Indulge in the Best Soft & Chewy Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies: Your Ultimate Guide
Prepare to fall in love with these truly irresistible soft and chewy chocolate hazelnut cookies! If you, like me, are utterly smitten with the classic combination of rich chocolate and fragrant hazelnuts, then this recipe is about to become your new obsession. These cookies are a delightful symphony of flavors and textures, featuring a deep, intense chocolate base perfectly complemented by the wonderful nutty crunch of chopped hazelnuts. They are everything a cookie should be: tender in the center, slightly crisp at the edges, and bursting with a sophisticated, yet comforting, taste.
The Irresistible Duo: Why Chocolate and Hazelnut is a Match Made in Heaven
There’s a reason why chocolate and hazelnut are considered one of the world’s most beloved flavor pairings. The intense, often slightly bitter notes of dark chocolate find their perfect partner in the sweet, earthy, and aromatic qualities of hazelnuts. This combination is a culinary marvel, offering a complexity that satisfies the palate on multiple levels. Hazelnuts, with their distinct flavor, add a layer of sophistication and warmth, while chocolate brings its comforting familiarity. Together, they create a balanced and deeply satisfying experience that is hard to resist. From creamy spreads to decadent desserts, this duo consistently delivers pure bliss, and these chocolate hazelnut cookies are no exception.
The Serendipitous Origin of This Beloved Cookie Recipe
Sometimes, the best recipes are born out of happy accidents and a touch of necessity. That was certainly the case for these magnificent chocolate hazelnut cookies. I distinctly remember having just a few precious hours to whip up a delicious treat for a party, and upon surveying my pantry, realized it was surprisingly bare. My initial plan was to revert to my go-to favorite chocolate cookies recipe, a consistent crowd-pleaser. However, as fate would have it, my eyes landed on a forgotten bag of beautifully chopped hazelnuts stashed away in the freezer. A spark ignited!
In a moment of adventurous improvisation, I decided to toss those hazelnuts into the chocolate cookie dough at the very last minute. The result? Pure magic! These wonderful cookies emerged from the oven, filling my kitchen with an aroma that promised something truly special. They were an instant hit at the party, disappearing almost as quickly as I could set them down. Since that day, I’ve made them countless times, and they never fail to impress. It’s safe to say, this serendipitous creation has earned its permanent spot in my baking rotation, proving that sometimes, the best discoveries are made when you least expect them.
What Makes These Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies So Special?
These aren’t just any chocolate cookies with nuts; they are a meticulously crafted balance of textures and intense flavors designed to delight. The base is a rich, deeply chocolatey cookie dough that bakes up incredibly soft and wonderfully chewy, a testament to the perfect ratio of ingredients. What elevates them to another level is the generous inclusion of finely chopped hazelnuts. These aren’t just an afterthought; they’re integral to the cookie’s character.
Each bite offers a satisfying contrast: the yielding, almost fudgy interior of the chocolate cookie gives way to the delightful snap and nutty flavor of the hazelnuts. The nuts aren’t merely there for crunch; they infuse the entire cookie with their unique, aromatic essence, making every mouthful an experience. The subtle sweetness of the chocolate is beautifully balanced by the earthiness of the hazelnuts, preventing the cookies from being overly sweet and ensuring a truly gourmet taste. They are simple enough for a casual treat but elegant enough for a special occasion, guaranteed to disappear quickly from any cookie platter.
My Undeniable Obsession with Chocolate Hazelnut Treats
My love affair with the chocolate-hazelnut combination runs deep – some might even say I’m borderline obsessed! And honestly, who can blame me? The sheer versatility and divine flavor profile of this pairing make it an absolute joy to experiment with in the kitchen. If you share my passion, then you’re in for a treat, because my site is a treasure trove of other delightful recipes that celebrate this magical duo.
Beyond these glorious cookies, you can explore the creamy depths of my Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream, a rich and refreshing dessert perfect for any time of year. For breakfast or a decadent brunch, don’t miss the fluffy and fragrant Chocolate Hazelnut Sweet Rolls, oozing with delightful filling. If you’re looking for a slightly healthier twist on a classic, my Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookies offer all the flavor with added goodness. For a quick and elegant dessert, try the vibrant Chocolate Hazelnut Covered Strawberries, a simple yet impressive treat. And for those who love a bit of texture, the Dark Chocolate Rocky Road Ice Cream with Hazelnuts is an absolute dream. Of course, no chocolate hazelnut enthusiast can ignore the gooey goodness of Nutella Brownies with Hazelnuts, a truly indulgent experience. And for drizzling over anything and everything, my Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Sauce is a must-have. See? I told you. Utterly obsessed!
Essential Baking Tips for Perfect Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
Achieving the perfect soft and chewy texture with a delightful hazelnut crunch is easier than you think, especially with a few key baking tips. These insights will help ensure your cookies turn out beautifully every single time, making you a confident cookie baker.
Roasting Hazelnuts for Enhanced Flavor
While the recipe calls for chopped hazelnuts, taking an extra step to lightly toast them before chopping can significantly deepen their flavor. Spread your hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant and their skins start to peel. Once cooled, you can rub them in a clean towel to remove most of the skins (this is optional but can reduce bitterness) before finely chopping. This simple step brings out their full, nutty aroma and makes a noticeable difference in the final cookie taste.
The Importance of Room Temperature Ingredients
You’ll notice the recipe specifies room temperature butter and eggs. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a crucial step for achieving the best cookie texture. Room temperature butter creams together with sugar much more effectively, incorporating air and creating a light, fluffy base. Similarly, room temperature eggs emulsify better with the butter and sugar mixture, leading to a smoother, more uniform dough. Cold ingredients can cause the batter to seize, resulting in a denser, less tender cookie. So, plan ahead and take your butter and eggs out of the fridge at least an hour before you start baking.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing flour develops the gluten too much, which can lead to tough, dry cookies instead of the desired soft and chewy texture. As soon as you see no streaks of dry flour, stop mixing. The final addition of hazelnuts should also be gently folded in to avoid overworking the dough.
Baking to Perfection
The baking time for these chocolate hazelnut cookies is around 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary. The cookies are done when the edges are set and lightly firm, but the centers still look slightly soft and perhaps a little underbaked. They will continue to cook and set as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking will result in a dry, hard cookie, so err on the side of slightly underbaked for maximum chewiness.
baking tip:How to freeze cookie dough for future enjoyment
Freezing cookie dough is a brilliant way to ensure you always have fresh, homemade cookies on hand for unexpected guests or sudden cravings. It’s incredibly easy and saves so much time!
- Prepare your delicious chocolate hazelnut cookie dough exactly as directed in the recipe.
- Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, portion the dough into individual balls. Consistency in size helps them bake evenly later.
- Place these dough balls on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Ensure they are not touching. Pop the sheet pan into the freezer for about 1 hour, or until the dough balls are completely frozen solid. This step is called “flash freezing” and it prevents the cookies from sticking together.
- Once frozen, transfer the solid cookie dough balls to a freezer-safe ziplock bag or airtight container. Don’t forget to label it with the date and type of cookie! Store in the freezer for up to one month or even longer.
The beauty of freezing them this way is that they don’t form one giant, frozen mass. You can simply grab individual cookie dough balls directly from the freezer, bake them as needed (adding a minute or two to the baking time), and enjoy warm, fresh-baked cookies whenever the mood strikes!
Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
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Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter , at room temperature
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder , not dutch process
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup hazelnuts , very finely chopped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer, mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in the finely chopped hazelnuts.
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Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the tops are slightly cracked. The centers may still appear very soft – this is normal for a chewy cookie. Use a spatula to carefully transfer the warm cookies to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely.
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
These chocolate hazelnut cookies are absolutely divine on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages. Imagine a warm cookie alongside a cold glass of milk, a steaming mug of coffee, or a cozy cup of hot chocolate. For an extra indulgent treat, crumble them over a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream. They make fantastic additions to any dessert platter, perfect for parties, potlucks, or simply enjoying with loved ones.
Storage:
To keep your cookies fresh and chewy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to extend their freshness, you can also freeze the baked cookies. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for that fresh-baked feel.
Variations to Explore
While this recipe is perfect as written, don’t hesitate to get creative with a few variations:
- Different Chocolates: Instead of just cocoa powder, you could incorporate chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) or chopped chocolate chunks into the dough for extra pockets of melty goodness.
- Add Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies just before baking can enhance the chocolate flavor and add a beautiful salty-sweet contrast.
- Espresso Powder: A teaspoon of instant espresso powder added to the dry ingredients will deepen the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.
- Other Nuts: While hazelnuts are key to this recipe, if you’re feeling adventurous, a mix of hazelnuts and almonds could also be delicious.
Recipe originally published August 2011. Photos and content have been updated for improved clarity and enjoyment.
Tools for Baking Your Best Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience. Here are a few essentials that will help you achieve perfect results:
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Final Thoughts: Bake a Batch and Share the Joy!
These soft and chewy chocolate hazelnut cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. They embody comfort, indulgence, and the sheer joy of homemade baking. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion, a casual gathering, or simply to treat yourself, they are guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth. The rich chocolate and distinctive hazelnut flavor profile offer a gourmet touch that elevates them beyond a simple cookie.
So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and prepare to bake a batch of cookies that will surely become a cherished favorite. Don’t forget to share your creations! We love seeing how our recipes come to life in your kitchens. Happy baking!