Hazelnut-Espresso Sandwich Cookies

Submitted by Breezytoo

"From the pages of Taste of Home, submitted by Cindy Beberman, these are a wonderfully crisp little cookie with a rich filling sure to please if you're a coffee/hazelnut/chocolate lover! I easily halved the batch and got 30 cookies! To save time, I made the filling before the cookies because it does take awhile to set up and saves time in the long run! *I've made these again since first posting and used Land O Lakes fat free half and half in place of the whipping cream to cut some of the fat/calories/cholesterol a bit and it works just as well without compromising the taste!"

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 40mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 3 dozen

ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1⁄4 cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 4 teaspoons instant espresso granules
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup finely ground hazelnuts

• FILLING

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 1⁄4 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 3⁄4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided

directions

1. In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, yolk, espresso granules and vanilla.
2. Combine flour, salt and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture mixing well. Stir in hazelnuts.
3. Divide dough into thirds; flatten each portion into a circle. Wrap each in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with a floured 1 1/2 inch cookie cutter; place 1/2 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
5. Bake at 375* for 6-8 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
6. FOR FILLING: in small saucepan, bring cream to boil. Remove from heat; stir in milk chocolate chips and 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips until melted. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours or until filling reaches spreading consistency, stirring occasionally.
7. Spread filling over the bottom of half of the cookies; top with remaining cookies. Melt remaining semisweet chocolate chips; drizzle over cookies.
8. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.

Reviews

[Sonya S.]

These are WONDERFUL!!! I made them for my husband, who likes hazelnut desserts (I don't), and was surprised that I loved these too. The cookie part is sort of soft, nutty, so delicious with the espresso powder; the ganache is amazing, together they are just REALLY REALLY GOOD! I found the recipe in my Cook's Country December/January 2014 issue, where this was a finalist in their Christmas Cookie Contest, and it looks like it took first place in several other contests too. Highly recommended!!! PS If you have that magazine issue, the winning Dulce de Leche and Cinnamon Sandwich Cookies were also amazing. I tried all the others (7 cookie recipes) and these two were our favorites!

 

[crescendogal]

OMStars!!! These are so yummy!!! I made them up for my christmas goodie trays. The man said they didn't need the extra drizzle on top because they are so rich! I used my son's tiny christmas shaped cookie cutters and wound up with more than 6 dozen!!!

 

[Merlot]

Oh my......these are sinfully delicious!!! Espresso, hazelnuts and chocolate...it just doesn't get any better than this. I highly recommend this cookie to everyone. Thanks again for ANOTHER great recipe, BreezyToo.

 

[Rev.CCJ]

Very Very good cookies...OH my! I halved the recipe. And I just added 4 teaspoons of hazlenut coffee as opposed to espresso granules and hazlenut. Lots of work but worth it. Plus I like that they are soft.

 

[Deepfreeze-27]

These cookies took a bit of effort but were they ever worth it! I can hardly keep my husband's hands out of the cookie jar! I served these on my Christmas tray & they were loved by all. Will definitely 'make again'.