Easy Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

Name: Easy Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter (softened); 1 1/2 cups brown sugar (lightly packed); 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups all purpose flour; 1/2 cup cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups chopped toasted hazelnuts; Optional: 1 1/2 cups mini milk chocolate chips

KrystelAugust 18, 2024

DifficultyEasy

Servings30

Decadent Double Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies: a Baking Guide

Introduction

Ah, the marriage of chocolate and hazelnuts in a cookie recipe is something quite divine, isn't it? It's this magical blend that forms the backbone of our decadent cookie adventure today. And why, you might ask, is this combination a stellar pick for any cookie season? Well, let me tell you, there's nothing like a batch of double chocolate hazelnut cookies to bring that extra layer of joy to your holidays or any day, really. These cookies are not just cookies; they're an experience - rich, nutty, and oh-so satisfying.

Key Takeaways:

Chocolate and hazelnuts make an irresistible combination for cookies.
Decadent cookies are perfect for elevating any holiday or cookie season.
Double chocolate hazelnut cookies offer a rich and satisfying experience.

Gathering Your Ingredients

Ah, the sweet beginning of any baking adventure—gathering your ingredients. For these mouthwatering double chocolate hazelnut cookies, we'll start with our all-stars:

Unsalted butter to give our cookies that melt-in-your-mouth texture,
Brown sugar and white sugar, the perfect duo for depth and sweetness,
Large eggs for binding everything together beautifully,
Vanilla extract, because every great cookie needs a splash of vanilla,
All-purpose flour, Dutch process cocoa powder, and a touch of sea salt, to bring out the chocolatey goodness,
Baking soda to lift our cookies just right,
And of course, chopped hazelnuts and milk chocolate for that decadent crunch and sweetness. Opt for good quality cocoa powder and fresh hazelnuts for the best tasting cookies you'll ever bake.

This harmonious blend sets the stage for cookie magic to happen. Quality ingredients are the secret to transforming a simple cookie recipe into an unforgettable baking experience. Let's get ready to bake cookies that'll have everyone asking for the recipe card!

Preparation Before Baking

Before we get our hands dirty in the kitchen, let me walk you through the few simple, yet vital steps to ensure our baking process is as smooth as the creamy butter we'll be creaming in no time. First off, and probably the most essential step in our cookie adventure, is to preheat your oven to the golden number of 350°F. This isn't just about getting the oven hot; it's about creating the perfect warm environment that'll embrace our cookies, giving them that perfect rise and texture we dream of.

Next up, let's talk about our stage – the baking sheets. Ever wondered why your cookies sometimes stick or come out looking a tad too rustic? The answer often lies in what they’re baked on. Here's where lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat comes in. Not only does this magical layer act as a non-stick barrier, ensuring our cookies glide off the sheet effortlessly, but it also makes cleanup a breeze. Trust me, it’s one of those little steps that make a world of difference, setting us up for a seamless baking session and perfect cookies every time.

Creating the Cookie Dough

The magic truly happens when you dive into creating the cookie dough. It's a simple process that begins in the large bowl of your stand mixer (or a regular bowl with a hand mixer). Start by creaming the softened unsalted butter with the white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, whispering promises of delightful cookies to come.

Next, the excitement builds as you add the vanilla extract—that rich, aromatic essence—and the eggs, incorporating them one at a time. These wet ingredients blend together, laying down the symphony's base notes. Now, the pivotal moment: integrating the dry ingredients. With a gentle hand, sift in the purpose flour, Dutch process cocoa powder, and a pinch of sea salt, transforming the mixture into a dark and inviting cookie dough. But here's the secret - resist the urge to overmix. We want our cookies to melt in your mouth, keeping the dough as tender as your anticipation for these baked treats.

Incorporating Hazelnuts and Chocolate

Now we’re diving into one of my favorite parts: mixing in the chopped hazelnuts and chocolate chips into our cookie dough. If there's anything I've learned in my kitchen adventures, it's that the blend of rich flavors can truly make a recipe shine. And in this case, the combination of chocolate and hazelnuts does just that. With each spoonful of dough, gently fold in the ground hazelnuts first, ensuring they're evenly distributed for that perfect nutty texture in every bite. Then, sprinkle in the mini milk chocolate chips, combining them with the dough until just mixed. This step is crucial for achieving a balanced decadent and rich taste that makes these double chocolate hazelnut cookies downright irresistible. Trust me, this is the kind of combination that turns a good cookie into a great one.

Shaping and Topping the Cookies

Now, let's get our hands a little messy and dive into the most fun part—shaping and topping our cookies. After you've mixed that gloriously thick and chocolatey dough, you'll want to grab a bit, about the size of a generous tablespoon. Roll it gently between your palms until it forms a lovely, smooth ball. This is your moment to get creative and feel the dough come alive.

Once you have your ball of potential, give it a gentle pat down on the prepared baking sheets, aiming for about half an inch thick. This is where the magic happens, the transformation from a simple scoop of dough to a cookie with the perfect blend of chewy and crunchy textures. But we're not done just yet! Sprinkle a few more chopped hazelnuts and those irresistible mini milk chocolate chips on top. It's not just about taste; it's about creating that tantalizing, picture-perfect look that makes your mouth water before you've even taken a bite. Trust me, shaping and topping your cookies with care is the secret to bakery-level beauty and texture.

Baking to Perfection

When it comes time to bake these wonderful cookies, preheating your oven to 350°F is where we start. Spreading the cookie dough balls onto prepared baking sheets, ensuring there’s enough room for them to expand, is a step I can't stress enough. This is the secret to getting that perfect nutty texture and the decadent combination of chocolate and hazelnuts to shine through in each bite. What’s more, make sure not to crowd your tray; I’d say leaving about two inches between each dough ball is your best way to ensure even baking.

After about 12 minutes in the oven, you’ll begin to see the edges turn a lovely golden brown, a sign they’re done to perfection. But here's a tip: the center might look a tad soft, but that’s okay. It'll firm up as the cookies cool, giving you that dreamy, chewy center. Transferring the cookies to a cooling rack ensures they don’t become soggy, keeping that perfect amount of moisture we all love in a cookie. Trust me, following these steps is the fastest way to double chocolate hazelnut cookie bliss.

Cooling and Storing Cookies

Once those delightful double chocolate hazelnut cookies have filled your kitchen with their irresistible aroma and baked to golden-brown perfection, the next step is crucial - cooling them properly. I like to transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack, giving them space to breathe. This isn't just about patience; it ensures your wonderful cookies don't turn soggy. After they've cooled completely, which seems like the longest wait ever (I know!), it's time to think about storage.

Tucking them away in an airtight container is the best way to keep that perfect amount of moisture inside, making sure they stay just as crunchy or chewy as you like them. And trust me, when you pop open that container for a midnight snack, you’ll be glad you took the extra time to store them right - it’s what keeps those flavors rich and the texture spot on, extending the life of your new favorite christmas cookies.

Embarking on Your Next Baking Adventure

Now that you've journeyed through the delicious world of creating Decadent Double Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies, I hope you feel inspired to don that apron, preheat your oven, and embark on this baking adventure yourself. Baking, after all, is more than just following a recipe card to the letter. It's about the joy of mixing, the aroma filling your home, and the smiles you're bound to see when you share these wonderful cookies.

Don’t hesitate to make this recipe your own. Feel the freedom to swap in white sugar for a nice fruity flavor or perhaps sprinkle a little sea salt on top before they hit the oven for that perfect sweet and savory bite. Each batch of cookies is a blank canvas for your culinary creativity.

And remember, whether it’s a holiday gathering, a simple family dinner, or just a quiet evening, these cookies are more than just a treat. They’re a little bundle of joy, made by you, ready to add that extra touch of sweetness to any occasion. So, grab your spatula and let's make every moment deliciously memorable.