Walnut Meltaways Recipe

Introduction

Walnut Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies with a tender crumb and a delightful nutty crunch. These melt-in-your-mouth treats are perfect for any occasion, easy to make, and sure to impress your friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt to distribute the salt evenly.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Mix in the vanilla extract and finely chopped walnuts until well combined.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
6. Step 6: Shape the dough into small balls using your hands or a cookie scoop, placing them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Step 7: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden.
8. Step 8: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Step 9: Once cooled, dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.

Tips & Variations

• If the dough feels too soft, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to make shaping easier.
• Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
• Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or using almond extract instead of vanilla for a unique twist.

Storage

Store Walnut Meltaways in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them fresh. For best texture, avoid refrigeration. They can be gently reheated in a low oven if desired, but they are delicious served at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.

How can I make the cookies gluten-free?

Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, and ensure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for best results.

Walnut Meltaways Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 86 reviews

Walnut Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies studded with finely chopped walnuts and dusted with powdered sugar. These melt-in-your-mouth treats feature a light, crumbly texture that perfectly balances sweetness and nuttiness, making them an ideal accompaniment to tea or coffee.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to ensure the salt is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add the Vanilla and Walnuts: Mix in the vanilla extract and the finely chopped walnuts, making sure they are well incorporated into the butter mixture.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie texture.
6. Shape the Cookies: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the dough into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
7. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
8. Cool the Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on it for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once fully cooled, dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar for a sweet, elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Storage Suggestions: Store walnut meltaways in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them fresh.
• Customization Options: Substitute walnuts with other nuts like pecans or almonds if preferred. Experiment with different extracts such as almond or maple for varied flavors.
• Chilling the Dough: If the dough is soft and difficult to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before shaping to make handling easier.

Keywords: Walnut Meltaways, buttery cookies, nut cookies, powdered sugar cookies, easy dessert, tea time cookie, walnut recipes