ITALIAN CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT COOKIES

Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies image

These cookies have a rich shortbread taste.

Provided by MARBALET

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons instant espresso powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅔ cup hazelnuts - toasted, skinned and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons hot water
2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Blend flour, brown sugar, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon espresso powder and salt in a food processor. Add butter and vanilla. Using the pulse cycle-or pressing on/off button on your food processor, process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add nuts; blend until finely chopped. Transfer dough to floured work surface. Knead just until dough comes together.
Divide dough in half. Press each half into 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until deep golden brown, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool for 2 minutes then remove sides of pan. Cut each shortbread round into 24 wedges. Cool completely.
Mix 2 tablespoons hot water and remaining 1 teaspoon espresso powder in small saucepan. Add chocolate. Stir over medium-low heat until chocolate is smooth. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Drizzle chocolate mixture over cookies. Let stand until chocolate sets.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180.5 calories, Carbohydrate 19.9 g, Cholesterol 20.3 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 1.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 76.7 mg, Sugar 10.3 g