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Persian walnut cookies (Nan-e gerdui)

February 21, 2017 by Caroline's Cooking 15 Comments

These Persian walnut cookies have only 4 ingredients, are gluten free & easy to make. Traditionally for Nowruz, they’re a tasty treat any time.

Persian walnut cookies - nan-e gerdui

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We’ve had a few snowy days recently and it’s the sort of weather that makes me want to bake. Not that I don’t like snow, but it has been a bit too cold to have the kids (and me) out for too long. And our kitchen gets so cold, having the oven on helps warm it up too. A great excuse, right?

I’ve been thinking recently about foods for Nowruz, and I came across lots of tasty-looking cookies, including these Persian walnut cookies, nan-e gerdui. I definitely wasn’t disappointed with my choice, these are so good.

Persian walnut cookies - nan-e gerdui: These Persian walnut cookies have only 4 ingredients, are gluten free & easy to make. Traditionally for Nowruz, they're a tasty treat any time.

A Nowruz treat

These Persian walnut cookies have so much going for them. First of all, they’re easy to make, only four ingredients and naturally gluten free. Then when you try them they are deliciously sweet and nutty as you might expect, but also have a lovely combination of a dry, almost crisp outside and slightly chewy middle.

They are one of a number of cookies that are traditionally made for Nowruz, the Persian New Year. As I found out in this article, apparently legend has it that King Jamshid discovered sugar on Nowruz, so cookies and candies have become a common part of the celebration. Plus the word candy actually comes from the Persian word for sugar, qand.

Persian walnut cookies - nan-e gerdui: These Persian walnut cookies have only 4 ingredients, are gluten free & easy to make. Traditionally for Nowruz, they're a tasty treat any time.

Just as many Americans tend to cook many different Christmas cookies, those who celebrate Nowruz will often cook a few different Persian cookies. Many, like these walnut cookies are pretty simple using nuts or other non-wheat flours (like Persian rice cookies, and others with chickpea), eggs, sugar and a spice or two.

Since we liked these so much, I think I’m going to have to try some more of the others in due course. I’ve also loved the savory Nowruz dishes I have tried, like kuku sabzi, Persian herb fritatta, and the dolmeh barge mo which have been a favorite a while.

Persian walnut cookies - nan-e gerdui: These Persian walnut cookies have only 4 ingredients, are gluten free & easy to make. Traditionally for Nowruz, they're a tasty treat any time.

How to make Persian walnut cookies

As with most traditional recipes, these walnut cookies have a few variations. Some flavor with vanilla, others cardamon. Some grind the walnuts finely, others use pieces.

I have gone with a fairly simple version where you grind the walnuts in a food processor. Separately, you whisk together the sugar, egg yolks and vanilla then add the ground walnuts. Scoop the mixture in teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet then top with chunks of walnut. Bake then let them cool before diving in.

See the video to walk you through making these tasty cookies:

These Persian walnut cookies are easy to make and such a delicious mix of nuttiness, a dry outside and slightly chewy middle. A wonderful treat for any occasion.

Tools to make these cookies (affiliate links)

I’d recommend using a Silicone Baking Mat on top of a Half Baking Sheet to make these.

Try these other tasty international cookies:

  • Kleicha (Iraqi date cookies)
  • Brunkager (Danish brown/Christmas cookies)
  • Alfajores (dulce de leche sandwich cookies)
  • Plus get many more Persian recipes and snack recipes, both sweet and savory, in the archives.
Persian walnut cookies - nan-e gerdui
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Persian walnut cookies (Nan-e gerdui)

These Persian walnut cookies are very easy to make but taste delicious. Traditionally eaten for Nowruz, they would be perfect any time.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: gluten free cookie, walnut cookies
Servings: 16 -18 cookies
Calories: 64kcal
Author: Caroline's Cooking

Ingredients

  • 1 cup walnut pieces 130g
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 3 tbsp sugar 40g
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • a few walnut pieces 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 almost creamy.
  • Mix in the ground walnuts and stir until well combined.
  • 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 approx 15min until lightly brown. Leave them to cool on the baking sheet a few minutes as they will be a little soft.

Video

Notes

(see video above)

Nutrition

Calories: 64kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 34mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.3mg

See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline’s Cooking Amazon store. 

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Persian walnut cookies - nan-e gerdui: These Persian walnut cookies have only 4 ingredients, are gluten free & easy to make. Traditionally for Nowruz, they're a tasty treat any time.

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Filed Under: Holiday Recipes, Persian recipes, Snack recipes, World Recipes Tagged With: cookie, dairy free, gluten free, Iranian, Nowruz, Persian, vegetarian, walnut

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Comments

  1. Yvette says

    May 12, 2017 at 11:30 pm

    Hi! I’m excited to try these cookies since my husband is Persian and he’s been craving for some Persian sweets. Question though, do you use granulated white sugar or powdered sugar for this recipe? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      May 13, 2017 at 8:43 am

      Perfect, I hope these live up to what he remembers! So I used regular granulated sugar in the US, but I know in the UK the ‘normal’ granulated sugar is not that fine. You might need to look for fine sugar if the what you would normally have is not that fine to blend better, but I wouldn’t suggest powdered sugar as you do still want a bit of texture. Hope you all enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Colleen says

    February 24, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    These look great…I might need to try them without the nuts so that I don’t kill poor Bob, but I think I could really do a lot with this simple recipe!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 26, 2017 at 10:27 pm

      Hmm, allergies are tough, but I’m sure you could use the same general base with other things.

      Reply
  3. Deanna says

    February 24, 2017 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    I have a Persian friend, I have to make these for him, I am always trying to impress him!! This is perfect!!! YUM!!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 26, 2017 at 10:28 pm

      Sounds perfect, I agree! Hope you both enjoy.

      Reply
  4. Doreen Simpson says

    February 23, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    5 stars
    Love the look of these and such a simple recipe too ♥

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 26, 2017 at 10:29 pm

      Thanks Doreen, I agree simple but delicious.

      Reply
  5. Hadia says

    February 23, 2017 at 7:13 am

    5 stars
    Really, these cookies look so scrumptious! I enjoyed watching the video too

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 26, 2017 at 10:29 pm

      Thanks Hadia, they really are good!

      Reply
  6. Beverley Press says

    February 23, 2017 at 2:30 am

    5 stars
    oh yes please and how can something so simple taste so great, thank you

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 26, 2017 at 10:30 pm

      Thanks Beverly, I know what you mean, but often simple is best!

      Reply
  7. Christine says

    February 23, 2017 at 12:31 am

    Awesome!

    Reply
  8. Amy says

    February 21, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    These look fabulous. And only four ingredients! I will be trying them.

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      February 26, 2017 at 10:17 pm

      They are so good, and easy too – hope you enjoy!

      Reply

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Caroline's Cooking

Welcome! I'm Caroline and this is where I share recipes inspired by travels, places I want to go, or just ideas from feeding the family. Most recipes are easy to make and healthier, but there are treats too! Read More…

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