Creative Cooking with Southern Flair!
Bakers Dozen
Cherry Hazelnut Cookies
"Sweet-tart dried cherries and toasted hazelnuts come together in these rich, buttery cookies with crisp golden edges and a soft, chewy center. Every bite delivers the perfect balance of bright fruit, warm roasted hazelnuts, and homemade flavor, creating a cookie that's both distinctive and unforgettable"
Prep Time: 15 min
Active Cooking Time: 15 min
Inactive Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 min
Serves: 13
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
• ¾ cup (150g) lightly packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 sticks minus 4 tablespoons (12 tablespoons / 6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 ½ tablespoons beaten egg (about 1 ½ large eggs), room temperature
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups plus 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt (3/8 teaspoon total)
• 1/8 teaspoon plus 1/16 teaspoon baking powder (3/16 teaspoon total)
Mix-ins
• ½ cup chopped tart dried cherries
• ½ cup toasted chopped hazelnuts
Directions:
Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, cream brown sugar, white sugar, and butter until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder.
Step 3: Combine and Fold
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Mix until just combined.
Fold in chopped cherries and hazelnuts.
Step 4: Portion and Chill
Use a 3-tablespoon level scoop to portion the dough.
Roll each portion into a ball and place on a large parchment-lined baking sheet (you should have 13 cookies).
Chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour before baking.
Step 5: Bake and Finish
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) with the oven rack in the middle upper position.
Bake at 350°F for 15–16 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are set.
Remove from oven and drop the pan on the counter 2–3 times to help the cookies develop a thick, chewy texture.
Let cool on the baking sheet before serving.
Tip for storing cookies!
Avoid airtight containers! An airtight seal traps moisture, which softens the cookies. Your best bet is a standard cookie jar or a loosely closed bag. That will help keep the cookies' edges crisp.