies are a staple of Hungarian cuisine, often enjoyed during festive occasions like Christmas and weddings. Made with a sweet yeast dough and a generous filling of ground walnuts, these cookies are not only delicious but also visually appealing with their distinctive wreath shape.

The article provides two recipes for Hungarian Walnut Cookies: a classic version and a simplified version for those short on time or with limited baking experience. The classic recipe offers a more authentic taste and texture, while the simplified version streamlines the process without compromising on flavor. Both recipes include detailed instructions and helpful tips to guide bakers through the process of making these delightful cookies. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice, the article ensures that you can create these Hungarian delicacies in your own kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey to experience the irresistible charm of Hungarian Walnut Cookies.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

HUNGARIAN WALNUT COOKIES



Hungarian Walnut Cookies image

As a child, I always looked forward to eating these goodies at Christmastime. Now I make them for my own family. -Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
3 large egg whites
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
3-1/2 cups ground walnuts
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until blended. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture. Divide dough into 3 portions. Shape each into a disk. Wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 375°. For filling, in a small bowl, beat egg whites and vanilla on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on medium after each addition until well blended. Stir in walnuts., Generously coat a work surface with confectioners' sugar. Roll 1 portion of dough into a 12-in. square about 1/8 in. thick, sprinkling with additional confectioners' sugar as necessary to coat well. Cut into sixteen 3-in. squares., Shape 2 teaspoons filling into a small log about 2 in. long. Place diagonally onto a square. Overlap opposite corners of dough over filling; pinch tightly to seal. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough and filling., Bake until bottoms are golden brown, 9-11 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar., To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. , Freeze option: Freeze cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw before serving. If desired, dust with additional confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 129 calories, Fat 9g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 49mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

HUNGARIAN KIFFLES



Hungarian Kiffles image

This is the real deal, direct from my Hungarian descendants. These yummy, delicate cookies are just the right amount of sweetness and are absolutely addicting! Simple ingredients, but do take some work, but well worth it! Always a holiday favorite!

Provided by Rach

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Eastern European     Hungarian

Time 8h25m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound butter, softened
1 pound cream cheese, softened
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 pound walnuts, ground
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons milk, or more as needed

Steps:

  • Beat butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer until pale yellow and creamy. Gradually add 2 cups flour to butter mixture until the dough is too thick for the mixer. Stir remaining 2 cups flour into the butter mixture by hand and knead until dough falls off hands easily. Roll dough into a ball, place in bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Stir walnuts and sugar together in a bowl. Pour milk into walnut mixture and stir to form a paste.
  • Turn dough onto a floured work surface and roll to desired thickness. Cut dough into 2-inch squares. Place about 1 teaspoon walnut filling in the center of each square. Roll the dough from 1 corner to the other corner around the walnut filling and transfer to a baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until light brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289.4 calories, Carbohydrate 18.3 g, Cholesterol 41.1 mg, Fat 23 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 10.1 g, Sodium 110.8 mg, Sugar 6 g

HUNGARIAN NUT HORNS



Hungarian Nut Horns image

My mother shared this recipe with me over 30 years ago. Nut horns are especially nice for buffets because they are easy to pick up and eat with your fingers. They also freeze well.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 8 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110°-115°)
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups cold butter, cubed
3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar
NUT FILLING:
3 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups ground walnuts

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolks, sour cream, vanilla and yeast mixture. Mix well with hands (dough will not be sticky). , For filling, in a small bowl, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla. Fold in walnuts. , Divide dough into eight portions. On a work surface heavily coated with confectioners' sugar, roll one portion into a 12-in. circle. Cut into 12 wedges. Spread 1 teaspoon filling over each wedge; tuck in edges of wide end and roll up toward narrow point. Repeat with remaining dough and filling, adding confectioners' sugar to work surface as needed. , Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 64 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 44mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

HUNGARIAN NUT NUGGETS (COOKIES)



Hungarian Nut Nuggets (Cookies) image

Make and share this Hungarian Nut Nuggets (Cookies) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Karen..

Categories     Dessert

Time 30m

Yield 60-70 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 lb butter, room temperature
10 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 cups of medium-coarse chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups flour

Steps:

  • In a large bowl blend the ingredients with a wire pastry blender until the ingredients form when squeezed together.
  • Form into balls (or nuggets) by tablespoons; dough will be very crumbly, I press and form them in my palms instead of my fingers.
  • Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes until they start to brown around edges.
  • Watch them so they do not burn.
  • Cool and roll in powdered sugar.
  • Store in cool place until serving.

HUNGARIAN NUT ROLLS



Hungarian Nut Rolls image

It isn't officially the holidays until I've made this treasured nut roll recipe from my husband's grandmother. The apple-walnut filling is moist, subtly sweet and flavorful. -Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 loaves (12 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sour cream
3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
6 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
1-1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4-1/2 cups ground walnuts
1 large apple, peeled and grated
ICING:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the sugar, salt, butter, sour cream, eggs and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for until smooth, 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, egg and cinnamon. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat; gently stir in walnuts and apple. Cool completely., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 4 portions. Roll each into a 12x10-in. rectangle. Spread filling to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes., Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Combine icing ingredients; drizzle over loaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 222 calories, Fat 12g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 87mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

HUNGARIAN NUT CRESCENTS



Hungarian Nut Crescents image

Traditional Hungarian treats, very popular with kids and adults. Make sure you let the dough chill overnight to make it easier to work with. Prep time reflects overnight chilling.

Provided by Felix4067

Categories     Dessert

Time P1DT20m

Yield 120 cresents

Number Of Ingredients 16

pastry dough
1 cup butter
1 cup shortening
6 1/4 cups flour
2 tablespoons yeast
1 pint sour cream
3 egg yolks
1 pinch salt
1/2 lb ground walnuts
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 egg whites, stiffly beaten
1 egg yolk
3 -5 drops water
extra sugar

Steps:

  • In a bowl, cut the butter and shortening into the flour until the mixture is crumbly.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the yeast into sour cream, then add egg yolks and salt.
  • Combine with the flour mixture.
  • Mix until smooth and the sides of the bowl are clean.
  • Form into a large ball and chill, covered, overnight.
  • To make filling, mix walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and stiffly beaten egg whites together in a bowl.
  • To make egg wash mix egg yolk and few drops of water in a small bowl.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Sprinkle granulated sugar onto a pastry board.
  • Divide the dough into six portions.
  • Work with one portion at a time, refrigerating the dough you are not using.
  • Roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thick and sprinkle with more sugar.
  • Cut into 2 x 2-inch squares.
  • Place a bit of the nut filling along one end of the square and roll up.
  • Form into a crescent.
  • Place seam side down on a greased cookie sheet.
  • Paint with egg wash.
  • Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

HUNGARIAN NUT COOKIES



Hungarian Nut Cookies image

Provided by Rozanne Gold

Categories     Cookies     Food Processor     Mixer     Egg     Nut     Bake     Quick & Easy     Spring

Yield Makes 24

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 cups hazelnuts or walnuts, lightly toasted
2 extra-large egg whites
1 cup packed dark brown sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In bowl of a food processor, process nuts until coarsely ground. Set aside.
  • Place egg whites in bowl of an electric mixer with a pinch of salt. Beat until just beginning to stiffen. Add brown sugar and beat until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy. Carefully fold in nuts with a flexible rubber spatula.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop heaping tablespoons of batter onto parchment. Bake 20 minutes, or until cookies are dark beige and just set.
  • Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet. Remove with spatula, and store in a tightly covered tin.

Tips:

  • Use good quality walnuts. Freshly ground walnuts yield the best flavor and texture.
  • Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will result in tough cookies.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just set. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. This will help them keep their shape and flavor.

Conclusion:

Hungarian Walnut Cookies are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be customized with different flavors and toppings. Whether you enjoy them plain, dipped in chocolate, or topped with powdered sugar, these cookies are sure to be a hit.

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