Walnut Meltaways Recipe
Walnut Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies with a tender crumb and a subtle nutty flavor. These melt-in-your-mouth treats are perfect for tea time or holiday gatherings, featuring finely chopped walnuts and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
- Author: Lisa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
Finishing
- Additional powdered sugar for dusting
- 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 ensure the cookies don’t stick during baking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt to combine and evenly distribute the salt.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes, which helps give the cookies a tender texture.
- Add the Vanilla and Walnuts: Stir in the vanilla extract and the finely chopped walnuts, making sure they are well incorporated into the butter mixture for consistent flavor and texture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie.
- Shape the Cookies: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the dough into small balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden, signaling they are perfectly baked.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to avoid sogginess.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once the cookies are fully cooled, generously dust them with powdered sugar to add sweetness and a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better cookie texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
- Use a fine chop for walnuts to distribute the nutty flavor evenly throughout each cookie.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For an extra festive touch, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of almond extract along with the vanilla.
Keywords: walnut cookies, meltaway cookies, holiday cookies, buttery cookies, easy cookie recipe