Italian Nut Roll - Italiancookies.com
A Taste of Italian Heritage

Italian Nut Roll Cookies are more than just dessert. they’re a link to the past. Born in the kitchens of southern and central Italy, these cookies reflect the deep love Italians have for family, food, and tradition.

You’ll find different names depending on where you are Cucidati in Sicily, Gubana in Friuli, or simply “nut rolls” in Italian American homes. Every region adds its own twist. In Sicily, figs, citrus zest, and spices might dominate the filling. In the north, you’ll find more walnuts, raisins, and sometimes even a splash of liqueur. Despite the differences, the heart of these cookies stays the same: rich, sweet, and full of love.

A Holiday Favorite, these cookies are especially popular around Christmas and Easter. That’s when Italian families gather, cook together, and bake dozens sometimes hundreds of cookies. It’s not just about feeding loved ones. It’s about carrying on a family ritual.

Italian Nut Roll - Italiancookies.com
These Authentic Italian Nut Roll Cookies are a cherished family tradition—flaky, tender pastries wrapped around a sweet, spiced walnut filling that’s bursting with old-world flavor. The dough, enriched with sour cream, bakes up soft and golden, creating the perfect base for a cozy blend of finely ground walnuts, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and a hint of fresh citrus zest.
Rolled into delicate spirals and brushed with a glossy egg wash, these cookies emerge from the oven beautifully golden and ready for a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time & Finishing 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
Nut Filling
  • 2 cups finely ground walnuts
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup whole milk (room temperature)
  • ½ Zest of ½ orange
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup finely chopped dates or figs (Optional)
Finishing
  • 1 egg (beaten with 1 tbsp water for egg wash)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix in the softened butter.
  2. In another bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
  3. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix just until a dough forms.
  4. Divide dough into 4 equal portions, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Prepare Filling
  1. Combine ground nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange zest, and optional dried fruit.
  2. Add warm milk, honey, and vanilla. Stir until thick and spreadable. Let cool.
Assemble Cookies
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Roll out each portion of dough into a rectangle (~⅛ inch thick).
  3. Spread a thin layer of nut filling over the dough, leaving a ½-inch edge.
  4. Roll up tightly like a jelly roll. Slice into 1-inch pieces.
  5. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, seam side down. Brush with egg wash.
  6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–20 minutes, or until golden.
  7. Let cookies cool on wire racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Use Fresh Walnuts: For the best flavor, use fresh, high-quality walnuts and grind them just before making the filling. Pre-ground or stale nuts can make the filling taste bitter or flat.
Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough for at least 1 hour (or overnight) makes it easier to roll out and prevents it from sticking. Cold dough also holds its shape better when baked.
Roll Evenly: Roll the dough to an even thickness (about 1/4-inch) so the cookies bake uniformly. If it’s too thin, they may burn or dry out.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies should be lightly golden, not deeply browned. Overbaking can make the dough dry and hard instead of soft and tender.
Made for Celebration

Italian Nut Roll Cookies have always been more than just a sweet ending to a meal. They’re part of the celebration itself. These traditional Italian holiday cookies are packed with love and flavor, sweet honey, toasted nuts, dried fruits, and warm spices all rolled into a tender pastry. They’re especially beloved around the holidays, most famously Christmas and Easter when families gather to bake together, often using recipes passed down from grandparents or great-grandparents. Some even say the season doesn’t truly begin until the smell of nut rolls fills the kitchen.

Baked in generous batches, they’re meant to be shared with family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who stops by for a visit. In Italian culture, offering food is an expression of love, and a tray of homemade cookies is a welcome you can taste. Even today, in modern kitchens across Italy and households around the world, these cookies remain a heartfelt symbol of hospitality.

Variations on Italian Nut Roll Cookies


Pecan or Hazelnut Filling
Swap the traditional walnuts with pecans or hazelnuts for a slightly different flavor. Hazelnuts add a rich, almost chocolatey note, while pecans lend a buttery warmth.

Add Dried Fruit
For extra texture and natural sweetness, mix in a handful of chopped dried figs, raisins, or dates with the nut filling. This gives the cookies a fruit-and-nut flavor similar to Italian cuccidati.

Chocolate Drizzle or Chips
After baking, drizzle the cooled cookies with melted dark chocolate for an elegant twist. You can also sprinkle a few mini chocolate chips into the filling before rolling.

Citrus Twist
If you love bright flavors, try using both lemon and orange zest in the filling, or add a spoonful of orange marmalade for a sweet-tart boost.

Coconut Lovers’ Version
Mix in 2–3 tablespoons of unsweetened shredded coconut with the nut filling for a tropical Italian twist — think of it as a cross between a nut roll and a macaroon.

Storage

Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Line the container with parchment paper and separate layers with more parchment to prevent sticking. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for about 5–7 days, perfect for enjoying throughout the week or setting out for guests

Nut roll cookies freeze beautifully. Once cooled completely, wrap each cookie (or roll) tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date, and freeze for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the oven for that fresh-baked feel.

Avoid refrigerating them. They can dry out the dough and alter the texture. Room temp or freezer is the way to go!