Hey, who says it has to be an ACTUAL animal?
My nephew is visiting, and he also happens to be a big fan of Nutella. As in, when I asked my sister what he likes to eat before his visit, she said, "just have some Nutella on hand." AS IF I didn't already have that covered.
Anyhoo, Mac and I had the day to ourselves today until Jack got home at 2. I had a long list of things we could do. We ate waffles for breakfast, went to the library, the mall, the LEGO store, the candy store, Jack's school, and Chick-Fil-A. We were home before noon.
{I'd forgotten that 8-year-old boys are not for doing things leisurely.}
What to do? Make cookies, of course! Nutella cookies!
These cookies. Oh MY goodness. Nutella flavor shines through and through, with mini chocolate chips and cocoa powder boosting the chocolate flavor. They're slightly crumbly, but not crunchy.
{hello, my love.}
Mr. E just suggested that they would be perfect for ice cream cookie sandwiches. I concur. (Although, we did have a little disagreement about the ice cream flavor. Me: coffee. Him: french vanilla.)
Let me tell you what else you NEED to do with these cookies...
Oh yeah. You have to sandwich some with Nutella. Because, hellooooo, Nutella.
For measuring the shortening and Nutella, I LOVE this type of measuring cup. This one is from Pampered Chef, but you can find them at Sur la Table, Amazon, etc. They're great!
Nutella lovers, this one's for you.
Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies
{makes about 32 cookies}
2 & 1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup Nutella
1 & 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 & 1/4 cups mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment.
Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
In a bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, shortening, Nutella, and light brown until completely combined and lighter in color. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
On low speed, mix in the flour mixture in 3 additions until just combined. Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to dollop the dough onto the prepared sheets. Bake the cookies for 15 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
If you love Nutella like Mac and I do, be sure to check out the recipe for Chocolate Hazelnut Cut-Out Cookies in Decorating Cookies. Then your decorated cookies will be filled with Nutella goodness, too!
Please pass the Nutella.
