Irresistible Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Recipe: A Baker’s Dream

These chocolate hazelnut cookies are the perfect combination of rich, decadent chocolate and nutty, fragrant hazelnuts. They’re easy enough for a weeknight treat but elegant enough to serve to guests. This Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Recipe will quickly become a family favorite. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked!

After trying countless variations, I’ve perfected this chocolate hazelnut cookie recipe to achieve that perfect balance of chewy centers and slightly crisp edges. What’s the secret? It’s all about the quality of the ingredients and a few simple techniques. Are you ready to bake the most delicious cookies ever? Let’s dive in!

Gathering Your Ingredients for Chocolate Hazelnut Bliss

Before we start, let’s make sure you have everything you need. This chocolate hazelnut cookie recipe calls for fairly common pantry staples, but the quality of your chocolate and hazelnuts will truly elevate these cookies. Don’t skimp on the good stuff!

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

A quick tip: Toasting your hazelnuts before chopping them enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch. You can do this by spreading them on a baking sheet and toasting them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly!

Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Ingredients Laid Out

Mixing the Dough: The Key to Perfect Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

Now for the fun part – mixing the dough! Creaming the butter and sugars together is crucial for creating light and airy cookies. Don’t rush this step. Cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy, almost like whipped cream. This incorporates air into the dough, resulting in a softer texture. Imagine beating air into the batter, almost like whisking egg whites for a meringue. Similar to how incorporating air into a meringue gives it its lightness, creaming butter and sugar achieves a similar result in these cookies. For those interested in exploring other nutty delights, check out our guide on the Best nuts to add to cookie recipes.

Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough cookies. We want these to be delightfully chewy, not tough. Finally, fold in the chopped hazelnuts and chocolate chips.

Shaping and Baking: Bringing Your Chocolate Hazelnut Dream to Life

Once the dough is mixed, it’s time to shape the cookies. I prefer using a cookie scoop to ensure uniform size, which helps them bake evenly. If you don’t have one, you can use a spoon or even your hands to roll the dough into balls about 1-2 inches in diameter.

Place the cookie dough balls onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. Remember, they will continue to bake slightly as they cool.

Scoops of Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Dough on Baking Sheet

Cooling and Enjoying: The Sweet Reward

Once the cookies are out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The wire rack allows air to circulate around the cookies, preventing them from becoming soggy on the bottom.

Now, for the best part: enjoying your warm, gooey chocolate hazelnut cookies! These are absolutely divine on their own, but they also pair perfectly with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee. They’re the perfect treat for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy night in or a festive gathering. This chocolate hazelnut cookie recipe is sure to impress!

For those looking to experiment with different fillings, I highly recommend checking out our guide on How to make stuffed cookies with gooey centers.

Tips and Tricks for Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Perfection

• Brown Butter Magic: Browning the butter before adding it to the dough adds a rich, nutty flavor that complements the hazelnuts beautifully. It’s an extra step, but it’s worth it! More details on browning butter can be found in our guide on How to use brown butter in cookies.
• Chill Out: If your dough is too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before shaping the cookies. This will make it easier to work with and prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• Mix-in Mania: Feel free to experiment with other mix-ins! Dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, or even chopped pretzels would be delicious additions to this chocolate hazelnut cookie recipe. Looking for inspiration? Check out our article on the Best mix-ins for cookie recipes.
• Storage Smarts: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months.

Perfectly Baked Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies on Cooling Rack

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use Nutella instead of hazelnuts and chocolate chips?

A: While you can certainly use Nutella, it will alter the texture and flavor of the cookies. This chocolate hazelnut cookie recipe is designed to balance the distinct flavors of chocolate and hazelnut, which might be lost with Nutella.

Q: How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

A: The edges should be set and the centers should be still slightly soft. They will continue to bake a bit as they cool.

Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough?

A: Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Enjoying Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies with a Glass of Milk

So, there you have it – a foolproof chocolate hazelnut cookie recipe that will satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your friends and family. Happy baking! Share your creations and baking adventures with us – we’d love to see your chocolate hazelnut cookie masterpieces!