Polish Walnut Cookies (Ciasteczka Orzeszki) Recipe

Name: Authentic Polish Walnut Cookies (Ciasteczka Orzeszki)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: Dough:; 4 ounces (1 stick) butter (unsalted, softened); 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup sugar; 1/4 cup confectioners sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg (room temperature); 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; Filling #1:; 1 teaspoon cocoa; 1 teaspoon rum (dark); 1 cup jam (apricot); 1 tablespoon milk; 3/4 cup walnuts (ground, not chopped); OR; Filling #2:; 4 ounces/1 stick butter (softened); 3/4 cup confectioners sugar; 7 ounces walnuts (ground, not chopped); 1 shot vodka; Milk as needed to make a moist filling

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 60 mins

Chilling Time: 30 mins

Total: 105 mins

Servings: 12 servings

Yield: 24 cookies

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These traditional Polish walnut-shaped cookies, or ciasteczka orzeszki (chahss-TETCH-kah aw-ZHESH-kee), are made in molds and then sandwiched together with creamy fillings. There are individual walnut-shaped molds for the oven and there are some that resemble a waffle iron and are baked on top of the stove, and yet other styles exist.

What remains the same is a delectable filling either made of cream or chocolate or a combination of the two and usually mixed with finely ground walnuts. The cookies are a bit time-consuming but worth it. Store the walnut "shells" and fill at the last minute for best flavor.

This recipe can be doubled if desired.

Dough:

4 ounces (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, room temperature
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling #1:

1 teaspoon cocoa
1 teaspoon dark rum
1 cup apricot jam
3/4 cup walnuts, ground, not chopped
1 tablespoon milk

Filling #2:

4 ounces (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 shot vodka
7 ounces walnuts, ground, not chopped
Milk, as needed, to make a moist filling

To Make the Dough:

Gather the ingredients.
In a large bowl, beat together unsalted butter, salt, sugar, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and large egg. Add all-purpose flour and mix until well combined. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 F. Do not grease walnut molds. Press 1/2 teaspoon dough into the bottom and up the sides of the molds. (Dip the finger you use to press the dough into the mold in flour to prevent sticking.)
Place filled molds on a baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are brown around the edges of the molds. Cool a few seconds and then tap them out of the molds. Repeat until all the dough is gone.
It's a good idea to store the "shells" in an airtight container until ready to serve and then fill at the last minute, otherwise, they could become soggy.

To Make the Fillings:

Gather the ingredients depending on which filling you decide to make.
For both fillings, in separate bowls, mix all the ingredients together, or use preserves or prepared almond paste or nut fillings. Spread 1 teaspoon filling on half of the walnut-shaped cookies and top with a second cookie. Dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired.
Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
474	Calories
31g	Fat
45g	Carbs
6g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories	474
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g	40%
Saturated Fat 11g	56%
Cholesterol 57mg	19%
Sodium 44mg	2%
Total Carbohydrate 45g	17%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 27g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 3mg	13%
Calcium 45mg	3%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 156mg	3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.