Hazelnut and Chocolate Cookies

Recipe Overview 🍽️

History of the Recipe ✍️

Hazelnut and chocolate cookies draw inspiration from American cookie traditions, which often feature various fillings. The combination of hazelnuts and chocolate is particularly popular in Italian baking, where hazelnuts are widely cultivated.

Ingredients 🛒

listed in the order of use in the procedure:

• 100 g (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter (softened)
• 100 g (1/2 cup) of brown sugar
• 50 g (1/4 cup) of white sugar
• 1 egg
• 150 g (1 1/4 cups) of all-purpose flour
• 50 g (1/2 cup) of hazelnut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 100 g (3.5 oz) of dark chocolate (chopped or in chips)
• 100 g (3.5 oz) of hazelnuts (roughly chopped)

Steps (How to Make ) 🥣

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Add the egg and mix well.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the flour, hazelnut flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate this mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined.
4. Add Chocolate and Hazelnuts: Fold in the chopped chocolate and hazelnuts into the dough gently.
5. Shape Cookies: Using a tablespoon, drop balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each ball.
6. Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden.
7. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chef Tips 👨‍🍳

• To enhance the flavor of the hazelnuts, you can lightly toast them before adding to the dough.
• Avoid overmixing the dough once the dry ingredients are added to prevent the cookies from becoming tough.

Possible Variations 🎭

• Substitute dark chocolate with milk chocolate for a sweeter flavor.
• Add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies before baking for a salty touch.

Bake Time 🔥

The Hazelnut and Chocolate Cookies bake for 10 to 12 minutes, filling your kitchen with a delightful aroma. During this time, the cookies develop a golden-brown hue, signaling that they are ready to be removed from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process helps maintain their texture and flavor, ensuring that each bite is as enjoyable as the last.

How to Store 🥡

Food and Drink Pairings 🥂

These cookies pair perfectly with a glass of milk, a cup of black coffee, or black tea.

Presentation Suggestion 🍽️

Serve the cookies on a wooden plate, accompanied by a small pot of melted chocolate for dipping, or stack them on a tray for an attractive presentation.

Why It’s Healthy 💚

Hazelnuts are rich in healthy fats, protein, and vitamins, while dark chocolate provides antioxidants. These cookies are a more nutritious alternative compared to other sweet desserts.