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Oreshki are at the center of some of my favorite childhood memories. They are crumbly and buttery, with a rich creamy filling. Trust me, there is nothing better.
What Are Oreshki?
Oreshki are walnut-shaped Russian cookies that are filled with dulce de leche. They always come out during the holidays and are the perfect addition to any holiday cookie tray. We love to pair them with coffee or tea.
To make Oreshki, you will need to purchase a special mold. You can easily find many different molds online and it allows you to make these cookies with ease.
They go back all the way to days of the Soviet Union. Although absolutely delicious, they were born out of a need for people to make due with very little ingredients or resources. Now, the tables have turned and these cookies are served during special occasions and are often the star of the dessert tray.
How To Make Walnut Cookies
With the right mold, this cookies are an absolute cinch to make. Follow the below instructions for perfect oreshki:
- Mix together flour and sugar.
- Incorporate butter and margarine until smooth.
- Make a hole in the center of your flour mixture. Add eggs, mayo and baking powder into it.
- Using your handheld mixer, beat until the dough is combined, soft and a little sticky.
- Place small pieces of dough inside each metal form of an oreshki shell mold. When using a stovetop, cook until golden brown. Flip the pan over and cook the other side. Each side can take 1½ to 3 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool. Then, break off the excess dough that seeped out of the molds and cooked to the inside of the pan.
- Fill each mold with dulce de leche. Then, place another mold on top to make an acorn shape.
Filling Options for Oreshki
You can really get creative with a filling for oreshki. While the cookie is wonderful plain, here are a couple ways to mix things up:
- Dulce De Leche – This is the most common filling that goes back to the days of the 90s!
- Dulce De Leche with Cookie Crumbs – When you cut off those unperfect edges, you can crumble them and mix them into dulce de leche.
- Nut in the Center – Fill with dulce the leche, but add a nut in the center as a crunchy surprise. It’s so good!
- Nutella – This is a bit of an unexpected filling. We didn’t use it growing up, but I am sure we would have, have we had access to Nutella.
Storing Oreshki
Room temperature: You can make oreshki weeks in advance and store them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh and are the perfect treat to have on hand when you need a dessert in a pinch.
Refrigerate or Freeze: To make your oreshki last even longer, you can store them in the fridge or freezer. Refrigerated oreshki will keep up to a month and frozen oreshki can be stored for months in an airtight container.
More Cookies to Love
So many cookies, so little time. The following are some of our favorites year around:
- Meringue Sugar Cookies With Jam – These cookies truly have it all. They are tart, sweet and crunchy. What’s not to love?
- Sweet Cheese Cookies – You read right. These cheesy and sweet cookies are perfect for those who love the combination of sweet and salty.
- Dulce De Leche Sandwich Cookies – Little caramelly sandwich cookies make for the perfect lunchbox or afternoon snack.
- Nutella Cookies – This beloved chocolate hazelnut spread wins again.
- Madeleine Cookies – Why buy at Starbucks when you can whip up your own!
Recipe
Russian Walnut Cookies
Print Pin
Servings
50 cookies
Prep Time 50 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
Oreshki are at the center of some of my favorite childhood memories. They are crumbly and buttery, with a rich creamy filling. Trust me, there is nothing better.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup margarine room temperature
- 3 1/2 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 14 oz dulce de leche
US Units – Metric
Instructions
In a bowl, mix together the flour and sugar.
Add in butter and margarine. Use a handheld mixer to combine the ingredients until you have a smooth, even consistency.
Make a little hole in the middle of the flour mixture. Then, add the eggs, mayo and baking powder into it.
Use your handheld mixer to beat the ingredients together completely. Your dough should be soft and a little sticky.
Place small pieces of dough inside each metal form of an oreshki mold. When using a stove top, cook until golden brown. Flip the pan over and cook the other side. FYI: Each side can take 1½ to 3 minutes depending on the thickness of your mold. Make sure to check the instructions on the box!
Let the cookies cool. Then, break off the access dough that seeped out of the molds and cooked to the inside of the pan.
Fill each mold with dulce de leche. Then, place another mold on top to make an walnut shape.
Nutrition Facts
Russian Walnut Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 87 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 49mg2%
Potassium 33mg1%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 152IU3%
Calcium 12mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted December 17, 2020
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MonicaDec 13, 2023 Can I leave the margarine out and substitute it with more butter?
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 13, 2023 Hey Monica, I prefer margarine in these cookies, but in a pinch you can use butter. The texture might be slightly different though.
LianaDec 6, 2023 Hi there what margarine did you use ?
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 6, 2023 Hey Liana, Any kind of margarine can be used. Enjoy!
DanielleDec 6, 2023 I followed the recipe exactly, and 'sticky' doesn't begin to describe it. It was impossible to get into the molds without sticking all over my hands. I baked them anyway, and they blew up/expaned to solid blobs in the mold, with no indentation.
I added more flour, thinking I could stabilize them and reduce the stickiness. Now they come out crumbly and dry.
There are other recipes for this online, and I will try those. This recipe is a zero for me, and now I'm stuck with a huge bowl of cookie dough that I can't really do anything with.- See AlsoTraditional English Crumpets|Homemade Recipe| LovefoodiesSalted Caramel Banana Bread - Gluten Free, Eggless - Just As TastyVegan Yorkshire Puddings RecipeAustrian Buchteln ( Sweet Yeast Rolls)
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 6, 2023 Hey Danielle, I'm sorry to hear these cookies didn't turn out as hoped. The dough should be soft and a little sticky, not to the point of sticking all over your hands. You were right to add extra flour, and I would suggest just a little at a time to get the right consistency. Another suggestion is to try chilling the dough before molding it. Perhaps the butter and margarine were too soft. I hope these tips help!
KirstenMay 29, 2023 Shall tr6 this recipe but with outthe mayo. But I will use some good oil instead. And no margarine att all. Only butter. Maybd i will fill with walnut cream IF i get it. I think the shells can be glued together with eggwhite.
You can color the shell after baking with coffee, the will get darker then.
All the best coffee greatings from denmark
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 29, 2023 Hi Kristen, thanks for sharing your version. I think some of the measurements may need to be adjusted with your recommendations. Have a great day!
LisaApr 5, 2023 Hi. How did you make it colorful? Did you add color to the dough directly? Do need to double the amount to make more?
elizaDec 27, 2022 hi natalya i was wondering what type of margarine should i use for this recipe? also mayonnaise in oreshki? i don't remember my mom throwing mayonnaise in this recipe did we miss out? lol.
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 27, 2022 Hi Eliza, Any margarine will work here. I have always made this recipe with mayonnaise and it has turned out wonderfully. I hope you give it a try and let me know if you notice a difference! Good luck and Happy New Year!
Tavifa BiloshDec 24, 2022 Natasha where did you order a орешницу?
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 24, 2022 It was gifted to me, I don’t think that company is around but Amazon has some options. I would look at reviews for them.
InnaNov 16, 2022 Hey Natasha,
where can I buy a mold for orhshki?SarahJan 13, 2023 I found mine on ecrater.com:
https://www.ecrater.com/p/422…
It's a bit pricey, but I love that you can make 40 halves at a time and it's for in the oven, not on the stovetop.
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 17, 2022 Hi Inna, You can always buy it on amazon. I will send you a linkhttps://www.amazon.com/PetriStor-Oreshek-Oreshki-Rissian-Cookies/dp/B071RFRRB5/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=3SEXITCAUKS3S&keywords=oreshki+mold&qid=1668654675&sprefix=oreshki%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Hope this helps!
JanetAug 29, 2022 Having trouble keeping them to stick together after taking out of the fridge
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 29, 2022 Hey Janet, they would stick together with the filling. Maybe add a bit more of the filling or add a little more of dulce de leche to the filling this way its more sticky. Hope it helps. Please report back!
JanetSep 2, 2022 Worked when cold but came apart out of fridge. Going to try to heat up chocolate chips to use as a seal around the edge.
KpJul 29, 2022 You can use Crisco for the margarine. Not even sure where they sell margarine but then again, I never look for it. I use a nutella, chopped walnut mix for filling.
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 30, 2022 Wow, Nutella and chopped walnuts sounds SO good! Thanks for sharing.
JannOct 2, 2021 They look fabulous! Can the cookie shells be made in advance and then later thawed and filled? Or can the shells be filled and frozen, then when needed, thawed and left at room temperature? Many thanks.
Natalya DrozhzhinOct 3, 2021 Hey Jann, they can be filled and frozen. I personally think they get better the longer they stay creamed. Thaw in a fridge or room temperature, depending on how quickly you will eat.
JannOct 3, 2021 Many thanks!! This will be my first time giving a try at it for a friend 🙂
Natalya DrozhzhinOct 4, 2021 Enjoy 😊
ChongSep 24, 2021 I am getting my cookie mold today from Amazon and anxious to make cookies. If I don’t have Magarine, can I use butter instead? Your recipe sounds easy to follow, thanks.
Natalya DrozhzhinSep 25, 2021 Hello! This is the only way I have made them so I can't tell you for sure, but if you do try it with only butter let me know how it goes.
Anette OvetskyJul 22, 2021 Where can i get that mold that is in your picture?
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 24, 2021 Hey Anette, we had this one forever. Amazon may have some options.
E BenjiApr 10, 2021 Natalie, any substitutions for mayonnaise with something else?
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 11, 2021 Hey, I haven’t tried this recipe with other options. This version always worked for us so we stuck to it. Sorry we can’t be much help!
AnnaDec 26, 2020 These cookies are not only ADORABLE but absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 26, 2020 I'm so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you Anna!
wilhelminaDec 26, 2020 These cookies are so unique and delicious! I love the different filling options, they are all so tasty!
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 26, 2020 Thank you! They are the perfect cookie for any occasion.
GinnyDec 26, 2020 What decadent cookies! I am excited to make these and the instructions look really straight forward and easy to follow. The mold is on amazon too so thank you!
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 26, 2020 Please get back to me when you make them and let me know what you think 🙂
NATALYAJan 4, 2020 Natalya please tell me how do these oreshki turn out hard or soft? Looking for the recipe with soft texture.
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 4, 2020 They are crispy as they come out. When you fill them and they stay filled for a few days, they will soften.
olgaDec 17, 2014 Can I substitute the margarine with butter? I don't really have margarine in the house, ever.
Natalya DrozhzhinDec 17, 2014 This is the only way I have made them so I can't tell you for sure. I also use this recipe but it need margarine for the cookies. http://momsdish.com/r463
ViolaJan 11, 2014 All my relatives bought electrical oreshnitsa from oreshnitsa international company. They are in US. Their website is http://www.oreshnitsa.net or http://www.oreshnitsa.com. One of my friends said they bought oreshnitsa from Canada and were not happy. Their oreshnitsa broke in 1 month and company said they do not cover after 1 month. But Oreshnitsa International company gives 1 year warranty. Plus if your order from USA you have to pay custom fees yourself. But thanks for the recipe. I will try it soon.
annaMay 21, 2013 Hi, you can buy this oreshnitsa at http://www.oreshnitsa.ca/
My husband bought one for me, I love it...Natalya DrozhzhinMay 21, 2013 Thank you.
natalyaApr 8, 2013 I haven't tried it But I am sure it would.
OksanaApr 8, 2013 Wonder if this recipe would wok for an Electrical Oreshnitsa?!
oksanaMay 3, 2017 Did it work for an electrical one?
Natalya DrozhzhinMay 4, 2017 Now I use electric one and it works great for me 🙂
natalyaFeb 26, 2013 You mean to heat it up on a stove top?
I have a flat top. Problem you will run into is that butter would melt and create mess on your oven top but it will wash off latter. Just use it as if you were any pan, only keep wet towel and wipe often, helps preventing burning grease and smoke.AnnaJul 16, 2022 It's good to buy a spiral portable stove. Its small and great for outdoors to make oreshku... and you dont have to stink up your house.
marina parkFeb 26, 2013 Hi nataliya i was wondering can you explain how to use the metal press on a flat top? My mom bought me the presses but i have no idea how to use them. thanks
natalyaOct 24, 2012 I have seen many on ebay. Here is link to good one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-Sw…
rita.zubanovOct 24, 2012 These are my favorite! Where do you buy the metal press? I remember borrowing it from people but I don't know where I could find it.
