Best 6 Italian Walnut Pillows Recipes

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In the realm of Italian pastries, walnut pillows, also known as "Cuscini di Noci", stand out as a delightful treat. These delectable pillows hail from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Their inviting appearance, featuring a golden-brown crust enveloping a soft and nutty filling, makes them a captivating sight. The symphony of flavors in each bite is a testament to the thoughtful combination of walnuts, sugar, cocoa, and spices, all harmoniously blended together. These walnut pillows aren't just limited to one variation; the article presents a delightful collection of recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic Italian dessert. From the traditional Cuscini di Noci to the indulgent Chocolate Walnut Pillows and the innovative Walnut Pillows with Honey Glaze, this diverse selection caters to various tastes and preferences. Embark on a culinary journey through the rich flavors and textures of these walnut pillows, allowing your taste buds to savor the essence of Italian pastry craftsmanship.

Let's cook with our recipes!

WALNUT-FILLED PILLOWS



Walnut-Filled Pillows image

These tender cookie pillows, filled with a delicious walnut mixture, are my husband's favorite. He says it wouldn't be Christmas without them. -Nancy Kostrej, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 28 cookies.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
3 ounces cold cream cheese
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup ground walnuts
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cut butter and cream cheese into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Blend mixture together until smooth dough forms, about 3 minutes. Pat into a rectangle; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. For filling, combine the walnuts, sugar, milk and vanilla. , Unwrap dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 17-1/2x10-in. rectangle; cut into 2-1/2-in. squares. Place a level teaspoonful of filling in the center of each square. Moisten edges with water; fold in half and seal with a fork. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Brush with egg. , Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 45mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

CUCCIDATI ITALIAN WALNUT PILLOWS



Cuccidati Italian Walnut Pillows image

Cuccidati is an Italian cookie usually featuring a fig filling. I prefer them with the walnut filling. These are perfect cookies to entertain, make for a wedding or some kind of special occasion, I like to just make them because they are yummy and I also like to sometimes drizzle chocolate over the top.

Provided by Annamaria Settanni McDonald

Categories     Cookies

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 17

DOUGH
1 c sugar
1 c shortening
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 c milk
4 1/2 c all purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
FILLING
1 1/2 lb chopped walnuts
1 stick butter, melted
1 1/2 c sugar
4 egg whites, lightly beaten
ICING
2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 Tbsp milk

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • 2. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream together the sugar and shortening. Add the egg and vanilla and combine well. Add in the remaining ingredients, alternating between the flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture and making sure all of the ingredients are well incorporated. The dough will be soft. Divide the dough into four even pieces, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • 3. To make the filling, either process the nuts through a food processor until finely chopped (just a smidge larger than all-out ground), or chop by hand. The smaller the pieces, the better. Combine the chopped nuts with the sugar and then add in the melted butter. Mix well, making sure there are no large clumps. Add the egg whites and again, mix well.
  • 4. On a well-floured surface, roll out a piece of dough into a rectangle measuring about 6 inches by 18 inches. Spread ¼ of the nut filling onto the dough, leaving a small border around the perimeter of the dough. Roll up as you would a jelly roll, with the short ends to the left and right of you, and seal the ends. Cut the roll into 1-inch pieces and place on the cookie sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are just slightly starting to turn brown. Cool completely. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough and remaining filling.
  • 5. Once the cookies are cooled, prepare the icing by mixing together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to achieve the desired consistency. You'll want the icing to be thick enough to not be runny, but still easily spreadable. Ice the tops of the cookies and let set completely before storing in an airtight container.
  • 6. You can use the icing or drizzle melted semi sweet chocolate on top.

PESTO PIZZA PILLOWS



Pesto Pizza Pillows image

Provided by Molly Yeh

Categories     appetizer

Time 35m

Yield 24 pieces

Number Of Ingredients 9

Vegetable oil, for frying
24 square wonton wrappers
1 large egg, beaten
2 cups grated low-moisture mozzarella
4 ounces sweet Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup prepared pesto
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling
Kosher salt
Warmed marinara sauce, such as Rao's, for serving

Steps:

  • Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 365 degrees F.
  • Lay out the wonton wrappers on your work surface. Brush each entire wrapper with egg wash. Top each with a heaping tablespoon of mozzarella, a crumble of sausage, 1/2 teaspoon pesto and 1/2 teaspoon Parmesan, leaving space around the edges. Fold the corners of each wrapper into the center to make a square. Press to seal.
  • Fry the sealed pockets in 2 batches, turning occasionally, until crisp and golden brown all over, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Season lightly with salt and sprinkle with Parmesan while still hot. Serve hot, with marinara for dipping.

ITALIAN WALNUT PILLOWS



Italian Walnut Pillows image

With Christmas just around the corner I am getting out all my recipes for my Christmas baking. This is my favorite time of the year. This is a wonderful italian cookie stuffed with nutty goodness. Its a true favorite in my family and hopefully you will give it a try and make it one of yours!

Provided by Deneece Gursky

Categories     Other Appetizers

Number Of Ingredients 18

COOKIES
1 cup crisco shortening
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
4 1/2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
WALNUT FILLING
1 1/2 pounds walnuts, chopped very very fine
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 stick butter, melted (unsalted)
4 egg whites (beaten slightly)
FROSTING FOR TOPS OF COOKIES
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 to 6 teaspoons milk

Steps:

  • 1. In a large bowl cream together sugar and Crisco. Then add the egg and vanilla and mix well.
  • 2. In a sperate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • 3. Alternating between the flour mixture and milk,add these to the sugar mixture, start and end with flour mixture. Be sure that all the ingredients are well mixed.
  • 4. Now split the dough into four equal pieces and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour or 2, in order to make the dough easier to work with.
  • 5. WALNUT FILLING:Mix together the walnuts and the sugar. Then add the melted butter to this. Mix well breaking up any large chunks or lumps. Then add the egg whites to this and mix well. Seperate filling into four equal amounts.
  • 6. Assemble: Roll out dough one piece at a time into a rectangle about 6 x 18 inches. Spread 1/4 of the walnut filling on top of this, taking it almost to the edges. Roll in jelly roll fashion and pinch the ends to seal.
  • 7. Cut your walnut roll into 1 inch slices and transfer to a greased cookie sheet.
  • 8. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. (the tops should be just beginning to brown a bit)
  • 9. Remove cookies from oven and allow to cool completely.
  • 10. (repeat with remaining 3 pieces of dough and filling)
  • 11. Icing: Mix all ingredients until the right consistancy. (only add milk 1 t at a time) Icing should be thick enough so that it doesnt run but yet is still spreadable. Frost the top of each cookie when they are completely cooled.

MOZZARELLA PILLOWS



Mozzarella Pillows image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     appetizer

Time 55m

Yield 16 tarts

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce (about 3 cups)
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
2 slices prosciutto, finely chopped
4 storebought 9-inch pie crusts
2 eggs, beaten, for egg wash
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Special equipment: scalloped ravioli cutter
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Place the marinara sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook until reduced to a thick, jam-like consistency, about 30 minutes. There should be 1 1/2 to 2 cups of reduced sauce. Let the sauce cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Stir in the mozzarella cheese and prosciutto.
  • Meanwhile, place 1 piece of dough on a work surface. Roll the dough out gently until you can cut an 8 1/2 by 9 1/2-inch rectangle. Press the scraps into a small rectangle and roll it out to the same thickness as the other rectangle. Cut 3 rectangles from the large rectangle and 1 rectangle from the small rectangle. Each should measure 8 1/2 by 3 inches. Continue rolling and cutting the remaining pie dough.
  • To form the tarts, place the rectangles on a work surface. Brush each rectangle with egg wash. Place a large spoonful of the marinara mixture in the middle of the bottom half of the rectangle. Fold the dough in half over the marinara mixture to make a 3 by 4-inch rectangle. Press the edges to seal. Using a scalloped ravioli cutter, trim the rectangles to make a decorative edge. Place the tarts on the baking sheets. Brush with egg wash and generously sprinkle with cheese. Bake until golden, about 20 to 25 minutes.

PASTA WITH WALNUT SAUCE



Pasta with Walnut Sauce image

Provided by Nigella Lawson : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 ounces shelled walnuts
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 slice bread, crusts removed
2/3 cup whole milk
1 ounce grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil (preferably Ligurian)
Salt and pepper
2 pounds any flat short pasta
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley, for garnish

Steps:

  • Put a large saucepan of water on to boil, and toast the walnuts in a dry frying pan until they begin to make a nutty aroma. Put the bread in a bowl and cover with the milk. Put most of the toasted walnuts (reserving about 1 ounce for garnish) into a blender along with the garlic, bread soaked in milk, and Parmesan. Blend until it turns smooth and creamy, then pour in the oil and season well with salt and pepper before blending again.
  • Pour into a bowl, and set aside.
  • Add pasta to boiling water with salt and cook for the required amount of time. When pasta is al dente, reserve a cup of the pasta cooking liquid and then drain the pasta, but put it in to a large bowl while it's still dripping slightly with water. Sprinkle a little olive oil over the pasta to prevent it sticking together, and then add the walnut sauce, mixing it into the pasta (splash in a little pasta cooking liquid to make the sauce less thick if needed).
  • Roughly chop the remaining walnuts and toss them over the top along with some more Parmesan and the chopped parsley.

Tips:

  • Use good quality walnuts. Fresh, plump walnuts will yield the best flavor and texture.
  • Toast the walnuts before using. This will enhance their flavor and make them more fragrant.
  • Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the cookies tough.
  • Chill the dough before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just set. Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before filling them. This will help prevent the filling from seeping out.
  • Use a variety of fillings to create different flavor combinations. Some popular fillings include chocolate ganache, whipped cream, and fruit preserves.

Conclusion:

Italian Walnut Pillows are a delicious and festive cookie that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be filled with a variety of fillings to create different flavor combinations. With their delicate flavor and beautiful presentation, these cookies are sure to impress your friends and family.

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