Hazelnut ( Nutella) Crinkle Cookies- World Nutella Day

"Chocolate, thick and oh so sweet

From a spoon, it's you I eat,

You look so good, taste so nice

I'd even eat you on fried rice"

by NinjaGirl

I was not planning on baking this recipe today. However, I forgot it was "WORLD NUTELLA DAY! " I have been saving this recipe for just the right occasion, and thanfully it would be today:).

I have seen so many posts( lately) on chocolate fudge crinkle cookies They are very popular on many blogs. This is why I am excited to share this one with you . It is a fantastic variation on the classic. AND since we ALL love Nutella..how could this be a miss???

Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso solemnly declare Saturday, February 5th “World Nutella Day 2011″ – a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella.


 Nutella Crinkle Cookies-adapted from Better Home and Gardens 1995

Ingredients

3 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cocoa powder ( optional)

11 oz Nutella Spread  ( one jar-however, my jar was 13 oz) 

1/4 cup butter or shortening  ( i  I used unsalted  butter)

1 1/3 cups granulated white sugar

1 teaspoon Frangelico liquor or vanilla

2 large eggs

1/3 cup milk ( if using butter use 1/6 cup-this why I love metric recipes!)

1/2 cup to 1 cup toasted and chopped Hazelnuts

Procedure

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F 

Prepare a thick bottom baking sheet- grease slightly with butter

Sift flour, salt ,baking powder and cocoa ( if using) . Reserve.

In a large mixing bowl cream butter or shortening with nutella spread. on medium speed until light. 

Add granulated sugar, beat until fluffy.

Add Frangelico,/vanilla  and eggs; beat until combined 

Alternate flour mixture to creamed mixture on medium speed,with milk. Blend until combined .

Stir in chopped nuts .

Cover and chill for several hours. ( I missed this step- and they still came out perfect ) 

Shape dough into 1- 2 inch balls . ( I used an ice cream scoop) 

Roll balls in finely chopped hazelnuts then into powdered sugar.  ( I did not roll mine in nuts)

Place the balls 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. ( they will spread and crinkle as they bake) 

Bake in over for @12-15 minutes  .

Cool cookies on wire rack.

Makes @ 40- 2 inch size cookies.

crinkled goodness

nutty inside goodness

Simple, and delicious.  I like them a little under baked.  No sweating involved. My favorite kind of recipe :) Proud to be 1/2 Italian . The only thing I do not like Nutella with is bananas. ( this is a classic combo, ..but for some reason it is too pasty for me..go figure..)

Ciao Bella!