Chocolate Hazelnut Cut Out Cookie Recipes

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and bake on the upper rack until golden, about 7 minutes. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Combine the chopped chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted. Add the vanilla and whisk until smooth; set aside.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add the sugar and beat until thick and pale yellow, about 6 minutes. Gradually add the melted chocolate mixture and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture and beat until just combined, about 1 minute. Fold in the hazelnuts and chocolate chips.
• Drop heaping tablespoons of batter 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are slightly puffed and crackly, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.
• Toast nuts in a small baking pan in oven until centers are golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Wrap in a kitchen towel and cool to warm, then rub off any loose skins. Chop nuts.
• Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
• Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, then beat in egg and rum. At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches just until a dough forms. Stir in nuts.
• Divide dough in half and form each half into a 5-inch square. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 375°F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll out 1 piece of dough between 2 sheets of parchment into an 11-to 12-inch square. Freeze on a tray until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Remove top sheet of parchment and cut out shapes with cookie cutters, arranging them 1/2 inch apart on baking sheets.
• Bake cookies, switching position and rotating sheets halfway through, until firm and tops are slightly cracked, 8 to 12 minutes total. Transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.
• Repeat with remaining dough (cool baking sheets and line with fresh parchment). Reroll scraps once for extra cookies if desired.