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This easy Nut Roll recipe is my husband’s grandma’s which she makes on every special occasion! It’s made without yeast and filled with ground hazelnuts. A perfect Holiday breakfast or dessert!
Other than many nut roll recipes this one is made with short pastry instead of yeast dough which makes it really easy and quick to throw together. Perfect for busy days!
Every birthday or holiday isn’t complete in our family without Grandma’s nut roll! Often she has to make two because everyone loves it so much. I’m very honored that I’m allowed to share her recipe with you. I didn’t change a thing because we all know: Grandma knows best!
OK, I have to admit I changed one thing.
I made a braided Nut Roll instead of a simple roll because I thought it might look prettier. So you can decide for yourself if you want to do that extra step! Either way, it’ll taste delicious!
This easy nut roll recipe is super simple to make!
The first step is to make a short pastry. You might know that I love to work with yeast doughs but it takes time and sometimes when you’re under pressure because of the Holidays something with yeast might not be the right thing to bake. This short pastry nut roll is perfect for these days!
You only need about 20 minutes to make the short pastry and the filling. You could even make the roll one day in advance and it will taste delicious. I love to have a slice with a cup of hot chocolate – perfect for dipping!
But back to the short pastry! When the short pastry is done, let it rest in the fridge or freezer until you made the filling and the oven is preheated. The dough is a bit harder to handle when it’s warm. So wrap it in cling film and start making the filling!
To make the hazelnut filling, just throw everything together, give it a good stir and then roll out the dough and spread the filling all over it. Super easy!
Now you have to decide, do you want to go the easy way (which I recommend) or make the extra effort and make a braided nut roll! I explain how to make the braided version in the recipe below but if you just want to make a simple roll leave out those extra steps and just make a few cuts into the roll before putting it into the oven.
Easy Nut Roll Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg, large (See note)
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 stick butter
For the Filling:
- 1 egg white
- 2 cups ground hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4-5 drops almond extract
- 4-5 tbsp water
To brush before baking:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment combine flour, baking powder, sugar, vanilla extract, egg, milk, and butter (cut the butter into cubes) at medium-high speed for about 2 minutes until a slightly soft but not sticky dough forms. Don't mix too long or the butter will get too warm and it will be hard to work with the dough.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for about 10 minutes while making the filling.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat.
- To make the filling: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment combine the egg white, ground hazelnuts, sugar, almond extract, and water. Beat at medium speed until combined.
- Take the short pastry out of the fridge and roll the dough into a 10x20-inch (25x50cm) rectangle on a lightly floured surface. The dough should be about 0.2 inches (1/2 cm) thick.
- Spread the hazelnut filling onto the dough and distribute it evenly.
- Starting along a long side, tightly roll up the dough.
- To make a braided roll: With a sharp knife, cut the roll in half lengthwise. Carefully turn the halves so the cut sides are facing up, and then loosely twist the halves around each other, keeping cut sides up.
- Carefully transfer the twisted rope to the baking sheet and shape into a wreath. Pinch the ends together to seal.
- Brush the roll with beaten egg yolk milk (and make a few cuts into the roll when you didn't braid it).
- Bake it until lightly golden brown, about 40-45 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was the closest I could find to my Aunt Ann’s sweet nut roll. I didn’t braid it. I used walnuts. The dough isn’t as easy to work with as a yeast dough but I like this better. Since I used unsalted butter, I will add a pinch of salt to the dough and maybe some cinnamon to the filling next time. Delish.
I made this recipe and made one long roll but used pecans instead of hazelnuts and added cinnamon to the filling, very tasty. I kept thinking it wasn’t baked long enough and I over baked it, next time I will bake it 45-50mins instead of 65.
This looks very good, but pictures of the process would be helpful, especially working with the dough and braiding. Not sure what you mean to cut the filled dough “lengthwise” and keep the cut side up. Please explain or add pictures. thanks. D.
Thank you, Julia, for posting this recipe. My mother used to make this cake when I was a child (55 yrs. ago!). It’s just like I remember, although I used almonds, like my Mom did.