February 16, 2017

Easy chocolate hazelnut cookies - small batch, in a flash

It's the day after Valentine's Day and I found myself in the kitchen making chocolate cookies.  We seriously don't need more chocolates or treats after indulging (more than usual) the day before but I couldn't help myself.  I got my hands on Christina Lane's latest book, Sweet & Simple, and these chocolate hazelnut cookies were just too easy and promising to resist.  In my defense, it takes hardly any work and results in a very reasonable 6 cookies, which are sure to vanish quickly.
I hope you had a sweet Valentine's Day!  I loved seeing all the expressions of love and chocolate everywhere leading up to it.  And speaking of things I love - I'm a big fan of small-batch baking and while I often just scale down recipes/divide them in half, I adore so many of Christina's recipes from her books and her blog, Dessert for Two! I've made many of her recipes - both sweet and savory, often on repeat. So I was eager to dig into her latest book, and it didn't disappoint.  It's got all the straight-forward, simple recipes for small-batch baking that I've come to love.  
So despite our tummies being sufficiently filled with chocolates and biscuits (and with more standing by in our cupboards), I made room for these cookies, which are seriously easy and fast to make.  Follow the recipe exactly and you only need 6 ingredients (Nutella/chocolate-hazelnut spread, sugar, egg, flour, chocolate chips, and salt for sprinkling), a few minutes to mix everything up, and 10 minutes in the oven. I had time to "complicate" matters slightly...
I decided to add some chopped toasted hazelnuts into the dough along with the chocolate chips (I used miniature ones).  I always keep a jar of mixed nuts in the kitchen to snack on everyday so I just went and pilfered some of the hazelnuts for these cookies (I was in the mood for some extra texture and I think nuts help balance the sweetness).  Instead of all-purpose flour, I used white whole wheat flour (these cookies are so moist, they can take it) and rather than sprinkling the baked cookies with sea salt on top, I added a pinch into the dough. 
In a flash - I had 6 fudgy, moist, chocolate-hazelnut cookies on my counter. They are chewy and sticky (my husband likened it to marzipan), and on the sweet side so the hazelnuts were a welcome addition of texture and flavor as a bit of a contrast. Because these cookies are so fudgy in the center (thanks to the chocolate-hazelnut spread), you might want to be a little patient and allow the cookies to cool and firm up fully before removing them from the baking sheet.  
My husband brought home some sweet strawberries for me on Valentine's night (incidentally, I took a few and dipped them in dark chocolate; they were so good and easy to do, making me wonder why I'd never done it before!).  And so I thought a few strawberries with one or two of these cookies would make a well-balanced snack/dessert.  I hope you agree.

I don't know about you but I find a recipe that hardly requires any advance planning, that you can mix together in a bowl without any special equipment, and be done in a flash, to be hard to resist.  If such a recipe involves chocolate and/or cookies, I'll surely be in the kitchen.
You really can make these cookies in a flash.  Place chocolate hazelnut spread, sugar, and an egg into a bowl and start mixing it together with a sturdy spatula or spoon. Next, I added white whole wheat flour with a pinch of salt, stirring until almost combined.  Then finally, I stirred in mini chocolate chips and a slightly smaller amount of chopped toasted hazelnuts (the nuts are my optional addition; I think it works really well here but if you can certainly omit it).
Scoop the cookies into 6 mounds.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. They should be set but will be soft to the touch.
I let the cookies cool on the baking sheet on top of a wire rack until firm enough to remove.  You know what to do next...eat!  Or set them aside to share with your loved ones, preferably both.
These were both easy and fun to make and eat - great paired with a strong cup of tea or coffee.  It will appeal to those with a sweet tooth who like a moist and chewy cookie.  

I must admit that I also saw David Lebovitz post some very tempting chocolate-chocolate chip cookies that I am eager to make now as well!  It's a good thing we have so much room in our hearts and tummies for chocolate cookies!  Again, I hope you agree.


Recipe

Easy Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies 
Adapted from Sweet & Simple: Dessert for Two by Christina Lane

- Makes 6 cookies - 


1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips
Scant 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped into similar size as mini chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.

Place chocolate hazelnut spread, sugar, and egg together in a medium-bowl and stir together with a spoon or sturdy rubber spatula (do not use a mixer).  Add flour and salt, stirring until almost incorporated.  Mix in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts (if using) until just combined.  

Scoop out six mounds of cookie dough onto the baking sheet, evenly spaced apart.

Bake for 10 minutes.  The cookies will be set but still soft.  Let cookies cool on the baking sheet set on top of a wire rack until set.  Remove from baking sheet onto a wire rack.  Enjoy at your leisure!



28 comments:

  1. Easy baking recipes like this are the best!

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    1. So true...not only is it about the eating, recipes like these give you that baking "fix" you crave sometimes.

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  2. We always make room for chocolate :) The texture of these cookies looks wonderful. I can only imagine how delicious they must be. I just happen to have leftover Nutella from another recipe - so tempting!

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    1. It's amazing how much chocolate we go through here! I better not think too much about it. : ) These are just fun to make...you know when you just want to go into the kitchen and bake something simple. I get that feeling all the time.

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  3. These chocolate cookies look almost like brownie..must be very delicious with hazelnuts and chocolate spread.

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    1. The hazelnut chocolate spread give them the texture of fudge almost. : )

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  4. These cookies look SO fudgy and delicious! I love that they make a small batch, just the perfect amount for our family, as well! I can just imagine how amazing they taste especially with the strawberries your husband brought home for you. So sweet! :)

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    1. They really do have a fudge-like texture to them...very chewy and super moist. I'm glad I went with the whole wheat flour. : ) And I never thought I'd be as excited to get strawberries as I am to get chocolates (almost...) for Valentine's Day. haha

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  5. Yum! These sound so rich and decadent. I’m not sure I’ve ever used hazelnuts before. Do you mean nutella?

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    1. These cookies are made with chocolate hazelnut spread/Nutella and I also chop up toasted hazelnuts to add into the cookies. Definitely a fudgy, rich, sweet experience. Six is enough. haha

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  6. Oh these sound sooo good! And huge plus for a small batch - I eat any treats sitting around too fast! :) haha Happy weekend Monica!!

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    1. I bet your self control is better than mine, Ashley! ; ) These were so sweet and rich - 6 was a great number. All gone now... haha

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  7. Anything chocoalte is droolicious in my dictionary. So I can tell I can swap my lunch for these fantastic chocolatey cookies.

    Anu
    http://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/

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    1. And so easy to make - definitely another plus.

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  8. Hi Monica, these cookies sound right up my alley, I am always looking for recipes that have been paired down as it is just my husbasnd and I unless we have vistors, 6 is a perfect amount. And strawberries and chocolate is such a fantastic flavor combo, I bet your berries were fabulous, love simple and sweet. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. I hear you - the small batch baking and Christina's recipes are great. Not only does it fit our small immediate family but it's nice to have an excuse to bake/cook more frequently and try other things. Have a great one!

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  9. Hello Monica! I love your recipes (in addition to the pictures and the story of your day/weekend) because each time you put your personal touch. You adapt the recipes to your taste or your inspiration. I LIKE that. I wish you a happy weekend. Huge hugs.
    Oh, that jar of tulips is gorgeous :)

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    1. You are so kind, my friend. I don't always have the inspiration (or energy, or natural inclination) to be creative so honestly, I'm mostly just trying recipes as written. Once in a while, I make a little twist. I'm glad you like it and thank you again for the kind words. They make me smile. : ) Have a great weekend. Enjoy your leisurely Saturday routine!!

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  10. i really like the chocolate hazelnut cookies from joanne chang's 1st flour bakery cookbook, but they are a little time-intensive. these sound easier but just as tasty (:

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    1. Would that be the hazelnut choc chip cookies? I've made those and I remember them fondly but as you said, they involve more work so I haven't made them in ages. So very good though! These are different but so fun and easy for when you want just that. Thanks!

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  11. I"m so glad you wrote about this cookbook - I love the idea of small batch desserts. I'll be sure to check it out!

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    1. This is her 3rd cookbook. They are really great - simple and to the point, small portions - perfect for those looking for just that.

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  12. I love the idea of easy and simple and soft cookies...these sure look great Monica...thanks for sharing the recipe!
    Have a wonderful week ahead :)

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  13. A recipe that only makes six cookies, perfect for just my husband and I.

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    1. Yes and they keep well for a couple of days easy. It's great because then you can easily move on to making the next (small) batch of cookies. : )

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  14. I always appreciate a nice small batch recipe (: Chopped toasted hazelnuts is a brilliant idea, and the fudgy center sounds amazing.

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    1. Hi Monica!! Lovely to see you pop up. These were fun and easy...great for busy people like you to whip up when the baking itch strikes. : ) Hope all is great with you! Take care now!

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