Aunt Betty’s Homestyle German Rocks

These traditional, crumbly cookies are a cross between a shortbread and a walnut drop cookie. They are simple to make and pair beautifully with a warm beverage.

Aunt Betty’s Homestyle German Rocks

Ingredients:

How To Make Aunt Betty’s Homestyle German Rocks:

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).1 Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick and to help them bake evenly.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar: In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the 1 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Beat the mixture until it is light, fluffy, and pale in color.

Step 3: Mix the Base Dough: Add the 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix well. Gradually stir in the 2 cups flour and 1/4 tsp salt. Continue mixing until a soft dough forms and no dry streaks of flour remain.

Step 4: Add the Crunch: Gently fold in the 1/2 cup chopped walnuts using a spatula or wooden spoon until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 5: Shape and Arrange: Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter). Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each ball to allow for slight spreading.

Step 6: Bake and Cool: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: The Sweet Finish: Once the cookies are cool, dust them generously with confectioners’ sugar if desired.