Nutella Thumbprint Cookies
I’m a huge fan of toasted hazelnuts. And an even bigger fan of toasted hazelnuts and chocolate combined. As previously stated I have an obsession with shortbread, so it’s not too surprising that I would create a thumbprint cookie comprised of a chocolate hazelnut shortbread base topped with a generous dollop of Nutella, how much Nutella makes it into these cookies really depends on the size of your thumb!
The cookie base is buttery and the cocoa keeps the cookies from being too sweet. I used sea salt as I often do because I love the surprising crunch of salt in a dessert, and the salt enhances the flavor of the nuts. The crumbly texture of the cookie is offset by the silky sweet chocolate of the Nutella. Because I’m a food snob, I didn’t use actual Nutella I used Nutiva, the organic much less sweet version of Nutella. It really doesn’t taste like Nutella and if you’re a Nutella lover, ignore me and use the real stuff.
Ingredients
8 oz (2 cubes) butter, room temperature
1/2 C sugar, plus 1 C sugar to roll the cookies
2 t vanilla
1 egg yolk
1 t sea salt
1/2 C cocoa powder
1 1/2 C flour
1/2 C coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts
1/3 C Nutella
Instructions
Heat oven to 350F, line a baking sheet with parchment.
In a large bowl combine the butter, 1/2 C sugar, and vanilla and beat until well combined and the sugar has dissolved.
Add the egg yolk and beat on high until the mixture is well blended and smooth, about 30-40 seconds.
Add the sea salt, cocoa, and flour and mix on medium speed until the ingredients are well blended.
Add the nuts and mix well.
Using a 1 oz. scoop, scoop the dough and roll in the 1C sugar.
Place the balls of dough on the lined baking sheet. These cookies won’t spread much, so it’s ok the place them one inch apart.
Using your thumb make an indentation in each cookie.
Spoon about 1 tsp. of Nutella in each cookie.
Place in the oven and bake until the cookies are firm, about 15-17 minutes.
Allow to cool completely before eating, if you eat them hot you will burn your tongue on the Nutella.
Makes 24
Cooks Note: I’m too lazy to pull out my mixer, so I mostly make my cookies by hand, using a wooden spoon.
