Walnut Oatmeal Shortbread Cookies

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves: 24 Cuisine: American

Walnut oatmeal shortbread cookies offer a delightful combination of crunchy walnuts, hearty oats, and rich buttery flavor, perfect for tea time or as a sweet snack.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces
  • 2 cups uncooked rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Butter cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
  3. Fit the work bowl with a metal blade.
  4. Add walnuts and pulse 5 or 6 times until very finely chopped.
  5. Add oats and blend together with nuts for about 3 seconds.
  6. Remove from work bowl and set aside.
  7. Add flour, salt, and baking soda to the work bowl with the metal blade attached.
  8. Process just until mixed, about 3 seconds.
  9. Remove from the bowl and set aside.
  10. Cut butter into 1-inch cubes and add to the work bowl along with white and brown sugars.
  11. Process on/off with 8 to 10 pulses, then process continuously until the mixture is creamed.

Tips & Substitutions

For a nuttier flavor, toast the walnut pieces before chopping. If you're out of almond extract, you can substitute with more vanilla extract or hazelnut extract. You can also use gluten-free flour to make this a gluten-free treat, ensuring the baking soda is certified gluten-free. Additionally, consider adding chocolate chips or dried fruits for extra sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Walnut Oatmeal Shortbread Cookies alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon snack. They also pair well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. For a festive touch, consider decorating them with royal icing, or browse more American recipes for complementary desserts.

Storage & Reheating

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag, where they can last for up to three months. To enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven for a few minutes.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Walnut Oatmeal Shortbread Cookies contains roughly 234 calories, with 1g protein, 18g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is a good source of vitamin A (12% of the Daily Value).

234 kcal 12% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 1g 2% DV
Total Fat 12.6g 16% DV
Carbs 18.3g 7% DV
Fiber 0.2g 1% DV
Sugar 10.2g 20% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 86.8mg 4% DV
Potassium 66.4mg 1% DV
Cholesterol 45.2mg 15% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 106.6mcg 12% DV
Vitamin C 0mg
Calcium 18.6mg 1% DV
Iron 0.4mg 2% DV
Diet fit Low-carb Under 400 cal
Contains Milk Egg Wheat/Gluten Tree nuts

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute the butter with margarine?

Yes, you can substitute unsalted butter with margarine in this recipe. However, the texture and flavor may slightly differ. Ensure the margarine is at room temperature for better creaming with the sugars. Some brands of margarine may also have added water, which can affect the final texture of your cookies.

What can I use instead of white sugar?

You can substitute white sugar with coconut sugar or a granulated sweetener of your choice. Keep in mind that this may alter the color and texture slightly, but it can still yield delicious results. If using a liquid sweetener, reduce the butter slightly to maintain the right consistency in the dough.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

These cookies should be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center when you take them out of the oven. They will continue to firm up as they cool. Avoid overbaking to maintain the shortbread's tender texture.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

American recipes → Vegetarian recipes → Dairy recipes → All recipes →