I love brownies and I’m always on the search for the perfect brownie.  My perfect brownie is chewy and fudgy with that paper-thin, cracked crust on top.  I have yet to find the recipe that produces all three.  I have several at home I haven’t tried yet so maybe one of them will produce my “perfect” brownie.  Why am I talking about brownies when the title is “Nutella Cookies”?  Well, because these cookies tastes like a brownie.  They have a slight crunch on the outside and a chewy, fudgy center.  They are rolled in hazelnuts which gives them an extra crunch.  These cookies are probably my new favorite chocolate cookie!

Source:  Cuisine At Home Magazine

Whisk:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. each baking soda and table salt

Beat:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup Nutella
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Finely chopped hazelnuts

Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl; set aside.  Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed, 5 minutes.  Add eggs one at a time, beating to fully incorporate before adding the next.  Add Nutella and vanilla; beat until combined.  Add flour mixture; mix just until combined.  Chill dough 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  Scoop about 3 tablespoons of dough and roll in hazelnuts.  Bake cookies until edges are set, about 15 minutes.  Let cookies cool on baking sheets.

Note:  For chewy centers and crisp edges, remove the cookies from the oven when the centers look underdone.

Makes two dozen 3 inch cookies