Irresistibly Nutty and Chewy: The Ultimate Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies Recipe

Prepare to fall in love with these delightful chocolate hazelnut cookies! Each bite offers a harmonious blend of rich chocolate and toasted hazelnut, delivering a perfect symphony of textures: wonderfully nutty, satisfyingly crispy at the edges, and lusciously chewy in the middle. The secret to their incredible texture and deep flavor lies in an overnight chill, a crucial step that transforms simple cookie dough into something truly extraordinary.

Golden brown chocolate hazelnut cookies with visible chocolate chunks and hazelnut pieces.

A Perfect Treat for Any Occasion: From Picnics to Cozy Evenings

Life in the city often calls for creative solutions to enjoy the simple pleasures, like dining al fresco. For us in Chicago, our back deck furniture has seen better days, having bravely endured countless harsh winters. It’s looking quite weathered, and replacing it is high on our priority list. Until then, we embrace the abundance of beautiful parks nearby. Whenever the urge strikes for an outdoor meal, we pack up a charming spread and head out for an impromptu picnic in the neighborhood.

My go-to picnic basket usually includes a selection of fine cheeses, a variety of cured meats, and an assortment of artisanal crackers. But no picnic, or any meal for that matter, is truly complete without a delightful dessert. While it’s tempting to just grab a gourmet candy bar from our favorite corner market, there’s immense satisfaction in bringing something homemade. That’s exactly why these chocolate hazelnut cookies have become a beloved staple.

What makes these cookies stand out is the ingenious use of hazelnuts. The recipe calls for a dual approach: roughly chopped hazelnuts provide bursts of intense nuttiness and textural contrast, while finely ground hazelnuts are incorporated directly into the dough, infusing every crumb with a delicate, earthy flavor. This thoughtful combination results in cookies that are deeply nutty, with that desirable crispness around the edges and a wonderfully soft, chewy center. It’s a combination that truly elevates them beyond your average cookie.

Next time we decide to spread a blanket under the open sky and enjoy the urban greenery, you can be sure a batch of these exquisite chocolate hazelnut cookies will be nestled securely in our picnic basket. They’re not just a dessert; they’re a little piece of homemade comfort, perfect for sharing and creating lasting memories.

The Magic of Hazelnuts in Baking

Hazelnuts, with their distinctive sweet, buttery, and slightly earthy flavor, are a star ingredient in many beloved desserts, and these chocolate hazelnut cookies are no exception. Beyond their delicious taste, hazelnuts offer a unique texture that adds complexity and depth to baked goods. Toasting blanched hazelnuts before incorporating them into the dough is a critical step. This process intensifies their flavor, making them more aromatic and nutty, which is essential for achieving that irresistible hazelnut essence in the cookies.

The recipe cleverly uses hazelnuts in two forms: finely ground and roughly chopped. The finely ground hazelnuts blend seamlessly into the dough, contributing to its rich flavor profile and creating a tender crumb. Meanwhile, the roughly chopped pieces offer delightful pockets of crunch and chewiness throughout the cookie. This dual application ensures that every bite is bursting with hazelnut goodness and provides an engaging textural experience that sets these cookies apart.

Why Overnight Chilling is Non-Negotiable for Perfect Cookies

While the prospect of immediate cookie gratification is strong, resisting the urge and chilling this cookie dough overnight is perhaps the most important step for achieving superior results. This extended chilling period, often overlooked by home bakers, works wonders in several ways:

Flavor Development: Just like a fine wine or stew, cookie dough benefits immensely from time. Chilling allows the flour to fully hydrate, preventing a “floury” taste and leading to a more cohesive and tender cookie. It also gives the flavors of the butter, sugar, chocolate, and hazelnuts more time to meld and deepen, resulting in a more complex and robust taste.
Texture Enhancement: Cold dough spreads less in the oven, leading to thicker cookies with those coveted crispy edges and chewy centers. The fat in the butter solidifies, which slows down its melting process during baking. This allows the cookie to set its structure before spreading too much.
Better Baking Consistency: Chilled dough is much easier to handle and scoop. It also ensures more even baking, as the cookies maintain their shape better and don’t collapse into flat, greasy discs.

So, while it requires patience, the overnight chill is a small investment of time that yields immense returns in flavor, texture, and overall cookie perfection.

More Irresistible Cookie Recipes to Explore

If you’re a fan of homemade cookies, you’ll love exploring these other delightful recipes:

Crispy M&M Cookies
Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Blood Orange Icebox Cookies
Cinnamon Owl Shortbread Cookies
Brookies (A delicious blend of brownies and cookies!)
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

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By Paige Adams

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 35 mins

Chilling Time: 8 hrs

Total: 8 hrs 50 mins

Servings: 20 cookies

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These chocolate hazelnut cookies are nutty, crispy at the edges and a bit chewy in the middle. Make sure to chill the dough overnight before baking.

Ingredients

▢ 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature
▢ 2/3 cup granulated sugar
▢ 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1-1/2 cups blanched hazelnuts toasted
▢ 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
▢ 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 12 ounces milk chocolate roughly chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

Instructions

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.
Place 1/2 cup hazelnuts in a food processor and pulse into a fine powder. Roughly chop the remaining hazelnuts. In a medium bowl, combine the ground and chopped hazelnuts, flour, baking soda, salt and chocolate.
With the mixer on low, gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Transfer the dough to an airtight container and chill in the fridge overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1/4-cup-sized balls and place on the prepared sheet pan about 2 inches apart. Press down the dough balls slightly with your hand. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown, crisp at the edges, but still soft in the middle. Cool on the sheet pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for longer enjoyment.

Notes

Adapted from Flour by Joanne Chang

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Cookies & Bars

Cuisine: American

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Baking Tips for Ultimate Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Success

Achieving the perfect chocolate hazelnut cookie is simple with a few key considerations:

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly with the sugars, creating an emulsified base that holds air, resulting in a lighter and more tender cookie.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough cookies.
Quality Chocolate Matters: The type of milk chocolate you use significantly impacts the flavor. Opt for a good quality bar chocolate and chop it yourself rather than using chocolate chips, as chopped chocolate melts more smoothly and creates gooey pockets.
Toasting Hazelnuts: Don’t skip toasting the hazelnuts! This step brings out their full flavor and aroma, making the cookies even more delicious. Once toasted, rub them in a clean towel to remove any loose skins for a cleaner taste.
Even Scooping: Use a 1/4-cup cookie scoop or measuring cup to ensure each cookie is roughly the same size. This promotes even baking across the batch.
Don’t Overbake: For that perfect crispy edge and chewy middle, keep a close eye on your cookies. They should be golden brown around the edges but still look slightly soft in the center when you pull them from the oven. They will continue to set as they cool.
Cooling Process: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking when moved.

Delicious Variations to Try

While the classic chocolate hazelnut combination is sublime, don’t hesitate to get creative:

Dark Chocolate Delight: For a richer, less sweet cookie, substitute milk chocolate with high-quality dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate.
White Chocolate & Cranberry: Add a festive twist by using white chocolate chunks and dried cranberries.
Espresso Boost: A teaspoon of instant espresso powder mixed into the dry ingredients will enhance the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.
Sea Salt Finish: Sprinkle a touch of flaky sea salt on top of the cookie dough balls before baking to create a delightful sweet and salty contrast.
Nutty Substitutions: While hazelnuts are fantastic, you could experiment with other nuts like pecans or walnuts for a different flavor profile.

Storing Your Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

Proper storage ensures your delicious cookies stay fresh and flavorful:

Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For best results, place a slice of bread in the container to help keep them soft.
Freezing Baked Cookies: For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave.
Freezing Dough: You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls. Roll the dough into balls, then freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Concluding Thoughts on These Hazelnut Delights

These chocolate hazelnut cookies are more than just a dessert; they are a delightful experience from start to finish. From the satisfying process of combining high-quality ingredients to the anticipation of the overnight chill, and finally, to the rewarding moment of biting into a warm, perfectly baked cookie, every step is a pleasure. Their rich, nutty flavor and comforting texture make them ideal for sharing with loved ones on a picnic, enjoying with a cup of coffee, or simply treating yourself after a long day.

Embrace the joy of baking and discover how these simple yet sophisticated cookies can bring a touch of homemade magic to your table. Happy baking!