While aesthetics may not be the sole deciding factor in choosing a holiday cookie recipe, it’s undeniable that visually appealing treats can elevate the overall experience. Fortunately, making beautiful cookies doesn’t have to be daunting, even for novice bakers. These chocolate roll cookies are a prime example of how easy it is to create stunning yet delicious confections. As Italian chocolate-filled cookies often top the list of holiday favorites, consider adding these show-stoppers to your Christmas baking repertoire this season.
Chocolate and Nuts: The Perfect Combo
The magic of holiday baking lies in its ability to evoke warm, fuzzy feelings and create lasting memories. Combining rich chocolate with crunchy nuts yields a match made in heaven, perfect for special occasions. These Italian fudge roll cookies are a standout treat that can be enjoyed with any beverage or as a decadent dessert. The indulgent combination of chocolate and nuts is a classic pairing that never goes out of style. If you’re looking to add some sweet treats to your holiday repertoire, this recipe is definitely worth considering.
As the dough for these cookies requires an overnight chill in the refrigerator, it’s essential to plan ahead. The cream cheese-based dough needs time to firm up and hold its shape when rolled out, so don’t even think about skipping this crucial step. Eight hours or more of chilling time is necessary to achieve the perfect texture.
The use of cream cheese in this recipe is a game-changer, as it lends a light, flaky crust to the cookies that’s simply divine. The combination of cream cheese, margarine (or butter), and flour creates a surprisingly soft dough that requires a good night’s rest before rolling out.
To ensure the dough stays fresh and moist, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, perhaps using two layers for added protection. Once chilled to perfection, you can roll out the dough and prepare the filling. Spread the filling evenly over the rolled-out dough, then roll it up into a log shape. Place the logs on a parchment-lined baking sheet or cookie sheet, ready to be transformed into golden-brown treats.
How to Shape and Cut Chocolate Roll Cookies
When crafting our Italian rolled cookies, we take care to press the finished logs down gently before slicing them into long, thin strips. This approach allows for a more elegant presentation, as opposed to forming round cookies like a Swiss roll. To achieve the best results, it’s essential that you allow the chocolate swirls to cool to room temperature before slicing into fudge-filled dessert strips. This step ensures clean cuts and preserves the cookies’ visually appealing appearance. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be delighted to discover how quickly these Italian chocolate fudge roll cookies disappear – making them an excellent choice for any gathering.
Recipe Variations
While these Italian fudge cookies offer a rich, indulgent treat, they also lend themselves well to customization. Feel free to mix things up by substituting the chocolate chips with bittersweet or semi-sweet varieties, or even throwing in some white chocolate for a sweet surprise. The walnuts can be swapped out for mixed nuts or another type altogether – pistachios or cashews would work beautifully.The vanilla extract adds a nice depth of flavor to these cookies, but almond extract would also be a great choice if you want to mix things up. And let’s not forget the cinnamon, which adds a festive touch – though you could just as easily substitute in some nutmeg or allspice for a different twist.One of the best things about homemade rolled cookies is that they look far more impressive than they actually are to make. And once you try these chocolate walnut pinwheel cookies, you’ll see what I mean – they’re surprisingly simple to prepare, and yet they’re sure to impress your friends and family whenever you serve them up.Whether you’re serving them at a holiday party or just as an after-dinner treat, these Italian chocolate roll cookies are sure to be a hit. And the best part is, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy them any time of year – they’re perfect for a special occasion, or just because.
Italian Chocolate Roll Cookies Recipe
Italian Chocolate Roll Cookies
These delectable Italian chocolate filled Christmas cookies are a must-have on your holiday baking list. Not only do they look impressive, but they’re also surprisingly easy to make, even for novice bakers. With just 30 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cook time, you’ll be enjoying these sweet treats in no time. To ensure the best results, it’s recommended that you refrigerate the dough for 12 hours before baking. This will allow the flavors to meld together perfectly and result in a delightful texture. Once baked, you can expect to yield around 24 cookies, making them perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying on your own.
Instructions
Combine the dough ingredients in a stand mixer and knead until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and roll out each portion on a surface lightly dusted with powdered sugar, shaping it into a rectangle or circle about 1/8 inch thick. For the filling, combine the ingredients in a saucepan over low heat until the chocolate is fully melted. Spread the chocolate mixture evenly down the center of each dough piece, then fold the dough over the filling to form a log shape. Seal the edges by pressing gently with your fingers or the heel of your hand. Place each log seam-side down on a prepared baking sheet, using two spatulas if necessary. Bake for 20-40 minutes, depending on desired texture. If you prefer a softer cookie, bake at the lower end of this range (I’m a fan of this approach), while those who like crisper cookies will want to aim for the higher end. Allow the log-shaped cookies to cool for 30 minutes before transferring them to a cutting board and slicing into individual cookies. Note that the number of cookies you’ll yield will depend on how thickly you choose to cut them.