Family Favorite Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies

Already it's Day 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas blog hop, only one more to go. That flew by way too fast and it's been such fun. Today I'm sharing a family favorite walnut strudel Christmas cookie recipe and if I don't make these for the holidays, do I ever hear about it. They are always the first to go on the cookie tray!

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies

Welcome to Day 11 of the Fourth Annual 12 Days of Christmas Series!

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It's Day 11 and we have been in the kitchen making something sweet to share!

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In case you missed them, here is a recap:
DIY Gift Ideas - DIY Basket For That Special Holiday Hostess Gift
DIY Christmas Countdown - Christmas Countdown Santa Cottage
DIY Kid's Crafts - Easy Snowflake Craft To Make With Your Grandkids
Holiday Party Food - Spicy Christmas Ornament Cheese Ball
DIY Ornament Ideas - 3 Unique Festive Recycled Sweater Ornaments
Holiday Decor Ideas - Milk & Cookie Tray For Santa from folding breakfast table
Christmas In A Jar - Retro North Pole Christmas Diorama
Pretty Gift Wrapping Ideas - Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Wrap With Plaid DIY Name Tags
Christmas Trees - Red Burlap Ribbon Mini Christmas Trees That Sparkle

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There's a funny story about these cookies. Many years ago my family affectionately renamed them but none of us can remember why and what in the heck it means. But when someone in our family says, Marie made her Neu-kin-knock-in's, everyone knows what they're talking about. I'm laughing while I type this!

And now that it's out that I baked some, they'll come a knocking.

You'll find the recipe towards the bottom of this post.

How To Make Walnut Strudel Cookies

Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need to make the walnut strudel cookies.

Cookie dough

The dough is so quick and easy to make. Simply cream together the butter and cream cheese. You can use margarine but I find it tastes that much better with butter. Add two cups of flour and mix until the dough crumbles and starts to stick together. I prefer to knead the dough by hand at this point and then form it into a ball.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Walnut Mixture

While the dough is chilling is a good time to start the walnut mixture. With a food chopper, chop whole walnuts fine or purchase ground walnuts.

In a small saucepan on medium heat add granulated sugar and milk, stirring occasionally until dissolved and starts to bubble. Add the ground walnuts and remove from heat. Set aside to cool and thicken. I put mine in the fridge with the dough.

Rolling the strudel

Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12 x 18-inch rectangle. Cut the dough in half lengthwise.

Spread the walnut mixture on both sides.

Starting with the long side roll up the dough as tight as you can jelly roll style and trim the ends.

Yikes, seeing this photo makes me realize maybe it's time to get new air bake cookie sheets.

Cut rolls crosswise in half so you'll end up with 4 rolls. Place them seam side down on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Cut into 1/2-inch thick slices without separating.

Bake in 350º oven for 15 - 20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly and remove to cool on racks.

Once completely cooled dust with powdered sugar. Separate the cookies and store in a container. These cookies freeze well.

TIP: The dough is too heavy for the electric mixer to double the recipe. They are best made in separate batches. 

You will want to make a few batches because these cookies will not last!

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies
Author: The Interior Frugalista
Recipe Category: Dessert
Preparation Time: 2 Hours 15 Minutes
Cooking time: 15 - 20 Minutes
Servings: 60 cookies (approximately)
Nutrition:
Calories per serving: 80
Protein per serving: 1.7 g
Fat per serving: 5.1 g
Carbohydrates per serving: 7.6 g

If I don't make these cookies during the holidays I hear about it. They are always the first to go on the cookie tray!

Ingredients:

• 1 - 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 pound or 1 cup of ground walnuts
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and margarine with an electric mixer until well combined.
2. Add flour and mix well.
3. Shape into a ball and cover with plastic wrap.
4. Chill in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours.
5. Cook sugar and milk in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
6. Cook until the milk boils and sugar dissolves.
7. Add nuts.
8. Remove from heat and cool until spreadable.
9. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to form an 18 x 12-inch rectangle.
10. Cut in half lengthwise.
11. Spread each with nut filling.
12. Starting from a long side roll up each strip jelly roll style.
13. Cut rolls crosswise in half.
14. Place seam side down on ungreased cookie sheets.
15. Cut into 1/2-inch thick slices without separating.
16. Bake in 350º oven 15 to 20 minutes or until done.
17. Let cool slightly.
18. Remove and cool on racks.
19. Dust with powdered sugar.
20. Separate slices into cookies.
21. Cover, refrigerate or freeze.

Scroll down for even more Sweet Treats to make this holiday season!

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