Cardmom-Walnut Cookies are a simple cookie, full of the warm and aromatic spice of cardamom, along with lots of walnuts and plenty of powdered sugar.
Sometimes, a simple bag of organic cardamom seed powder being on clearance is all it takes.
The price sticker said .99 cents. I knew it was a good deal (usually retailing for at least $4), but I had no clue what cardamom tasted like and I had never used it in a recipe.
But when I have a chance to try something new — especially spices when I can get them for a great deal — I’m just slightly adventurous enough to give it a try.
I took my cardamom home, tucked it into my spice cupboard. That poor cardamom…several months passed and I didn’t give it much thought. That was until #SundaySupper came around again.
The #SundaySupper theme for this week is a Cookie Exchange hosted by Janet Keeler, Food & Travel Editor for the Tampa Bay Times and Author of Cookielicious. I’ve been baking so much and most of my cookies have been with chocolate. Which is a good thing. But, I was kind of in the mood for something different. Something unique. And something non-chocolate. [I know, strange…non chocolate? So bizarre.]
Then I remembered my lonely bag of cardamom and decided that my cookie exchange contribution would be Cardamom-Walnut Cookies.
If you think these look familiar, you are right. They are very similar to Russian Teacakes, Mexican Wedding Cakes, or Snowballs — depends on what you might call them and there is probably even more names. But, of course, these have the warm and aromatic spice of cardamom, along with lots of walnuts and plenty of powdered sugar. They are simple cookie, but with wonderful flavor.
My husband is in love with them — he says they are perfect to have with his coffee. I’m a coffee drinker too, but I think they are fantastic with a cup of hot tea. Coffee, tea…or none of the above, I think you’ll like them, particularly if you want a cookie that is less sweet and with a distinctive flavor.
Here’s the recipe as I prepared it, which is adapted very slightly from a recipe at Epicurious.
PrintCardamom-Walnut Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks, softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts (finely chopped & toasted)
For rolling
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons cardamom, vanilla extract, lemon peel and salt. Beat at medium-high speed with hand or stand mixer until well blended. Add flour and walnuts to butter mixture; beat on low until combined well and dough forms. Gather dough and shape into a ball and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- While cookie dough chills, in a small bowl, combine ingredients for rolling cookies in. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Create small round balls of cookie dough, about 3/4 – 1″ in size. Line cookie balls on baking sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes or until cookie is golden brown.
- Allow cookies to cool for approximately 5 minutes on baking sheet, Place powdered sugar for rolling in a shallow bowl or plate. Roll cookies completely in powdered sugar and place on a plate. Once all cookies have been rolled in sugar, sift or sprinkle remaining sugar on tops of the cookies.
Don’t leave quite yet! The very best part about #SundaySupper is that I get to share a huge list of links to other great recipes for our theme — below you will find a over 50 cookie recipes perfect for your holiday baking!
The Sunday Supper Favorite Cookie Exchange Cookies:
- Turtle Thumbprint Cookies by Cravings of a Lunatic
- #glutenfree Almond Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by Cooking Underwriter
- M & M Cookies by Damn Delicious
- Snowball Cookies by Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Mocha Thumbprint Cookies by The Meltaways
- Cardamom-Walnut Cookies by Home Cooking Memories
- Polish Chrusciki (Bow Ties) by Comfy Cuisine
- Cherry Blossom Cookies by Flour on my Face
- Rosettes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Millionaire’s Shortbread by Gotta Get Baked
- Double-the-Mint Chocolate Kiss Cookies by The Weekend Gourmet
- Whole Wheat Cereal Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Chocolate Dipped Potato Chip Shortbread Cookies by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Scories De Vulcan | Lava Stones Cookies by The Daily Dish Recipes
- Zimtsterne {Cinamon Stars} #Dairyfree by Galactosemia in PDX
- S’mores Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Book and Cooks
- Chocolate Whoppers by Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Ricotta Cookies with White Chocolate Glaze Country Girl in the Village
- Turtles by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies! by I Run For Wine
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee Cookies by The Urban Mrs.
- Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies by She likes ruffles, he likes truffles
- Amaretto Almond Biscotti by Noshing With The Nolands
- Mexican Chocolate Cookies by Generation Y Foodie
- Double Chocolate Peppermin Biscotti by Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
- Ice Cream Kolaczki by Cookistry
- Amoniaczki by What Smells So Good?
- Fruit and Nut Ice Box Cookies by In the Kitchen with Audrey
- Ginger Bourbon Balls by girlichef
- Candy Cane Blossom Cookies by Mommas Meals
- Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies by Lovely Pantry
- Ninja Bread Men by Diabetic Foodie
- Peppermint Sugar Cookies by In The Kitchen With KP
- Christmas Crunchies by Magnolia Days
- Cream Cheese Swirled Red Velvet Cookies by Mom’s Test Kitchen
- Double Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies and Tips on Mailing Cookies by Chocolate Moosey
- Congo Bars by Supper for a Steal
- Mint Surprise Cookies by The Cookie A Day Challenge
- Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies by Midlife Road Trip
- Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars by Shockingly Delicious
- Oreo Cheesecake Cookies by Baker Street
- Biscoff Pillow Cookies by by The Messy Baker Blog
- Mexican Hot Cocoa Cookies by Juanita’s Cocina
- Raspberry Thumbprints for my first #SundaySupper! by Kelly Bakes
- Tea Biscuits by My Cute Bride
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies by Mama Mommy Mom
- Lebanese Butter Cookies for the Christmas Season by The Catholic Foodie
- Almond Joy Macaroons by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Gluten Free Coconut Fruit Nut Cookies by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Snowball Surprise Cookies by Family Foodie
Do you have a favorite cookie to take to a Cookie Exchange? Please join on us on Twitter throughout the day during #SundaySupper on December 9th. In the evening we will meet at 7pm EST for our #SundaySupper Ultimate Cookie Exchange live chat. We are giving away 5 signed copies of Cookielicious!
All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag or you can follow us through TweetChat.
We’d also love to feature your recipe for The Ultimate Cookie Exchange on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board to share them with all of our followers, too.
Theresa says
I love Cardamom & these look yummy! Almost like Russian tea cookies with a twist on the flavor! Sorry I missed the chat that would of been fun. & I will have to check through the recipe list to see if there is something else to bake last minute. Merry Christmas Brandie to you & your family.
Amanda Fraijo-Tobin (@FraijoManda) says
I never buy cardamon b/c of the price either…. these sure sound awesome although I’d have to think of what I’d want to replace the cardamon with. 🙂
LondonBusyBody says
They look beautiful too!
Carla says
Love your cardamom twist on the snowball cookies! I have a jar of ground cardamom but rarely use it. Will have to try these now.
Family Foodie says
I want to shop where you do… .99 cents for Cardamon that is just fabulous and so are these cookies!
Terra says
Cardamom is my most favorite spice, so these cookies look and sound AWESOME!!! YUM! Hugs, Terra
Susan says
I have yet to use cardamom either in my cookies. I know people love the flavor, I really need to get on the bandwagon!
Megan - I Run For Wine says
I love Cardamom tea, never thought of Cardamom cookies. Awesome!
Tammi @ Momma's Meals says
These remind me of cookies I used to have when I was a kid…….I can totally have these with my morning coffee and afternoon tea!! Sign me up!
Audrey's Mamma says
Sounds odd but I have no idea what cardamom tastes like. And I am sure the girls would love the powdered sugar!
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out says
These sound lovely and they look so pretty!
Stephanie {thecookieadaychallenge} says
I have never tried cardamom. Sounds like a wonderful flavor combination!
Katie says
These cookies sound so unique and tasty! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sarah says
I think we were on the same wavelength – I made something very similar yesterday!
Anne @ Webicurean says
These look gorgeous! I use cardomom all the time when cooking Indian dishes, but I’ve never tried it in sweets …. no time like the present to start!
Donna says
I think cardamom is one of those flavors that people think they’re not familiar with until they taste it … and then it’s like, oh yeah, that’s what it is. Great idea for these cookies!
Sheila Fretz says
I have never used Cardamom before but it looks yummy! I will need to substitute the walnut’s because I’m allergic. Maybe I could use pecans.
Lyn @LovelyPantry says
Its so good to be adventurous! I pick things up all the time just so that I can try it and see how I like it. You got an excellent deal on the cardamom! These must be SO GOOD! I’m saving this recipe 🙂
diabeticFoodie says
I cannot imagine how good cardamom must be in these cookies. Yum! My dad loves tea cakes, so I’m totally stealing this idea 🙂
Dara says
Love these! Cardamom and walnuts is a great combination.
Tara says
Those look so good, I never use cardamon but now you have me intrigued!!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
I’ve had a lot of Mexican wedding cookies in my day (LOVE them) and I love the unique flavour twists you gave to yours with the cardamom and lemon. Cardamom is so expensive – I bought a small jar of it for over $10 (I can’t remember the price but it was exorbitant!) I rarely get a chance to use it so I should definitely make this cookie soon!
Renee says
I just bought some whole cardamom pods/seeds. I’m glad I have a spice grinder so I can make these cookies. Cardamom is a lovely flavor and I also want to incorporate it more into my baking and cooking.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I make my mom walnut snowballs every year. I love the addition of cardamom to change them up a bit.
Liz says
I LOVE snowballs and now I’m dying to add some caramom to my next batch! Happy Sunday Supper, Brandie!
Bea says
These must be amazing. Like Paula I also love cardamom…Thank you for sharing!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
I LOVE cardamom, and you gave me the best idea next time I make butterballs! Gorgeous!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
Love Cardamom in Asian and Indian cooking, but never had it in cookies – sounds wonderful for the season!
Conni Smith says
Oooo, I bet the cardamom is amazing in these cookies!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Yum, this flavor combo sounds divine.
Laura | Small Wallet, Big Appetite says
I am a big cardamom fan, I use it in a lot of my Indian dishes. I never thought to use it in cookies though. I will have to give it a try.
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I love cardamom! I’m definitely making these!
Arlene@FlourOnMyFace says
Yep I would have snatch that cardamom up also. It is one of the most expensive spices! I bet these cookies taste so good. I love to find recipes using cardamom.
Hezzi-D says
Cardamom is one of those spices I have in the cupboard but never know what to do with. I can’t wait to try these spiced cookies!