Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

"...'Tis the season to be jolly...fa la la la la la la ..."

Ever since Susan of Food Blogga announced the "Eat Christmas cookies" event, I've been truly enjoying this season.

There is so much Christmas cooking and baking all around that it is simply hard not to tie that apron and bake a few goodies myself. I hadn't baked a cookie before until I made the Butter and Jam Cookies (thumbprints). It wasn't long before I had the urge to try more cookies.

I love Ferrero Rocher chocolates, whole roasted hazelnut encased in a thin wafer shell filled with nutella/hazelnut cream and covered in milk chocolate and chopped hazelnuts...pure bliss! The combination of chocolate and hazelnuts spells only one thing for me...delicious! Hence, in my quest for a cookie recipe containing the same ingredients, I came upon this one.

Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

You will need: (Makes 36 cookies)

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In another medium bowl combine the butter, chocolate hazelnut spread, sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream the ingredients together, about 4 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Add the hazelnuts and stir until just combined.

Usins a tablespoon measure, spoon out the cookie dough onto a cookie sheet, spacing the mounds about 4 inches apart. Use a fork to flatten the cookie dough. Bake until lightly golden around the edges, about 10-12 mins. Use a metal spatula to transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Store in an air tight container.

I decided to send the cookies to 3 of my friends living in other cities. Since I had to mail them, I couldn't do a fancy wrap, but instead packed them well in a good food container. I haven't told any of them what's coming in the mail...so it's gonna be a pleasant surprise :)

Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies is headed to "Eat Christmas Cookies" event at Food Blogga