Persian walnut cookies (Nan-e gerdui)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
12 cookies,
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Calories
87 kcal
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Course
Snacks
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Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Persian walnut cookies (Nan-e gerdui)
Description
This cookie recipe uses coarsely ground walnuts combined with egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla extract or paste to create a glossy batter that maintains some air for lightness. The batter is portioned into small mounds on a baking sheet, spaced to allow for gentle spreading, and topped with walnut pieces for texture and appearance.
Baking at a low temperature around 300°F ensures a slow, even cook, producing cookies that are delicately golden and slightly soft immediately after baking. They firm up as they cool, providing a tender yet slightly crisp texture. The walnut flavor is central, complemented by the subtle sweetness and vanilla.
Optional additions like cardamom or rosewater can be incorporated in small amounts (around ¼ teaspoon) to add fragrance without overpowering the nutty base. The cookies are suitable as a snack or with tea.
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnut pieces
- 2 egg yolk
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla paste or extract if you don't have vanilla paste
- walnut pieces, a few, to top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300F/150C and line a large baking sheet.
- Pulse the walnuts in a food processor until they're coarsely ground.
- Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla for a few minutes until the mixture becomes paler and glossy.
- Fold in the ground walnuts and stir until well combined, but try not to over-stir so you still have a bit of air in the mixture.
- Take small spoonfuls (heaped teaspoonfuls) of the mixture and put on a baking sheet, with around 1in/2.5cm or more between them. Smooth off the pieces of dough so they are fairly round and gently press a piece of walnut into the top of each cookie.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes until lightly brown. Leave them to cool on the baking sheet a few minutes as they will be a little soft.
Notes
- You can add up to ¼ teaspoon of cardamom or rosewater to the batter to introduce a subtle fragrant note without overwhelming the walnut flavor.
- Bake the cookies at 300°F (150°C) until lightly browned and allow to cool on the baking sheet to set properly.
- Spacing cookies at least 1 inch apart ensures even baking and shaping.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12cookies,
Amount Per Serving
Calories 87 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 87kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 32mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 2mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 47mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 45IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 14mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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