Cookies shaped like a walnut! But why?
20.5.2025
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Pictures: Judith Erdin
Looking for an extra appliance to make biscuits in the shape of a walnut? As a former baker and confectioner, I ask myself: who would want this? And above all: does it really work?
Who hasn’t dreamed of baking 3D biscuits in the shape of a walnut? Right… Probably no one – except maybe some random aunt, who, in addition to baking, passionately stuffs small dead ferrets as a second hobby and puts funny, home-knitted coats and hats on them. And yet, when I stumbled across the Oreshki walnut cookie maker by chance, I simply had to try it. What is a hyperspecific kitchen appliance like this good for, and is it suitable enough for everyday use to deserve one of the prized places in my kitchen cupboard?
First disappointment after two minutes
As I open the cardboard packaging, I think to myself: «This cookie maker actually looks pretty solid.» Like a waffle iron, but with 24 walnut-shaped indentations and a matching counterpart that presses the dough into the indentations when the appliance is closed.
Sadly, the first disappointment comes when you study the operating manual. It’s translated into what feels like 100 languages, but neither an effective application description nor a recipe is included. So, now I’m standing in my kitchen in front of an appliance that I know how not to use. For example, don’t dip it in water – wow, I’m shaken to my core. Still, I don’t know what I should do with it!
Dear manufacturer: most kitchens don’t have a walnut cookie maker, so it’s not quite as self-explanatory as a toaster. Please give me something I can work with! Momma wants as many recipe ideas as possible so that she can use the appliance thousands of times and tell everyone at family gatherings: «Oh ya know, I baked these delicious cream cheese and salmon walnuts with my oreshki walnut cookie maker from Adler Europe. And some Linzer walnuts from the dessert range too. Brilliant thing, I recommend it.»
Not quite done
Right… If there’s no instructions, I’ll just try something myself. And so I dig out one of my current favourite cookie recipes from my blog: nutty Spitzbuben cookies with orange marmalade (recipe in German). The dough is done in no time at all, and I set about forming 24 balls, which I can then place in the wells of the quickly and easily heated cookie maker. Just close the lid and wait.
After a few minutes, the biscuits are brown. At least those in the middle of the non-stick baking plate. The ones on the edge are still quite pale and look half-raw. And since my dough balls were also too big, everything joined together to form a rectangular flatbread, which is why I now have to remove more or less everything from the baking tray at once.
So, on my second attempt, I only form the balls into half the size. It actually turns out well, so I end up with 24 fun little walnut half-shells. But still, the ones in the middle of the plate are too dark, the ones on the outer edge too light. The edges of my shells are also frayed, so I have to remove the excess dough from each individual treat by hand. Crumb chaos and lots of biscuit waste are the order of the day. I’m not a fan.
Check out my test video here:
In a nutshell
Fancy cookies, mediocre appliance
Let’s be honest, holding these small, edible walnut cookies in your fingers is funny and kind of cute. And if you do a bit of googling, you’ll also find some recipes for these Russian cookie nuts (oreshki), which are usually filled with a caramel cream. So if you’re not afraid of the extra effort and unevenly baked biscuits, you might actually enjoy this appliance. However, I’m not convinced by the quality of this oreshki walnut cookie maker from Adler Europe.
Pro
- Pretty, unusual biscuits
Contra
- Biscuits don’t brown evenly
- Lots of effort, little return
- Lots of biscuit waste
- Lots of crumbs and cleaning
Header image: Judith Erdin
Judith Erdin
Bloggerin und Backbuch-Autorin von Streusel.ch
simon.balissat@digitecgalaxus.chBaking book author, food blogger and content creator by day. Other people's cat lover, peanut butter junkie and houseplant hospice nurse by night.
Cooking
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Home + Kitchen
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
4 comments
later