Description

These cookies turned me into a slice and bake cookies enthusiast. With brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla they are a true winner! A floured surface is key to help you handle the cookie dough when rolling into logs. The logs of cookie dough must be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or even up to a few days (or even frozen!) so it’s really easy to just take them out when you need them, slice, and bake them.

Ingredients

3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
2/3 cup (133g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (120g) toasted and finely chopped hazelnuts, divided*
optional: coarse sugar for rolling
8 ounces (226g) milk chocolate, coarsely chopped*

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Instructions

In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar and beat on medium high speed until fluffy and creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract on high speed. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed, and continue to beat until fully combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cinnamon, and salt together until combined. On low speed, slowly mix into the wet ingredients until combined. The cookie dough will be thick and slightly sticky. Switch to high speed and beat in 3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and, with floured hands, divide into two. Shape each half into an 8-inch log, about 2.5 inches in diameter. The measurements don’t have to be exact. Tightly wrap the logs in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 5 days. Chilling is mandatory for this cookie dough. I always chill mine overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (Always recommended for cookies.) Set aside.
Remove logs from the refrigerator and roll into coarse sugar, if desired. It’s really only for added crunch and a little sparkle! Slice each log into 12 equally thick cookies and place cookies on baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes or until brown around the edges. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
Melt the chopped milk chocolate in a double boiler or (carefully!) use the microwave. For the microwave, place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Melt in 15 second increments, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Dip each completely cooled cookie halfway into the chocolate and place onto a parchment or silicone baking mat-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining chopped hazelnuts. Place the baking sheet into the refrigerator to help the chocolate set. Once set, enjoy!

Notes

Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Baked and chocolate-dipped cookies freeze well—up to three months. Or you can freeze them without the chocolate and dip/decorate after they thaw out. Cookie dough logs freeze well too, up to three months. Allow the logs to thaw overnight in the refrigerator then continue with step 3.
Special Tools (affiliate links): Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk | Baking Sheets | Silicone Baking Mats or Parchment Paper | Coarse Sugar (optional) | Cooling Rack | Double Boiler (optional for melting chocolate)
Hazelnuts: I simply use pre-chopped Diamond of California hazelnuts found in the baking aisle. Then, I toast them for 8-10 minutes at 300°F (149°C). Let them slightly cool. Then, I put them into the food processor and pulse a few times to really chop them up fine. You want small pieces of nuts. See photo in this post for a visual. You can also use walnuts or almonds.
Chocolate: Make sure you are using quality, pure chocolate. Not chocolate chips. You can also use bittersweet chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or white chocolate instead. Or no chocolate at all!