HAZELNUT-ESPRESSO SANDWICH COOKIES

Hazelnut-Espresso Sandwich Cookies image

The inspiration for this cute cookie came from my sister's description of a hazelnut cookie she tried in Italy. She declared my version to be a wonderful approximation. My family likes to help fill and trim them. -Cindy Beberman, Orland Park, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 large egg yolk, room temperature
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:
1-3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1-1/4 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the egg, yolk, espresso granules and vanilla. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in hazelnuts. , Divide dough into thirds; flatten each portion into a circle. Wrap separately; refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle., On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 1-1/2-in. cookie cutter; place 1/2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough; chill and reroll scraps. , Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. , For filling, place 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Refrigerate until filling reaches spreading consistency, about 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally., Spread filling over the bottoms of half of the cookies; top with remaining cookies. In a microwave, melt remaining 1 cup semisweet chips; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 214 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 35mg cholesterol, Sodium 85mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.