Ingredients for Linzer Cookies
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour, spoon and level
- ⅓ cup + 2 tbsp cacao powder – Use good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate taste.
- 1 cup finely ground hazelnuts (lightly toasted for more flavor)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup Nutella
- powdered sugar, for dusting
Chocolate hazelnut cookies: a concise orientation before we get practical.
How to Make Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
1. Toast the hazelnuts for a couple of minutes. Only lightly toasted. Then, grind them finely.
Toasting hazelnuts lightly (just until fragrant) brings out their nutty flavor. But don’t over-toast, or they’ll turn bitter.
2. Next, in a bowl, whisk together flour, cacao powder, ground hazelnuts, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Then, add the egg yolk and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Dough will be soft but not sticky.
5. Divide the dough into two, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll dough to about ⅛–¼ inch (3-5 mm) thick on a large piece of parchment paper or lightly floured surface.
8. For half the cookies, cut a small shape (heart, star, or circle) in the center. For the other half, cut flat rounds. These two will make the tops of your sandwich cookies.
*If the weather is warm, place baking sheets in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before baking. Place cookies on sheets and bake 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
Note: Linzer cookies should be just set when they come out of the oven. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool. Over baking can make them hard.
9. Dust cut-out tops with powdered sugar. Then, spread approximately 1 tsp of Nutella on each solid base cookie. Gently sandwich with a sugar-dusted top.
