Description
These traditional Eastern European walnut-shaped cookies, known as Oreshki, feature crisp and buttery shells filled with rich, creamy dulce de leche and optionally a toasted walnut half for extra crunch. The dough is cooked on the stovetop using a special mold, resulting in festive nut-shaped treats perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour (240 g)
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Filling and Garnish
- 1 cup dulce de leche
- ½ cup walnut halves (toasted, optional)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and flavorings: Beat in the large egg, sea salt, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add the all purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Stir with a large spoon or use your hands to form a stiff dough.
- Shape the dough balls: Using a teaspoon, scoop portions of dough and roll them into balls sized to fit your walnut-shaped mold, adjusting as needed based on mold specifications.
- Preheat the mold: Heat the mold on low heat until it is piping hot before cooking the dough pieces.
- Cook the cookie shells: Place one dough ball into each cavity of the mold, close it tightly, and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown. Remove carefully and repeat until all dough is used.
- Cool and trim: Place cookie halves on a cooling rack to cool. Trim any uneven edges with a sharp serrated knife for a neat shape.
- Fill the cookies: Pipe dulce de leche into one half of each cookie. Optionally, place a toasted walnut half into the center of the dulce de leche filling for crunch.
- Assemble and serve: Close two halves together to form full walnut-shaped cookies. Dust the finished cookies with powdered sugar and enjoy immediately or store for later.
Notes
- These cookies are traditionally cooked on the stovetop using a special walnut-shaped mold, which can be purchased online.
- For best results, ensure the mold is properly heated on low heat to achieve a golden brown crust.
- To make filling easier, use a piping bag to place dulce de leche into the cookie halves.
- Toasted walnut halves not only add a crunchy texture but also enhance the nutty flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent the shells from becoming soft.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 44 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
