Description
Sweet chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies bring warmth from Italy’s rich baking traditions. Delicate cookies with rich chocolate centers promise delightful moments of pure indulgence for cookie enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup finely chopped toasted hazelnuts
- ½ cup Nutella or homemade chocolate hazelnut spread
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Garnish Ingredients:
- ¼ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream together softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and airy, using an electric mixer for about 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine flour, salt, baking powder, and finely chopped hazelnuts using a whisk.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
- Gently roll the dough into small, uniform balls approximately 1-inch in diameter, positioning them evenly across the prepared baking sheet with sufficient spacing.
- Create a distinctive indentation in the center of each cookie using either your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, ensuring a gentle but firm press.
- Transfer the cookie sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for light golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
- Once removed from the oven, carefully press the centers again to reinforce the thumbprint impression, then allow the cookies to cool completely.
- Fill each cooled cookie’s center with a generous dollop of chocolate hazelnut spread, using either a spoon or piping bag for precise application.
Notes
- Add extra chopped hazelnuts to the dough for a more intense nutty crunch that elevates the cookie’s texture and flavor profile.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create more precise, compact cookie shapes during baking.
- Swap Nutella with dairy-free chocolate spread for a vegan-friendly version, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these delightful treats.
- Use a small measuring spoon or the back of a clean cork to create perfectly uniform and neat thumbprint indentations without sticking to the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 152
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg