Best 6 Italian Walnut Shortbread Cookies Recipes

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Italian Walnut Shortbread Cookies, also known as Biscotti di Noci, are a classic Italian treat that combines the nutty flavor of walnuts with the buttery goodness of shortbread. These cookies are characterized by their crisp texture, delicate crumb, and subtle sweetness. The recipe is simple and straightforward, requiring just a handful of pantry staples and a little bit of time. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to produce delicious and impressive cookies that will be loved by all.

In addition to the classic walnut shortbread cookies, the article also includes variations such as chocolate-dipped walnut shortbread cookies, walnut shortbread cookies with a citrus glaze, and even gluten-free walnut shortbread cookies. These variations offer a range of flavors and textures to suit different preferences and dietary needs. With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and beautiful photos, the article provides everything you need to create these delightful Italian treats in the comfort of your own home.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

WALNUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Walnut Shortbread Cookies image

Provided by Food Network

Yield Makes about 42 1 1/4-inch cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup (2 ounces) walnut pieces
1 3/4 cups (89ounces) flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter
3/4 cup (5 1/2 ounces) sugar
1 egg yolk
Maldon sea salt

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toast the walnuts until lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool, then finely grind them in a food processor. Sift flour and salt into a bowl and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on low speed, beat together the butter and sugar until lightened, about 4 minutes. Add the yolk and mix until fully incorporated. Add the dry ingredients and walnuts and mix just to combine. If the dough is soft, wrap it tightly in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Otherwise, roll out the dough about 1/2 inch thick on a lightly floured work surface into a 6-by-7-inch rectangle. Using a ruler, square the edges as much as possible. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into1-inch squares. Place them about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the cookies until they are firm, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in airtight containers for up to 2 weeks.

WALNUT FOOTBALL COOKIES



Walnut Football Cookies image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     dessert

Time 3h45m

Yield about 16 cookies, depending on the size of your cutter

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 cup ground walnuts
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
1/2 teaspoon orange zest (from 1/2 orange)

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, walnuts, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Set aside.
  • Using a hand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl on medium- high speed, scrapping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and egg and beat an additional minute.
  • Reduce the speed to low and add the flour in 3 batches, beating until the flour is just combined. Place the dough on a large piece of plastic wrap and pat it into a round disk. Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Dust the counter and dough with flour and roll the chilled dough to 1/4 inch thick. Using a football-shaped cookie cutter, cut the dough into footballs and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Bake until firm to the touch and starting to get a whisper of golden brown around the edges, about 20 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, orange liqueur and orange zest. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a narrow, round tip. When the cookies are completely cool, pipe lacing on the footballs. Allow them to set up completely before serving. Store in an airtight container to prevent drying out.

MAPLE-WALNUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Maple-Walnut Shortbread Cookies image

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 4h

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts
1 egg yolk
2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon maple flavor
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)

Steps:

  • In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds or until smooth. Add 1/2 cup of the walnuts and the egg yolk; beat until blended. On low speed, beat in flour, baking powder, salt and maple flavor until stiff dough forms. Shape dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 45 minutes.
  • Heat oven to 350°F. Divide dough into 8 equal parts. On lightly floured surface, shape each part into a rope 12 inches long and 3/4 inch thick. Cut into 2-inch lengths. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cookies about 2 inches apart; flatten slightly.
  • Bake 15 to 17 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely.
  • In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until chips can be stirred smooth. In another small bowl, place remaining 1 cup walnuts. Dip 1/2 inch of 1 long side of each cookie into chocolate, then coat chocolate edge with walnuts. Place on waxed paper; let stand about 2 hours until chocolate is set.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 100, Carbohydrate 8 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 3 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 50 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g

WALNUT SHORTBREAD



Walnut Shortbread image

Poking holes in the dough allows steam to escape, helping to give this walnut shortbread its crisp texture.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 55m

Yield Makes 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Pulse walnuts in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl, and whisk in flour and salt.
  • Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until pale and fluffy. Slowly add walnut mixture, and beat until just combined.
  • Butter an 8-inch round cake pan. Transfer dough to pan. Place a piece of plastic wrap on dough, and use it to press the dough evenly into pan (this will prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers). Cut dough into 8 wedges using a paring knife. Prick all over with a wooden skewer or fork.
  • Bake until golden brown and firm in center, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack. Recut into wedges and prick again. Let cool slightly. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

ITALIAN WALNUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Italian Walnut Shortbread Cookies image

This is another recipe i got from an aunt of mine. She makes so many cookies during the holidays. and i love each and every one of them : ) This is a delicious little shortbread cookie with walnuts adding to the yumminess.

Provided by Deneece Gursky

Categories     Cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 c confectioners sugar
1 c butter, at room temp (should be soft)
1 t vanilla (i use extract not flavor)
2 c flour
1/4 t baking powder
1/2 c ground walnuts
chocolate for dipping or drizzling

Steps:

  • 1. Beat your butter and sugar together in a large bowl until fluffy. Add your vanilla and blend in well.
  • 2. In seperate bowl sift your flour and baking soda together. Add this to the butter mix and mix in just until incorporated.
  • 3. Stir in ground walnuts by hand.
  • 4. Roll dough into a ball and place in bowl covered with saran wrap. Refrigerate for at least two to three hours
  • 5. Once dough has been refrigerated. Roll it out onto a floured surface to about 1/4 inch in thickness. Using your favorite cookie cutters cut dough into shapes.
  • 6. Place shaped dough onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. and bake in preheated 300 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Cookies should not be allowed to brown up.
  • 7. Remove from oven and cool. Once cool you can drizzle with chocolate, dip half in chocolate or dip entire cookie. Or simply eat them as is!

WALNUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Walnut Shortbread Cookies image

This recipe originally came from the back of a Diamond Walnut package back in the 1970's. I started baking a lot when I was in high school and my taste testers were my dad and my parent's best friends. These were their friend Bud's very favorites so I made them quite a bit. I thought I lost the recipe but after about an hour of searching I found it in a stack of recipes that I had given to my mom. I hope you like them as much as Bud did!

Provided by NVirginian

Categories     Dessert

Time 30m

Yield 2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • Resift the flour with the baking powder.
  • Cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually blend in the flour mixture.
  • Stir in the walnuts.
  • Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
  • Roll out onto floured board to 1/4" thickness. Cut into any shape.
  • Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
  • Make 2 to 2 1/2 dozen delicious cookies.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1577.1, Fat 112.4, SaturatedFat 60.3, Cholesterol 244, Sodium 859.5, Carbohydrate 129.5, Fiber 5.3, Sugar 30.5, Protein 18.3

Tips:

  • Make sure the butter is cold before starting. This will help keep the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. You can also chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking for an even firmer cookie.
  • Use a microplane to finely grate the zest from the lemon or orange. This will give the cookies a more intense flavor.
  • Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the cookies tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • If you don't have any chopped walnuts, you can use other nuts, such as pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts.
  • Be careful not to overbake the cookies. They should be golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center.
  • Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.

Conclusion:

Italian walnut shortbread cookies are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their buttery flavor, nutty crunch, and hint of lemon or orange zest, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a special cookie to bake, give these Italian walnut shortbread cookies a try. You won't be disappointed!

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