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!

Family Favorite Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies



Welcome to Day 11 of the Fourth Annual 12 Days of Christmas Series!
DIY Christmas Ideas and Recipes you can use this year! DIY Christmas Decor and Games Ideas #12daysofChristmas
We have teamed up with 50 plus bloggers to bring you a oodles of DIY Ideas and Recipes to make your holiday season merrier. There are 12 different posts in the series and we have spread them out over a four week period with three posts per week. Now is the time to subscribe!

GO HERE for the complete list of Dates and Topics plus a collection of most popular holiday ideas including ornaments, games, recipes and more from all 50 plus talented bloggers!

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


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.

Easy To Make Walnut Strudel Cookies

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

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies

How To Make Walnut Strudel Cookies


Ingredients

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

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookie Ingredients

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 Strudel Christmas Cookie Dough

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.

Walnut Strudel Cookies 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.

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies Spread

Rolling the strudel

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

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies Rolled Dough

Spread the walnut mixture on both sides.

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies Walnut Spread

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.

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies Rolled

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

Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies Sliced

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. 


Walnut Strudel Cookies A Holiday Favorite

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

Favorite Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.


Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookie Recipe
Walnut Strudel Christmas Cookies
Author:
Recipe Category: Dessert
Preparation Time:
Cooking time:
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!




Are you ready for the holidays? I'm embarrassed to say that I am far from finished my Christmas shopping and only one cookie recipe has been baked so far (which will be posted on the blog tomorrow). Feeling just a tad stressed about to have an anxiety attack. Hope you're far more organized than I am this year.

Talk Of The Town Party 153 Features
Welcome back to Talk of the Town!
Talk of the Town link party
First, let's take a look at what you may have missed from your party hosts!

Last Week at Knick of Time

Last Week at My Repurposed Life

Last Week at The Interior Frugalista
Here's what we're talking about from last week's party!

Farmhouse Gather Sign for the Holidays
Farmhouse Gather Sign for the Holidays - Adirondack Girl at Heart Slow Cooker Phillies by Eat Move Make
Slow Cooker Phillies - Eat Move Make
DIY Wood Christmas Tree Shadow Box Sign by Adventures of a DIY Mom
DIY Wood Christmas Tree Shadowbox Sign - Adventures of a DIY Mom Crock Pot Hot Cocoa recipe by Flour On My Face
Crock Pot Hot Cocoa recipe - Flour On My Face

Cranberry Smoothie Bowl Recipe - Simply Blended Smoothies
Now, it's your turn!
PLEASE NOTE – There are now *2* separate link ups; the first is for DIY/Vintage/Repurposed links and the second for Recipe Links. Thank you!
By linking up at Talk of the Town, you agree that your photos may be used to promote the party, or in other round-ups.
***Please keep in mind that linking up with stock photography or using photos without express permission by the photo owner is not allowed. Links of stock photography or photos that are not owned by you will be removed without notification.***
TotT Something to talk about
DIY|Vintage|Repurposed Links ONLY
Recipe Links ONLY
Today's theme for the 12 Days of Christmas is Christmas Trees and to be honest, my living room tree has no color scheme, no decor theme, and is an eclectic mix of mismatched ornaments. So instead of photos of that tree, I'm sharing two DIY Red Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Christmas Trees and a tutorial on how easy they are to make.

Red Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Christmas Trees That Sparkle

Red Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Christmas Trees


Welcome to Day 10 of the Fourth Annual 12 Days of Christmas Series!
DIY Christmas Ideas and Recipes you can use this year! DIY Christmas Decor and Games Ideas #12daysofChristmas
We have teamed up with 50 plus bloggers to bring you a oodles of DIY Ideas and Recipes to make your holiday season merrier. There are 12 different posts in the series and we have spread them out over a four week period with three posts per week. Now is the time to subscribe!

GO HERE for the complete list of Dates and Topics plus a collection of most popular holiday ideas including ornaments, games, recipes and more from all 50 plus talented bloggers!

 It's Day 10 and we are sharing our Christmas Tree!



The one on the left is a little more rustic with a brush of gold and the one on the right is glitter and sparkle. I'm displaying them in separate parts of the house, hence them having different toppers and only one being lighted.

At 3-feet tall, they would make a beautiful statement piece paired together on a fireplace mantel, dining room sideboard, or an entry flanking a door. For symmetry add lights to both and have matching tree toppers.

Easy DIY Red Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Christmas Trees

A shout out to Burlap Fabric for supplying the ribbon to make the Christmas Trees. The project inspiration, use of the burlap ribbon, and all opinions in this post are 100% my own.

Red Burlap Ribbon Trees For The Holidays

This is a great craft to do while watching Hallmark Christmas movies. Once you get a rhythm going, they are quite easy to make.

How To Make Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Trees


Red Burlap Ribbon Christmas Tree Supplies

What you will need to make the burlap ribbon trees

I've included affiliate links for your convenience so you can see what products I used or recommend to make these burlap Christmas trees. See my full disclosure policy.

Materials list based per tree.

Step 1 - Replace paper towel holder dowel

Red Burlap Ribbon Christmas Tree Wood Dowel

The dowel on the wood paper towel holder is much too short for the tree. You will need to replace it with a taller dowel cut 3-feet long. Use the original screw that came with the paper towel holder to attach the new dowel.

Drill a small hole on the top of the dowel in the center for inserting a tree topper. More about that in another step.

Note: If you plan on inserting the tree inside a small galvanized pail like I did, you may need to trim the diameter of the paper towel base to fit using a jigsaw.

Step 2 - Cut the burlap ribbon (based per tree)

Cut 12 strips of ribbon in lengths of 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22-inches (as pictured below).

DIY Tabletop Christmas Tree Red Burlap Ribbon Strips

Step 3 - Tie the burlap ribbon

DIY Tabletop Christmas Tree Tied Burlap Ribbon

Starting at the bottom with the 22-inch strips of burlap (above the top of the galvanized bucket) simply tie the ribbon onto the wooden dowel and scrunch the ties so they are side by side. Before tieing the next ribbon see the next step below. Trust me, you'll regret it if you don't.

Step 4 - Fray the burlap ribbon

DIY Tabletop Christmas Tree Frayed Burlap Ribbon

Burlap ribbon is prone to fraying so instead of fighting it, embrace the fraying by fraying the ends even more. It will also add some texture to the tree.

Be forewarned - this is the messiest and most time-consuming part of making the tree. A drop cloth of some kind and a Hallmark Christmas movie will be your best friend!

Fray Tip 1:

It is much easier to fray the ends of each ribbon first before moving onto tieing the next ribbon. Ask me how I know. 

Fray Tip 2:

With small sewing scissors simply cut a few rows of the horizontal weave where it is attached on both sides of the wire wrapped strands and pull down to remove them. I wasn't consistent in the amount of fraying on each ribbon.

Back to tieing the ribbon...

Tie the next 22-inch strip above the previous one with the knot facing directly beside the previous knot. Tie, fray, repeat until you've used all the 22-inch ribbon.

Move onto the 20-inch ribbon the same way, then the 18-inch, and so on until you've run out of ribbon.

Red Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Christmas Tree Assembled

Step 5 - Make the trees sparkle

To add some sparkle to the tree I painted the tips with gold glitter paint.

Gold Glittered Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Christmas Tree

I felt like a hairdresser doing foil highlights during this step. If you've ever had highlights you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. 

Red Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Christmas Tree Gold Painted Tips

Starting at the bottom place a piece of paper or foil under the ribbon and with a small paint brush paint the gold glitter onto the tips of the branch. Move onto the next branch and so on. You will have to replace the paper or foil a few times throughout this process.

Step 6 - Add a pretty tree topper

Trim your Christmas picks to the right height for your tree topper. Dab a little glue onto the stem and insert into the predrilled hole on the top of the dowel (pictured below).

Red Burlap Ribbon Christmas Tree Topper Drilled Hole

Step 7 - Fluff the tree branches

Fluff, curl, bend the wired burlap ribbon branches to your liking to get a full and nicely shaped tree.

Step 8 - Light the tree

This step is optional. String micro LED lights around the tree in a whimsical manner - no need to be fussy.

You'll notice I only strung lights on the tree with the gold glittered poinsettia topper. I used different Christmas picks for each tree as well. That's because I don't plan on displaying the trees together. If I was, I definitely would use the same picks and string lights on both trees.

Red Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Christmas Trees With Fairy Lights

If you have any questions about these burlap ribbon tabletop trees, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!


Red Burlap Ribbon Tabletop Christmas Tree DIY


I share my projects at these fabulous link parties.

Scroll down for many more Christmas Tree decor ideas you can use this holiday season!