Aunt Betty’s Homestyle German Rocks
These traditional, tender cookies land somewhere between rich shortbread and a walnut drop cookie. They’re simple to make and pair beautifully with a warm mug of coffee or tea.
Aunt Betty’s Classic German Rocks
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups
- Unsalted butter, softened: 1 cup
- Granulated sugar: ½ cup
- Salt: ¼ tsp
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Walnuts, chopped: ½ cup
- Confectioners’ sugar: For dusting (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture.
Step 3: Make the Dough
Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms and no dry flour remains.
Step 4: Fold in Walnuts
Gently incorporate the chopped walnuts, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Finish
Once fully cooled, dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar if desired.
