Soft & Fluffy Walnut Rolls

35 soft, fluffy walnut rolls with a buttery walnut filling and sweet vanilla milk

“Happiness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it begins with a handful of simple ingredients, a warm oven, and the sweet aroma of something homemade.”

These homemade walnut rolls are soft, fluffy, buttery, and generously filled with ground walnuts. After their first short bake, they are drizzled with sweet vanilla milk and returned to the oven until beautifully golden brown.

This recipe makes approximately 35 walnut rolls, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends.

And the best part? You don’t have to make them with walnuts every time. The dough is wonderfully versatile, so you can fill it with cinnamon, cocoa, or any other filling you love. You can even make them simply with butter for a deliciously soft and buttery treat.

Welcome to Sprinkle Goodies – Where Baking Meets Happiness.

Simple ingredients. Seasonal flavors. Homemade happiness.

There is something wonderfully comforting about the smell of freshly baked yeast dough, butter, sugar, and walnuts filling the kitchen.

Ingredients

For the Dough

– 750 g (about 6 cups) all-purpose flour

– 50 g (about ⅓ cup) extra flour for dusting and handling the dough

– 38 g (about 1⅓ oz) dry yeast, or fresh yeast

– 4 large eggs

– 100 g (7 tbsp) melted butter

– 200 g (about 1 cup) granulated sugar

– 600 ml (2½ cups) lukewarm milk, divided

– Zest of 1 lemon

– A little vanilla extract

– A pinch of salt

For the Walnut Filling

– 200 g (14 tbsp) softened butter

– 200 g (about 1 cup) granulated sugar

– 200 g (about 2 cups) ground walnuts

For Brushing and Finishing

– 1 large egg, beaten

– 100 ml (about ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) milk

– 2 tbsp granulated sugar

– A little vanilla extract

Preparation

Start by activating the yeast.

Place the yeast in 200 ml (about ¾ cup + 1 tbsp) lukewarm milk with a little sugar. Let it sit for a few minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.

Place the flour in a large mixing bowl and combine it with a pinch of salt. Make a well in the center.

Pour the activated yeast mixture into the well. Add the 4 eggs, grated lemon zest, a little vanilla extract, and another 300 ml (1cup) milk.

Mix everything together, then add the 100 g (7 tbsp) melted butter.

Knead the dough well until it becomes smooth and soft.

Lightly dust the top with flour, cover the bowl, and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

Prepare the Filling

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling.

Mix the softened butter with the sugar until smooth and spreadable.

Beat the remaining egg in a small bowl with a fork.

In another small bowl, mix the remaining 100 ml (about ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) milk with 2 tbsp sugar and a little vanilla extract.

Shape the Rolls

Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide it into two equal portions.

Roll out one portion to approximately ½ cm (¼ inch) thickness.

Spread half of the sweetened butter evenly over the dough and sprinkle with half of the ground walnuts.

Roll the dough up tightly, like a jelly roll.

Cut the roll into pieces approximately 4–5 cm (1½–2 inches) wide.

Place the rolls cut-side up in a parchment-lined baking tray, leaving about 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) between them.

Cover and let them rise again for approximately 30 minutes.

Repeat the same process with the second half of the dough.

Bake

Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F).

Brush the risen rolls with the beaten egg.

Bake for approximately 10–15 minutes.

Remove the tray from the oven and generously drizzle the rolls with the sweetened vanilla milk.

Return them to the oven and continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, or until beautifully golden brown.

Leave the walnut rolls to cool in the baking tray.

This recipe makes approximately 35 delicious walnut rolls.

Serve them with vanilla sauce or simply enjoy them warm or at room temperature with a cup of coffee or tea.

Baking Tips

– Make sure the milk is lukewarm, not hot, when activating the yeast.

– Give the dough enough time to rise. A warm, draft-free place is ideal.

– Don’t roll the dough too thin. Keeping it around ½ cm thick helps create soft, fluffy rolls.

– The sweetened vanilla milk added during baking makes the rolls especially tender and moist.

– Leave enough space between the rolls because they will expand as they rise and bake.

– Baking time can vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them and look for a beautiful golden-brown color.

Try Different Fillings

The walnut filling is a family favorite, but this dough is perfect for experimenting.

You can make these rolls with:

– Cinnamon and sugar for a classic cinnamon roll flavor

– Cocoa and sugar for chocolatey rolls

– Walnuts and cinnamon for an extra fragrant filling

– Poppy seeds for a traditional twist

– Your favorite nut filling

– Or simply butter for soft, buttery rolls

So you can make a different version every time you bake them!

Storage

Store the cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

For a soft, freshly baked texture, gently warm them before serving.

You can also freeze the baked rolls. Allow them to cool completely, wrap them well, and freeze. Thaw at room temperature and warm gently before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many walnut rolls does this recipe make?

This recipe makes approximately 35 walnut rolls, depending on how wide you cut the rolled dough.

Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast?

Yes. Fresh yeast works perfectly well. Simply activate it in lukewarm milk with a little sugar before adding it to the dough.

Can I use a different filling?

Absolutely! The dough is very versatile. Try cinnamon, cocoa, poppy seeds, other nuts, or any favorite sweet filling.

Can I make them without walnuts?

Yes. You can make them with cinnamon, cocoa, or even just butter. They will still be soft, fluffy, and delicious.

Can I serve them with vanilla sauce?

Definitely. Vanilla sauce makes these rolls an especially comforting dessert, but they are delicious on their own too.

A Little Happiness from My Kitchen to Yours

I make these walnut rolls every walnut season, and they have become a true family favorite.

There is something special about homemade yeast pastries. Maybe it’s the smell filling the kitchen, the soft dough between your hands, or simply sitting down together and enjoying something you made from scratch.

And when the tray makes 35 little rolls, there is plenty to share.

Because happiness doesn’t have to be complicated.

Sometimes it is just warm, freshly baked dough, a little butter, some walnuts, and the people we love around the table.

Bake slowly. Share generously. Savor every bite.

From the Sprinkle Goodies kitchen, with a little happiness in every bite.