🍪 A Buttery, Nutty Cookie That Melts in Your Mouth
These Simple Walnut Cookies with Dulce de Leche are melt-in-your-mouth sandwich cookies featuring tender walnut shortbread and a thick, creamy dulce de leche center. Inspired by classic South American alfajores, this recipe adds a nutty twist that makes them perfect for gifting, holiday trays, or elevating your afternoon coffee.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a weekend cookie enthusiast, this foolproof recipe delivers bakery-style results—with a flavor that lingers long after the last crumb.
⭐ Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- Delicate crumb: Thanks to ground walnuts and powdered sugar.
- Rich, creamy filling: Dulce de leche adds caramel-like indulgence.
- Make-ahead friendly: Dough can be prepped days in advance.
- Giftable & crowd-pleasing: Perfect for cookie tins or events.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Walnut Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226g), softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar (90g), sifted
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour (270g), spooned and leveled
- ½ cup finely ground walnuts (60g)
- ½ cup finely chopped walnuts (60g), toasted (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
For the Filling:
- 1 cup thick dulce de leche (about 300g), homemade or store-bought
Optional Garnish:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
🔥 Pro Tip: Choosing the Right Dulce de Leche
Look for a thick, spreadable variety (often labeled Repostero) to avoid runny filling. You can also chill your dulce de leche for 30 minutes before using for firmer texture.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Toast and Prep the Walnuts (Optional but Recommended)
- Toast the chopped walnuts at 350°F (175°C) for 5–8 minutes until fragrant. Cool completely.
- Pulse additional walnuts in a food processor to create walnut flour. Don’t over-process.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
- Beat butter until smooth.
- Add sifted powdered sugar and salt. Mix on medium-high until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
- Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
- Whisk flour with finely ground walnuts in a separate bowl.
Step 5: Form Dough
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed.
- Stir in chopped walnuts by hand.
- Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap, and chill for 1–2 hours.
Step 6: Roll and Cut
- Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Use a 1.5–2-inch round cutter to form cookies.
- Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill 10 minutes if soft.
Step 7: Bake
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–13 minutes.
- Edges should be lightly golden; centers should stay pale.
- Cool on sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool fully.
Step 8: Fill and Assemble
- Match cookies by size.
- Spread 1 generous teaspoon of dulce de leche on the flat side of one cookie.
- Gently press a second cookie on top.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
🕒 Make-Ahead & Storage
| Item | Room Temp | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unbaked Dough | — | Up to 3 days | Up to 2 months |
| Baked Cookies (Unfilled) | 4–5 days | Optional | Up to 1 month |
| Assembled Sandwiches | 3–4 days (best) | Yes (airtight) | Not recommended |
🍊 Flavor Variations & Customizations
Take these cookies to the next level with these optional additions:
- Chocolate Dipped: Dip half the sandwich in dark chocolate.
- Coconut Edge: Roll the sides in shredded coconut like traditional alfajores.
- Citrus Zest: Add orange or lemon zest to the dough for brightness.
- Spiced Dough: Add ¼ tsp cinnamon or cardamom for warmth.
- Espresso Kick: Add ½ tsp espresso powder to the dough for depth.
💡 Troubleshooting Tips
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Cookies spread too much | Ensure dough is thoroughly chilled before baking. |
| Dough cracks while rolling | Let it sit at room temp for 5–10 mins before rolling. |
| Filling too runny | Chill dulce de leche before using. Avoid “sauce”-style versions. |
| Cookies dry or tough | Avoid overmixing the dough; measure flour using spoon-and-level method. |
| Cookies break when sandwiching | Wait until cookies are fully cooled before filling. |
🎁 How to Serve or Gift
- With Coffee or Tea: A perfect elegant companion to espresso or earl grey.
- Holiday Cookie Platters: A sophisticated addition to festive dessert boards.
- Wrapped in Tins or Boxes: Ideal for birthdays, holidays, or hostess gifts.
- Ice Cream Pairing: Crumble over vanilla or salted caramel ice cream.
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Sandwich Cookie)
- Calories: ~200
- Fat: ~12g
- Carbohydrates: ~18g
- Sugar: ~10g
- Protein: ~2g
Estimates only. Will vary based on filling and cookie size.
📝 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different nut besides walnuts?
Yes! Pecans or almonds work beautifully. Just grind and chop them similarly.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that contains xanthan gum.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
Is homemade dulce de leche better?
If you have time, yes. Homemade versions allow better control of thickness and flavor. But a thick, high-quality store-bought option works great.
📌 Pinterest Pin Ideas
Titles for Clickable Pins:
- “Soft Walnut Cookies with Dulce de Leche – Holiday Favorite!”
- “Easy Alfajores-Inspired Cookies for Gifting”
- “Delicate Walnut Sandwich Cookies with Caramel Filling”
- “These Caramel Walnut Cookies Melt in Your Mouth!”
Meta Description (SEO & Pinterest):
These easy walnut cookies with dulce de leche are buttery, crumbly, and filled with rich caramel flavor. Perfect for gifts or holiday cookie trays. (See full recipe on our blog)
#walnutcookies #dulcedeleche #holidaybaking #sandwichcookies
💬 Final Words from Elizabeth
I hope these cookies bring as much joy to your kitchen as they have to mine. They’re elegant enough to impress, easy enough for a cozy Sunday bake, and the kind of treat that disappears faster than you can say “dulce de leche.”