Table of Contents
Introduction
If you are a follower of cookies, there is no way you would not like to taste this special kind of cookies, which are hazelnut cookies. The cookies are adorable. Besides the hazelnut flavors, they are very buttery and easy to melt in the mouth. They are drop cookies, basic but light and great for any occasion: afternoon tea, Christmas, or as a gift for the neighbors.
This is your ultimate guide to understanding the kind of cookies made mostly from hazelnuts. Including the detailed process and practical recipes, inspirations and ideas, recommendations of professionals, and answers to frequently asked questions – so you’ll get everything you need to bake delicious, irresistible hazelnut cookies you might want to impress everyone with.
Why Hazelnut Cookies Are Special?
1. Rich, Nutty Flavor
The nut has a natural sweetness and an earthly flavor that makes it special in sweet preparations. Because of their taste, they add a touch of sophistication to usual cookies, which makes them appealing to people who love refined food.
2. Texture Perfection
Hazelnut cookies are made from nuts with a crispy texture when toasted and a buttery texture of the cookies. The sticky texture of the outward covering creates an ideal contrast with the softness of the food inside to make every bite interesting.
3. Versatile and Customizable
In a way, it is very easy to add chocolate or spices or other kinds of nuts to the recipe and have that as the perfect hazelnut cookie. Due to their flexibility, they are one of the preferred choices for creative baking.
4. Perfect for Any Occasion
These cookies are best if taken during the holidays or one or two in between cups of coffee in the middle of the day. They are eye-pleasing and they also have well sweet crops on them.
How to Make Hazelnut Cookies: Step-by-Step Recipe
To your absolute disbelief, making homemade hazelnut cookies is not a complicated task at all. You will be surprised to learn that you are ready to make these delicious foods using a few kitchen utensils and following a few essential cooking rules.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (150g) roasted and finely ground hazelnut
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 115g unsalted butter, at room temperature, dyed half of the Butter yellow.
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips or melted chocolate that you will pour over the cake.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Hazelnuts
- First of all, let’s set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
- Toast the hazelnuts evenly on the baking sheet for about 8-10 minutes. Let them cool, then peel off the skin using a piece of cleaned kitchen towel.
- Process the roasted hazelnuts in a food processor until they attain fine powder. This should however not be overdone so as to end up with a paste instead of chunks.
2. Make the Cookie Dough
- In a mixing bowl and using a fork mix the soft butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Finally, stir in the egg yolk and also vanilla appetizers.
- In a bowl aside, mix in the ground nut of hazelnuts, flour, and salt. Slowly put both these dry mixtures into the liquid one, and mix until you get a dough.
3. Shape the Cookies
- Shape the dough into small round shapes of approx 1 inch and then put them on a prepared baking sheet. Level it with the back of your palm or fork if you need to produce a flat and even cake.
4. Bake the Cookies
- Place in the preheated oven for ten to twelve minutes or till the edges are rather brown.
- Remove cookies from the oven and place the cookies on the baking sheet for another five minutes before finally moving them to a wire rack to cool.
5. Include Optional Features
- When the cookies are completely cool, spread the melted chocolate gently over them or, for a less messy appearance, dip half of each cookie into the chocolate.
Creative Variations for Hazelnut Cookies
Take your hazelnut cookies to the next level with these creative twists:
1. Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
To make the cookies chocolate flavored, add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough or else add cocoa powder.
2. Spiced Hazelnut Cookies
Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon, and nutmeg to the dough to give it a warm oriental touch of cardamom.
3. Gluten-Free Hazelnut Cookies
To make these cookies appropriate for those with celiac or sensitive to gluten, replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour.
4. Hazelnut and Orange Zest
Add one teaspoon of orange zest to get the citrusy touch with which the hazelnuts will complement the flavor.
5. Jam-Filled Thumbprints
Pineapple rolls Pineapple balls of dough, streak an indention in their middle, add jam of desire, and bake pineapple balls for a surprise fruit filling.
Check Out: Pistachio Cookies – Flavor#16.
Tips for Perfect Hazelnut Cookies
1. Use Fresh Hazelnuts
The best hazelnuts to use are those which have been roasted and preferably freshly roasted. Large ground hazelnuts that come ready-packaged are usually less flavorful, so avoid them.
2. Chill the Dough
If it is too sticky to handle, it will help to chill for 15–20 minutes to firm up.
3. Avoid Overbaking
Be careful when baking them, to avoid having the cookies hard as rocks or looking raw.
4. Experiment with Sweetness
The sugar level can be reduced depending on the personal taste, and if chocolate or jam is going to be used for the cookies.
5. Store Properly
Store the cookies in an airtight jar so they remain crispy for several days.
Serving Suggestions for Hazelnut Cookies
It is very easy to serve hazelnut cookies since the cookie can be put in a variety of serving dishes. Here are some ideas:
1. Pair with Beverages
Such cookies are perfect to be served with coffee tea or hot chocolate in the afternoon.
2. Dessert Platters
Add the cookies with other kinds of desserts such as chocolate truffles, macaron, and biscotti to enhance the look of the parcel.
3. Gift Packaging
Pack the cookies in decorative cases or cellophane bags and decorate them with some ribbons to give the cookies as gifts to your friends and family.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Room Temperature: For tasting and best results, keep the banana bread in an airtight container on the counter for up to one week.
- Freezing Dough: Divide the dough into round forms and put it on a baking sheet; freeze. After freezing, pack in a freezer bag and can be Frozen for up to three months.
- Reheating: For that moist-and-cookie freshly baked look and feel, heat in the oven at about 300°F or 150°C for about 5 minutes.
Conclusion
Hazelnut cookies are the all-time favorite sweets because they combine the taste of nuts and hazelnuts and a delicate crust of butter cookies. It is good to take it alone, dip it in chocolate, or even fill it with jam, it’s versatile like every other cookie. A very easy recipe but the end result is extremely elegant; you’ll definitely make hazelnut cookies over and over again.
Including gourmet delight, these Cookies are equally suitable when served as a casual snack or as a gift offering. Using the recipe and tips followed here, you are set to make a batch that will make friends, family, and yourself happy. So get ready to start baking, turn on your oven, and get ready for the delicious nutty pastry!
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FAQs
1. It seems to me that it would be okay if I just used broken and ground hazelnuts this finely for this recipe instead of grinding whole ones.
Yes, hazelnut meal can easily be found but power making it from freshly roasted and freshly ground hazelnuts is way much better because of the enhanced taste and aroma.
2. How can I make hazelnut cookies vegan?
When preparing vegan cookies replace the butter with vegan or coconut butter and instead of the yolk you may use flax seed or chia seed egg.
3. What other nuts can be used apart from almonds and peanuts?
Absolutely! A combination of stevia-sweetened flour mix could infuse a mild, earthy sweet flavor to the dough, the almonds, walnuts, or pecans would impart a sweet, nutty flavor, as well as, texture.
