Nutty Nutella Cookie Sandwiches

Okay, so it seems like every blog I go to is posting healthy recipes, hearty soups, low-fat dishes, etc., and here I am with yet another not-so-low-fat cookie.  Well I do have an excuse.  Reeni from Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice, one of my favorite blogs, and Christine from The Cupcake Bandits, who also has a very nice blog that I have just been introduced to and am looking forward to reading, have created a new website called Dessert Wars.  Each month they have a theme ingredient and they are challenging bloggers to come up with a recipe using the theme ingredient.  The theme ingredient for January is Nutella.  They will pick a winner every month, with the winner winning some really great prizes, and a grand prize winner at the end of the year.  Though, there are many websites like this on the web.  This one really sounded like fun to me.  This is the first blog challenge I have ever participated in and the reason for my Nutty Nutella Cookie Sandwiches.  I just hope I am up to the challenge.

These cookies are really good.  The cookie is nutty, buttery, soft and chewy, almost shortbread-like. Then I sandwiched the two cookies together with a dollop of Nutella in between.  They pair perfectly together.  I mean what is not to love?  I was going to add some Nutella into the cookie itself, but I am glad I didn't because I think the cookie part might have over powered the Nutella center.  This way, you get just enough of the flavor of the Nutella.  These taste somewhere between a Pecan Sandie and a Milano cookie.

To get started, in the large bowl of your mixer, cream together on low 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 sticks of butter (softened) until mixed well.

Next, add one beaten egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix well.


Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix together 3 1/4 cups of cake flour, 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.


Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture on low until combined.  At this point, it will be very crumbly.

Add 1 stick of melted, cooled butter and 1 cup of powdered sugar and mix until well combined.

Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped walnuts or hazelnuts and mix.  If you do not want to use nuts, you could also use mini chocolate chips but you may want add more than 1/2 cup.


Take tiny pieces of the dough and roll them into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls.  Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and flatten them with you hands, and also round them out with your hands to give them a nice, circular shape.

Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes until the bottoms are light golden brown. These cookies stay fairly light-colored; so be sure not to over cook. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool.


When cookies are cooled, using a spatula spread about 1 teaspoonful of Nutella onto one cookie and top with a second cookie.

This is my entry to Dessert Wars January Nutella Challenge!

Nutty Nutella Cookie Sandwiches
(makes about 4 dozen cookie sandwiches)
printable recipe

1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of sugar
3 sticks of butter (2 softened, 1 melted)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon of vanilla
3 1/4 cups of cake flour
3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon of baking powder
3/4 teaspoon of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 Cup of powdered sugar
1/2 cup of walnuts or hazelnuts, finely chopped
1-1 1/2 cups of Nutella


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugars and 2 sticks of softened butter until combined.   Add egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix well.


Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture. Mix well.  The dough will be very crumbly at this point.  Add 1 stick of melted butter and powdered sugar.  Mix well.  Add nuts and mix well.


Take tiny pieces of dough and roll into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls.  Place on an ungreased cookie sheet two inches apart, flatten, and form into circles. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden brown. Remove from oven. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for one minute. Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool.


When cookies are cool, use a spatula to spread about 1 teaspoonful onto one cookie and top with a second cookie creating a cookie sandwich.  Enjoy!

These are the wonderful prizes for the Dessert Wars January challenge:

Whisk and cupcake neckace from Moon and Stars Designs
 

The Smartshopper Electronic Grocery List Organizer

Beanilla Sampler Pack of Vanilla Beans

Lenox Personalized Musical Cupcake

1,000 Ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies & Cakes

Endless Vanilla and Cinnamon Extract

Unlimited Layers: A Recipe for Turning Your Passion into Profits

$50 gift certificate to Theme Kitchen

$50 coupon redeemable for Organic Valley Products

$50 coupon redeemable for Organic Prairie Products

crepe pan by Beka