Nut Roll Recipe

Total Time Prep: 40 min. + rising Bake: 30 min. + cooling
Yield 4 loaves (12 pieces each)
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
You don't need Hungarian ancestors to appreciate this nut roll recipe. It's elegant and not too sweet, perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea.

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 6 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • FILLING:
  • 1-1/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4-1/2 cups ground walnuts
  • 1 large apple, peeled and grated
  • ICING:
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the sugar, salt, butter, sour cream, eggs and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed until smooth, 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
  2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, egg and cinnamon. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat; gently stir in walnuts and apple. Cool completely.
  4. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 4 portions. Roll each into a 12x10-in. rectangle. Spread filling to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  5. Bake at 350° until lightly browned, 30-40 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Combine icing ingredients; drizzle over loaves.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 222 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 87mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

It isn't officially the holidays until I've made this treasured nut roll recipe from my husband's grandmother. The apple-walnut filling is moist, subtly sweet and flavorful. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC