Hazelnut Ganache Thumbprint Cookies Recipes

MATCHA THUMBPRINT COOKIES WITH CHOCOLATE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer and bake until lightly toasted, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
• Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, matcha and salt in a bowl.
• Beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and egg yolk. Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, beating after each until just incorporated. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and make sure the dough is evenly mixed.
• Roll the dough into about thirty-two 1-inch balls, making them as smooth and even as you can, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Use the back of a round teaspoon measuring spoon to flatten the cookies and make an indentation in the center of each ball (rearrange the cookies as necessary so that they fit; they don't spread out too much, so about 1/2 inch of space between them is sufficient). If making the indentation causes a large crack, repair the crack with your fingers or re-roll the cookie and try again. Refrigerate the cookies until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Bake the cookies until the undersides are light golden brown and the tops puffed and set, about 11 minutes. Remove the cookies and use the teaspoon measuring spoon to re-make the indentations that have puffed up during baking. Bake the cookies for 1 minute more, then cool on the baking sheet.
• For the chocolate filling: Put the chocolate chips in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Put the cream, butter and corn syrup in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until steaming hot. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate chips and let stand 5 minutes, then stir the mixture with a rubber spatula until smooth. If the chocolate chips do not completely melt, microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted and smooth.
• Spoon about 1 teaspoon of chocolate into the well of each cookie, then lightly press a toasted walnut half into each. Let stand until the chocolate sets.

GANACHE THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll in crushed candies, if using. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing each 1 inch apart.
• Press a well into the center of each using your finger. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes. Remove from oven, and press well again with handle end of a wooden spoon. Bake until firm, 7 to 9 minutes more.
• Let cool completely. Spoon ganache into thumbprints.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese, melted chocolate chips and Nutella until blended. Stir in cracker crumbs. Refrigerate until firm enough to roll, about 30 minutes., Shape mixture into 1-in. balls; roll in chopped hazelnuts. Make an indentation in the center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Fill with a hazelnut. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, yolk and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, cocoa and salt; add a third at a time to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in nuts. , Roll dough into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make a 1/2-in.-deep indentation in the center of each ball; fill with 1/4 teaspoon of preserves. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool. Just a before serving, lightly dust with confectioners' sugar.

NUTELLA® THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, flour, melted butter and egg with spoon until soft dough forms.
• Shape into 50 (3/4-inch) balls. In small bowl, beat egg whites lightly with fork. Place nuts in another small bowl. Dip each ball into egg white, then roll in nuts. On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls 1 inch apart.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheets. Using end of wooden spoon, make indentation in center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• When ready to serve, spoon hazelnut chocolate spread into small resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag. Cut off small corner of bag; insert cut corner of bag into indentation in each cookie. Squeeze bag to fill opening, about 1/2 teaspoon per cookie. Sprinkle with nonpareils.
• Store covered in airtight container at room temperature in single layer.

GANACHE FOR THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Pour gently simmered cream over chocolate. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let stand until mixture is spoonable, about 15 minutes.