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Nut Roll Recipe
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Nut Roll Recipe

An Eastern European Christmas and Easter tradition, this nut roll recipe can be made with ground walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, raisins and even a poppy seed filling.
Course Baked Goods
Cuisine European
Keyword Christmas, kolachi, nut roll
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 15
Calories 523kcal
Author Florentina

Ingredients

Nut Roll Filling

Egg Wash

  • 1 tsp water
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  • To the bowl of your kitchen aid mixer add the flour, butter, milk, sour cream, 1 egg, sea salt, yeast and 3 tbsp sugar. Mix to combine well and knead a few minutes until a smooth dough forms. The dough shouldn’t stick to the bowl.
  • Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for at least 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile Make the Nut Filling
    Melt the butter in a large skillet and add sugars. Stir to combine well and remove from heat. Mix in the chopped nuts, vanilla extract, orange zest and allow to cool completely. Beat 1 egg and mix it with the cooled off nut roll filling. Set aside.
  • After the dough has risen for 1 hour dump it on a lightly floured surface and cut it in 2 equal pieces.
  • Sprinkle some flour on top of the dough and using a rolling pin roll the dough into a thin rectangle that you are comfortable rolling and working with.
    Spread half of the filling on top of the dough within 1/2 inch from the edges.
  • Beat the egg with the water to make the egg wash and brush the edges of the dough. Gently start rolling the dough into a log starting with the long side. Pinch the ends and tuck underneath the roll. 
  • Layer a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the nut roll on top.
  • Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling and place the second roll on the baking sheet about 5 inches away from each other.
  • Cover loosely with a tea towel and allow to rise for another 40 minutes.
  • Meanwhile preheat tour oven to 350 “F 
  • Brush the logs with the egg wash and bake in the preheated oven for 34 to 45 minutes until golden brown on top.
  • Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool off completely before slicing them.
    Garnish with powder sugar and serve. 

Notes

  • The Nuts - please Don't be stingy with the walnuts, go as nutty as you can, tis' the season after all! You can even mix up your favorite kind if you prefer. A recipe is nothing but a guide to inspire you.
  • Storage - traditionally keep at room temperature wrapped in a tea towel or in a bread box. You could also freeze individual slices and pop in the toaster oven for breakfast.
  • Vegan - it can be easily done by using vegan butter and sour cream, a flax egg and aquafaba egg wash.
  • A classic sprinkling of powdered sugar is all this dessert needs for a festive presentation. However, feel free to whip up a little decadent icing to drizzle over the top if you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 382IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 3mg