Italian Chocolate Cookies

Rich, chewy, and utterly decadent, these Italian Chocolate Cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream come true. With a perfect balance of crunchy hazelnuts and velvety chocolate chips, these treats are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Set aside.

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Stir in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts.

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.

Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: 7 cookies.

Notes

Use room temperature butter for the best results, as it will help to create a tender and chewy cookie.

Don’t overmix the dough, as this will lead to a tough cookie.

Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients come together.

If you want a crisper cookie, bake for 14 minutes.

If you prefer a chewier cookie, bake for 12 minutes.

Hazelnuts can be omitted if you’re not a fan, but they add a nice texture and flavor contrast to the cookies.

These cookies freeze beautifully, so consider freezing some of the dough for a quick dessert in the future.

Simply thaw the desired number of cookies at room temperature or bake frozen cookies for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 220
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 150mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 28g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 18g
• Protein: 2g