Hungarian Walnut Cookies

Name: Hungarian Walnut Cookies
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; FILLING:; 3 large egg whites; 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/3 cup sugar; 3-1/2 cups ground walnuts; Confectioners' sugar

As a child, I always looked forward to eating these goodies at Christmastime. Now I make them for my own family. —Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
3 large egg whites
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
3-1/2 cups ground walnuts
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until blended. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture. Divide dough into three portions. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.
Preheat oven to 375°. For filling, in a small bowl, beat egg whites and vanilla on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on medium after each addition until well blended. Stir in walnuts.
Generously coat a work surface with confectioners' sugar. Roll one portion of dough into a 12-in. square about 1/8 in. thick, sprinkling with additional confectioners' sugar as necessary to coat well. Cut into sixteen 3-in. squares.
Shape 2 teaspoons filling into a small log about 2 in. long. Place diagonally onto a square. Overlap opposite corners of dough over filling; pinch tightly to seal. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
Bake until bottoms are golden brown, 9-11 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.
To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap in plastic and place in a resealable bag. Store in the refrigerator.
Freeze option: Freeze cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw before serving. If desired, dust with additional confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 129 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

Originally published as Kiffles in Taste of Home Christmas Annual 2016

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Judith

Dec 22, 2018

I was looking to replicate my late mother-in-law’s Hungarian nut cookie. After trying several recipes without success, I found this recipe! It tastes just like hers! I made no adjustments. 3-1/2 cups of chopped nuts was about a 16oz can of walnut pieces and i had exactly enough. I used a ruler to make the 3” squares and that made a uniform appearance for each cookie. Thank you for posting this recipe. My husband is very very happy now that I can make his fav cookie.