Nuts with vanilla cream

Delicious Walnut Recipe with Vanilla Cream

Dear friends, welcome to the world of sweet delights! Today, I will guide you step by step in preparing a recipe that will quickly become your favorite: Walnuts with Vanilla Cream. These delicious cookies, with a crunchy texture and a soft, flavorful filling, are perfect to be enjoyed with loved ones, whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply want to indulge yourself.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 20 walnuts

Ingredients

For the walnuts:
- 250 g butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 300 g flour
- 100 g ground walnuts
- 1 tablespoon cocoa

For the filling:
- Vanilla cream (can be made from a Dr. Oetker vanilla or chocolate pudding mix, or a classic vanilla cream recipe)

Short history of the recipe

Walnuts with vanilla cream have become a symbol of festive sweets, often associated with moments of conviviality and joy. This simple yet elegant recipe has its origins in the cooking traditions of many cultures that embraced filled sweets. In festive times, these treats were made with love and shared with loved ones, and today, we continue this beautiful tradition.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Preparing the oven and molds
Start by preheating the oven to 170 degrees Celsius (setting 2-3). Then, grease each walnut mold with a little butter or margarine for baking. This step is essential to prevent the dough from sticking.

2. Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, add the soft butter and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer or a spatula to mix well until you achieve a fluffy cream. Then, incorporate the flour, ground walnuts, and cocoa, mixing until everything combines into a homogeneous dough ball. It is important not to knead too much to maintain a light texture.

3. Forming the walnuts
Take a small piece of dough, about the size of a marble, and fill the molds with the dough. Press gently, ensuring you have an even layer. It is essential not to overfill the molds, as the dough will rise slightly during baking.

4. Baking the walnuts
Place the molds in a large tray and put them in the preheated oven. Bake for about 10-15 minutes. Check the walnuts: they should be firm to the touch, but do not overbake to avoid drying them out. If in doubt, take them out earlier, as they will harden slightly as they cool.

5. Cooling and filling
Once baked, remove the molds from the oven and let them cool completely before carefully removing them from the molds. After they have cooled, fill each walnut with a teaspoon of vanilla cream, joining two walnut shells together.

6. Finishing and decorating
After joining all the walnuts, roll them in ground walnuts on the edges or, if desired, you can dust them with a little cocoa or powdered sugar for an elegant appearance.

Serving suggestions

These walnuts with vanilla cream are delicious served alongside a cup of tea or aromatic coffee. They can also be a wonderful gift for friends and family, beautifully packaged in an elegant box.

Possible variations

For those who want to experiment, you can replace the vanilla cream with chocolate cream or even a salted caramel filling, giving a unique twist to the recipe. Additionally, ground walnuts can be replaced with almonds or hazelnuts to diversify the flavors.

Practical tips

- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting to achieve a homogeneous dough.
- If you want a more intense vanilla flavor, add a few drops of vanilla extract to the dough.
- When serving, you can add chocolate chips or dried fruits to the cream filling for an extra flavor boost.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use reduced-fat butter?
It's not recommended, as reduced-fat butter will not provide the same texture and flavor as regular butter.

2. Can I prepare the walnuts a day before serving?
Yes, it is actually recommended! The walnuts will blend better with the cream, giving them a softer and more pleasant texture.

3. How can I store the walnuts?
Store the walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay fresh for a few days.

Nutritional benefits

These walnuts with vanilla cream contain healthy fats from walnuts, which are excellent for heart health, as well as carbohydrates from flour, providing energy. Of course, like any dessert, it's best to enjoy them in moderation!

I wish you happy cooking and enjoy your meal! These walnuts with vanilla cream will surely bring a touch of joy to any moment spent with loved ones. May each bite be an explosion of flavors and an unforgettable pleasant memory!