Nutella Thumbprint Cookies

Circle B Kitchen

Because Nutella is not quite as sweet as jam, these are not super sweet cookies. That may be one reason we loved them so much. But if you like yours a little sweeter, just add 2 or 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar to the nutella.

Adapted from a recipe by Joy of Baking

Makes about 20 cookies

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter, room, temperature

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, separated

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all purpose flour

1/8 tsp salt

3/4 cup toasted hazelnuts

1/2 cup Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread

Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast in a 375 degree oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant. When they've cooled, place them in a food processor and process until finely chopped. You can also do this by hand; just be sure to get them chopped pretty fine. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the flour mixture to the batter and beat just until combined. If the batter is too soft to roll into balls, refrigerate for about 30-60 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk the egg white until frothy. Place the finely chopped nuts on a plate. Roll the dough into 1 inch (2.5 cm) balls. Taking one ball of dough at a time, dip first into the egg white and then lightly roll in the nuts. Place on the prepared baking sheet spacing about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Using your thumb or end of a wooden spoon, make an indentation into the center of each cookie.

Bake for about 12 -15 minutes, or until cookies are set and the nuts have nicely browned. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. (if the thumbprints have puffed up during baking, use your thumb to press them back in before they cool).

Place the Nutella in a small ziplock bag and snip off a tiny corner end. Squeeze a teaspoon or two of the Nutella into each cookie. Enjoy!