Hazelnut Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies were quite the reminder of why Nutella tastes so good!  Not that I eat Nutella, but Justin's also makes a killer chocolate hazelnut spread...with better ingredients...that is beyond addicting!  If you have not tried chocolate and hazelnuts in the same bite, you are missing out!

I decided to use toasted hazelnuts along with the hazelnut flour.  Don't skip this step, it adds so much flavor!!   I made a few of these cookies with just chocolate chips and the rest with cranberries and chocolate, they are both delicious!  The tartness of the cranberries is sweetened by the chocolate to make these the perfect match!!

Hazelnut Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 15

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup Hazelnut Flour/Meal
• 1 cup hazelnuts, skinned and toasted*
• 1/4 cup grass-fed butter, softened (4 tbsp)
• 1/4 cup non-dairy milk
• 1/3 – 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar or Swerve for no sugar option
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder (I use this Baking Powder that is gluten and corn free)
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup cranberries, roughly chopped
• 1/3-1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (Use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chipsbrand for dairy free option)

Instructions

1. De-skin the hazelnuts by following the method in the notes section below. Place the nuts in a dry skillet and toast over medium to medium high heat until they start to brown. Let cool in a single layer
2. Chop the cranberries or pulse them a couple times in a food processor, set aside
3. Once the nuts have cool a bit, place them in the food processor and pulse until they resemble very coarse sand. Place the nuts into a mixing bowl
4. Add the flour, sugar, softened butter, milk, vanilla, salt and baking soda to the food processor and blend until combined, pour into the hazelnuts and combine
5. Fold in the cranberries and chocolate chips. Dough may seem crumbly, but will hold together when cookie are formed
6. Form the dough into balls and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Press the cookies down to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cookies will spread slightly
7. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Let cool and store in an airtight container. I think nut flour baked goods taste best out of the refrigerator!

Quick notes

*I have tried removing the skin form hazelnuts a couple different ways.This method is definitely the easiest. It does take a few minutes, but worth it!!!

Variations

Coconut oil or Ghee should work in place of the butter.

Happy Holidays!

*I have recently switched all of my skincare and makeup to a company that is free of 1,500 chemicals!!  I am so particular about what goes into my body, I need to be just as picky as to what goes on my body!  Your skin is your largest organ and absorbs chemicals into the bloodstream faster than the gut does!  I am vain when it comes to my skin and was so thrilled to find products that are anti-aging and work!!!  Check out Beautycounter for more info!!  You will love it!!

Chocolate Hazelnut Dough Ball Cookies

Another yummy Dough Ball Cookie Recipe with more to come!!!

Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Dough Ball Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups hazelnut flour
• 1 1/2 tbsp refined coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (I use Nature's Hollow), or honey or coconut nectar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• dash of sea salt
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks

Instructions

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients in a bowl, set aside
2. Mix all of the wet ingredients in another bowl
3. Combine the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well. It's easiest to use your hands to mix
4. Roll dough into a bit larger than an inch balls
5. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes on a greased or parchment lined cookie sheet
6. Watch them to make sure they don't get too brown on top. If you desire a doughier cookie, under cook them by a few minutes

Quick notes

I used Bob's Red Mill Hazelnut Flour/Meal found at Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage and on Amazon. Any brand will work.  You could certainly make these with almond flour as well.  The hazelnut flour added an additional bit of sweetness and tasted yummy with the chocolate!

Look out, these are addicting!!!  Good thing they are grain-free and gluten free!!  They can be close to sugar free if you use Nature's Hollow Maple Syrup and  higher cacao content chocolate.

If you want to try Swerve or need to order more, use coupon code KATE10 for a 10% discount.  Swerve is my favorite sugar replacement.  It is the only sugar alcohol that will not cause tummy troubles and it does not raise blood glucose levels.

If you are an Amazon shopper, would you be so kind to use my affiliate link to make your purchases.  It is at no cost to you, it does provide a tiny kickback to Kate’s Healthy Cupboard.  This allows me to continue making and testing recipes for free.  Thanks so much!!

I have recently switched all of my skincare and makeup to a company that is free of 1,500 chemicals!!  I am so particular about what goes into my body, I need to be just as picky as to what goes on my body!  Your skin is your largest organ and absorbs chemicals into the bloodstream faster than the gut does!  I am vain when it comes to my skin and was so thrilled to find products that are anti-aging and work!!!  Check out my Beauty Counter link for more info!!  You will love it!!

Kate's Healthy Cupboard - Gluten Free Recipes