Nut Rolls

Ingredients

• 0.5 cups warm milk
• 1 ounce active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 3 cups white sugar , divided
• 2.25 cups melted butter , divided
• 3 large eggs
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 pints sour cream
• 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 2.5 pounds ground walnuts
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract , Optional
• 2 large egg whites , beaten

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking trays with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Mix together warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Mix together 1 cup sugar, 1 cup melted butter, 3 eggs, and salt in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in sour cream. Add flour and yeast mixture; mix and knead until dough comes together. Divide dough into 7 equal pieces.

4. 4

   Stir together remaining 2 cups sugar and 1 1/4 cups melted butter in a second large bowl until sugar is dissolved. Mix in walnuts until coated. Stir in cinnamon and vanilla. Divide filling into 7 equal amounts.

5. 5

   Roll each dough piece into a rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick; brush the tops with some beaten egg whites. Spread an equal amount of filling on top of each rectangle, leaving a border around the edges. Brush borders lightly with egg whites, then roll up each rectangle lengthwise, jelly roll-style. Place each roll, seam-side down, onto the prepared baking trays and brush the tops with egg whites.

6. 6

   Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Cool completely before slicing to serve.