cookie exchange

i participated in my very first cookie exchange this year. the exchanged took place at a work holiday party a coworker and i hosted last night. there were 10 participants and was very successful. i walked away from the party with a wide variety of cookies that will definately keep the sugar rush going for the next few weeks.

i made hazelnut-chocolate sandwich cookies and packaged them in white boxes. i wrapped the middle of the boxes with patterned paper. i finished it off with an ornament shaped gift tag and brown ribbon.

hazelnut-chocolate sandwich cookies

makes 48 cookies (2 inch round) or 24 sandwiches

ingredients

cookies

• 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

topping & filling

• powdered sugar (for dusting)
• 1/2 cup hazelnut-chocolate spread (nutella)

directions

1. in a small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, & salt.
2. in a medium bowl, beat granulated sugar & better at medium speed until light and fluffy. beat in egg & vanilla.
3. gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture. beat at low speed until dough forms.
4. divide dough in half. wrap in plastic wrap & refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
5. preheat over to 375 F.
6. roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 3/16-inch thickness.
7. cut dough into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters. make sure to cut equal numbers of each shape (to make the top & bottom of sandwich).
8. place cookies 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. bake 6-7 minutes or until edges are lightly brown.
9. let cookies stand on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. place cookies on wire rack & cool completely.
10. sprinkle half the number of cookies (the tops of the sandwich) with powdered sugar. spread hazelnut-chocolate spread on the flat side of the remaining cookies (the bottoms of the sandwich).
11. place flat side of top cookie over hazelnut spread & enjoy!