Name: Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: PT-487905H38M
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup chocolate chips; ½ cup Nutella; 1 cup toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped; Optional: Crushed wafer cookies for topping

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are truly a chocolate lover’s dream. The combination of Nutella and toasted hazelnuts adds depth and richness, while the optional wafer topping provides an irresistible crunch. They’re simple to make yet incredibly flavorful and are sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. With the added bonus of being vegetarian, this recipe caters to a wide variety of dietary preferences!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips
½ cup Nutella
1 cup toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
Optional: Crushed wafer cookies for topping (such as vanilla wafer or chocolate wafer cookies)

Instructions

Prepare the dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, cream the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until fully combined. Be careful not to overmix to avoid tough cookies.
Add chocolate chips, Nutella, and hazelnuts: Stir in the chocolate chips, Nutella, and toasted hazelnuts. The Nutella should be swirled into the dough, giving the cookies a marbled look.
Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Chilling the dough will help prevent spreading during baking and allow the flavors to meld together.
Form the cookies: Once chilled, scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. If desired, gently press a small piece of wafer cookie on top of each dough ball for extra crunch.
Bake: Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are slightly soft. Keep an eye on them, as baking times may vary based on your oven.
Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

Yield: 24 cookies
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 9-11 minutes
Total time: 60 minutes

Recipe Notes

Room temperature butter: Ensure your butter is at room temperature for proper creaming to achieve light and fluffy dough.
Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can result in dense cookies, so mix until just combined.
Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spreading and allows the flavors to meld together.
Toast the hazelnuts: For enhanced flavor, toast the hazelnuts by spreading them on a baking sheet and baking at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant and the skins are starting to crack. Let them cool slightly, then rub them in a clean kitchen towel to remove the skins.
High-quality chocolate: Use high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor and texture in your cookies.
Adjust baking time: Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the cookies as they bake.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake them later for a fresh batch anytime.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different nut instead of hazelnuts?

Yes, you can use other nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans as substitutes for hazelnuts.

2. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make these cookies gluten-free, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

3. Can I skip the Nutella?

If you’re not a fan of Nutella or want a different flavor, you can substitute with peanut butter, almond butter, or a different spread of your choice.

4. Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies. For dough, scoop into balls and freeze them. For baked cookies, let them cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

5. How do I make the cookies extra crunchy?

To make these cookies extra crunchy, you can bake them for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning. You can also add more toasted nuts or use a crispier wafer topping.

6. Can I make these cookies without the chocolate chips?

Yes, you can omit the chocolate chips and have a hazelnut-only cookie, or replace the chocolate chips with other mix-ins like dried fruit or additional nuts.

7. How do I toast the hazelnuts?

To toast hazelnuts, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant and the skins start to crack. Let them cool slightly, then rub the skins off with a kitchen towel.

8. Can I add more Nutella to the dough?

You can add more Nutella for a richer flavor, but keep in mind that adding too much may affect the dough’s consistency, so you might need to adjust the dry ingredients accordingly.

9. Can I add a different type of chocolate?

Yes, feel free to use dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or a chopped chocolate bar for a different texture and flavor.

10. How long should I chill the dough?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour for the best results. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking and improves flavor.

Conclusion

These Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Cookies are a decadent, irresistible treat that combines the rich flavor of Nutella, toasted hazelnuts, and chocolate chips. Whether you’re enjoying them with a cup of coffee, serving them at a party, or gifting them to a friend, these cookies will quickly become a favorite. With the perfect balance of chewy, crunchy, and creamy, they’re truly the ultimate cookie recipe!