Italian Walnut Cookies Recipe (Dolci di Noci) (2024)

Italian Walnut Cookies, also known as "Dolci di Noci," are delicious and easy 4-ingredient cookies. These traditional Italian cookies are great for anyone who loves walnuts and are perfect for any occasion.

Italian Walnut cookies are a simple and delicious treat that's easy to put together and naturally gluten-free.

These are sure to be your favorite cookies and are made with just walnuts, granulated sugar, and egg whites, and are rolled in powdered sugar. Soft and chewy, you're going to love this easy recipe!

For another classic cookie, be sure to try these Italian Wedding Cookies, Italian Lemon Drop Cookies, or Pizzelle Cookies. For more Italian gluten-free cookies, you'll love Amaretti Morbidi, Sicilian Almond Cookies, authentic Italian Pine Nut Cookies made with almond paste (Pignoli cookies), or these Italian Chocolate Almond Cookies!

You'll Love Italian Walnut Cookies!

Italian Walnut Cookies are a chewy and flavorful cookie made with only four ingredients. These simple and delicious treats are great for using up walnuts or whenever you are craving a simple sweet treat.

Similar to my Italian Walnut Cake, these cookies start with a base of ground walnuts. Then, they are combined with granulated sugar and egg whites.

Here, the egg whites act as a leavening agent and keep the dough together, so there is no need to add baking powder or all purpose flour.

I like to keep these cookies simple to showcase the walnut flavor. However, you could add to it by incorporating fresh orange zest or lemon zest into the batter.

These delicious cookies are perfect for special occasions like the holiday season, but are simple enough to make year round. It's a great treat for walnut lovers or if you're looking for a gluten-free cookie.

So, if you're looking for a simple chewy cookie recipe that's full of flavor, give these Italian Walnut Cookies a try. You're going to love them!

Ingredients

Walnuts: you'll need about three cups of whole walnuts for this recipe. You can use either salted or unsalted walnuts. Feel free to toast them ahead of time for extra flavor. Use extra walnut halves to top the cookies before baking for a pretty finish.

Sugar: sweeten these Italian walnut cookies with a bit of granulated sugar in the batter. The white sugar with melt with the walnuts and create a delicious chewy texture.

Eggs: you'll only need the egg whites for these cookies. Use two large eggs and save the egg yolks to make Italian Brioche or Italian Pastry Cream.

Powdered Sugar: use confectioners' sugar to roll the cookie dough balls into before baking. This will give them a pretty cracked appearance and make them easier to handle.

Optional: you can change the flavors of these cookies by adding vanilla extract, orange zest, and a pinch of salt.

How to Make Italian Walnut Cookies

Italian Walnut cookies come together fast and only require a few ingredients. To make the cookies you will need a food processor and a cookie sheet.

To start, preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 1: grind the walnuts

In a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, pulse the walnuts until they form a fine crumb. You want the texture to be similar to coarse sand. Be careful to not over mix or you will end up with walnut butter.

Step 2: combine remaining ingredients

Pour the nut mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add in the granulated sugar and use a fork or wooden spoon to mix together the ingredients.

Next, lightly beat the egg whites and pour into the dough. Mix until a thick wet dough forms.

Step 3: roll into balls

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to measure out about a tablespoon and a half of dough (you'll need about 18 equal portions of dough). Roll dough into balls using your hands.

Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Toss the dough balls one at a time into the powdered sugar and then place on lined baking sheet leaving about two inches between each cookie ball.

Step 4: top with a walnut and bake

Lastly, press a walnut halve on the center of each cookie. Place the baking sheets on the center baking rack in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove the cookies from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.

Recipe Tips

• Pulse the walnuts in a food processor just until they resemble coarse sand. Be careful not to over process or you'll end up with nut butter.
• You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. Just cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and roll in powdered sugar before baking.
• I like to add a walnut to the tops of the cookies before baking but this is optional.
• Store leftover Italian Walnut Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze for up to two months.

​Frequently Asked Questions

What are Italian Walnut Cookies?

Italian walnut cookies, also known as "dolci di noci," are traditional treats made with ground walnuts, sugar, and egg whites, resulting in a rich and crumbly texture. These cookies are often shaped into small rounds or crescents, baked, and sometimes dusted with powdered sugar for added sweetness.

​How to store Italian Walnut Cookies?

To store Italian walnut cookies, place them in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store the container in a cool, dry place, or you can freeze for up to a month.

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