Christmas Cookies

The holiday season brings the joy of decorating, gift-giving, and of course, delightful baking. One of the most beloved treats during this time is Christmas cookies. With their rich flavors and mouthwatering textures, these cookies evoke the spirit of giving and warmth. Imagine biting into a sweet, chocolatey morsel, with a crunchy hazelnut surprise inside—it’s pure bliss! Let’s make some memorable cookies this season that will surely impress friends and family.

Gather Your Christmas Cookies Ingredients

To create these irresistible treats, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

200 g chocolate hazelnut wafers (about 7 oz)
3 tablespoons liquid chocolate
16 whole hazelnuts
20 g butter (about 1.5 tablespoons)
100 g milk chocolate (for glazing, about 3.5 oz)
20 g butter (for glazing, about 1.5 tablespoons)
50 g toasted and chopped hazelnuts (about 1.75 oz)

Step-by-Step Christmas Cookies Recipe

Making these cookies is a fun and straightforward process! Just follow these steps:

Crush the Wafers: Start by crushing the chocolate hazelnut wafers in a food processor until you achieve a fine powder. This will be the foundation of your cookie mixture.
Mix the Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the wafer powder with liquid chocolate and melted butter. Stir until you have a sticky mixture that holds together well.
Form the Balls: Take small amounts of the mixture and form balls. Press a whole hazelnut into the center of each ball, then reshape them back into a ball to seal the hazelnut inside.
Chill the Mixture: Place the balls in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow them to firm up. This step is essential for getting that perfect shape!
Melt the Chocolate: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the milk chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth. Let it cool slightly to ensure it doesn’t melt the cookies when you dip them.
Dip and Decorate: Remove the chilled balls from the fridge and dip them in the melted chocolate. After dipping, sprinkle some of the chopped, toasted hazelnuts on top. For a thicker coating, dip the balls in the chocolate glaze once more.
Set the Glaze: Return the cookies to the fridge for 15-20 minutes, allowing the chocolate glaze to set completely.

How to Serve Christmas Cookies

Once your cookies are ready, the excitement doesn’t end there! Here are some delightful ways to serve them:

Plating: Arrange the cookies on a festive platter. You can use a decorative plate or a simple serving dish to showcase their shiny glaze and crunchy topping.
Pairing Ideas: Consider pairing these cookies with warm beverages like hot cocoa or spiced holiday tea for a cozy treat. A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside makes for a fabulous dessert!
Gift Ideas: These cookies make lovely homemade gifts. Package them in a pretty tin or a clear bag with a ribbon for a sweet present during the holiday season.

Expert Tips for Christmas Cookies

Here are a few tips to take your cookie-making skills to the next level:

Texture Matters: For an extra crunch, toast the hazelnuts before chopping them. This enhances their flavor and adds a nice bite.
Coating Choices: Feel free to experiment with other types of chocolate for glazing. Dark chocolate can give a rich, intense flavor that balances beautifully with sweetness.
Mix-ins: Want to add your twist? Consider incorporating a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavors or a dash of vanilla extract for a lovely aroma.

Christmas Cookies FAQs

Can I use other nuts instead of hazelnuts?
Absolutely! If you have allergies or just prefer something else, walnuts or almonds would also work well in this recipe.

How long do these cookies last?
When stored in an airtight container, these cookies can last about a week. However, they’re so delicious, they might not last that long!

Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the unchilled cookie balls. Just make sure to wrap them properly and thaw them in the fridge before you dip them in chocolate.

The holidays are a perfect time to bake and spread joy, and these Christmas cookies do just that. Their chocolatey goodness and crunchy hazelnut center are sure to bring smiles to everyone who tries them. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy creating these delightful treats with your loved ones!

Christmas Cookies

Delightful chocolate hazelnut cookies with a creamy chocolate glaze, perfect for the holiday season.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 40

Servings: 12 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 150

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Cookie Mixture

200 g chocolate hazelnut wafers about 7 oz
3 tablespoons liquid chocolate
16 whole hazelnuts
20 g butter for the cookie mixture (about 1.5 tablespoons)

For the Glaze

100 g milk chocolate for glazing (about 3.5 oz)
20 g butter for glazing (about 1.5 tablespoons)
50 g toasted and chopped hazelnuts for decoration (about 1.75 oz)

Method

Preparation

Crush the chocolate hazelnut wafers in a food processor until you achieve a fine powder.
In a mixing bowl, combine the wafer powder with liquid chocolate and melted butter. Stir to form a sticky mixture.
Take small amounts of the mixture and form balls. Press a whole hazelnut into the center of each, then shape back into a ball.
Place the balls in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.
Melt milk chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Let it cool slightly.

Glazing

Remove the chilled balls from the fridge and dip them in the melted chocolate.
Sprinkle chopped, toasted hazelnuts on top. For a thicker coating, dip in chocolate again.
Return cookies to the fridge for 15-20 minutes to allow glaze to set completely.

Notes

Toast hazelnuts before chopping for added crunch. Experiment with dark chocolate for richer flavor. Adding a pinch of sea salt or vanilla extract can enhance taste.