The humidity is lesser these days and it was my birthday last weekend — and that ensued for a perfect excuse to try my hands at baking. Again.
Who needs a cake when there’s cookies?
Not me! 😀
And who bakes a cake on your own birthday? NOT ME. I chuckle just thinking about it.
Cake or without, there’s something about whipping up batches of cookies in a speed of lightening that feels more appealing. This recipe is definitely a soul-satisfying treat. I went all old school here by using butter and plenty of sugar to ensure every bite of cookie is celebratory.
To be fair, I nixed frosting on a cake so I deserved a proper celebratory dessert in its place. These cookies definitely made up for it in so many levels!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup almond meal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 4 tbsp cocoa
- 3 tbsp espresso
- 1/3 cup chopped raw, unsalted hazelnuts
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a stand mixer fitted with paddle, add softened butter, sugar and light brown sugar. Cream on medium speed, until fluffy for 3 minutes.
- Add one egg and vanilla extract. On a low speed, stir just to combine.
- Sift all the dry ingredients (almond meal, all purpose flour, salt, baking soda, cocoa) in a large bowl. Add it all into the stand mixer.
- Cream cookie dough on medium speed until combined. Stream in fresh espresso and chopped hazelnuts. Stir to combine on low speed.
- Scoop cookie dough with a small ice cream scoop onto baking sheets, leaving enough room between scoops to allow cookies to spread.
- Bake between 12 to 15 minutes. Remove cookies from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, before cooling it off completely on cooling racks.
- Dunk cookies into cold milk and enjoy!
I’m currently writing from the road — we are road-tripping to North Carolina on a very short visit to run some work errand. The Husband is manning the wheel for the next 10 hours and I could seriously snooze any minute now.
Not that it matters.
It’s cakes OR cookies for you? Only pick ONE 😉
Comments on this entry are closed.
Wonderful cookies! No matter the weather or temperatures, they are always welcome.
That second click is really pretty.
Cheers,
Rosa
Rosa — thank you so much, my dear 🙂
Kiran with these wonderful picture you don’t only make me feel like eating your biscuit now… you make me feel like being there with you while cooking and preparing the set!!! I’ll definitely make these cookies as soon as possible!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Poached Duck Eggs on Light Multi-Seed English Muffin
Daniela — thank you so much! You made my day with such sweet comments. I hope we get to bake, style and shoot together someday 🙂
Oh that would be great! I’m sure I’d learn so many good things!
Daniela @foodrecipeshq recently posted..Bucatini with Spinach Pesto and Mushrooms
Your photos are making me pick cookies over cake! That has not happened in a long time – like forever. Well done!
Ansh | Spiceroots recently posted..Grilled Herb Shrimp – Ina Garten Fridays
Ansh — I’m thrilled 😀
They look delicious!! Your photos are amazing!!! Do you shoot them inside or outside?? We dont have good lighting in our house..
Mr. & Mrs. P recently posted..Chicken with Caramelized Onions and White Wine
Christy & Michael — thank you so so much! I shoot my photos indoor. I guess you have to play with the lights all over your home to scour the best light source. I know someone who shoots in her kids bedroom because that’s the best light source in her home. Can’t imagine shooting outdoors so much — the lighting can be harsh and not to forget, those bugs that would totally ruin it for all of us 😉
There’s a couple of artificial lights out there, but I’ve never tried any to recommend.
These look amazing! I just made chocolate, hazelnut biscotti so I think these would be right up my alley. Love that second picture, gorgeous!
Michelle recently posted..Cookie Dough Cupcakes with Fluffy Nutella Frosting
Michelle — thank you so much! I love the combo of chocolate and hazelnuts. It never gets old 😀
I just adore chocolate and hazelnuts together (and by themselves)! I love that your cookies use almond meal. These look beautiful and delicious. I was wondering what the interior texture is like (is there a little bit of chew in the middle or crisp throughout)? Thanks!
Monica recently posted..Incredible chocolate-hazelnut meringue torte – in miniature
Monica — thank you so much! The exterior is lightly crisped and interior is decadently soft and chewy deliciousness 🙂
Those look great – chocolate and hazelnut are such good partners!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) recently posted..Food Bloggers Against Hunger: Asparagus, Dill + Onion Egg Casserole
Alyssa — ditto and thanks!
Simple yet delicious, Kiran!
Viviane Bauquet Farre- Food and Style recently posted..Pan-fried smashed potatoes with fresh herbs and garlic
Viviane — thank you!
I definitely prefer cookies over cake and these look perfect! wow!…and your photos are straight from the cover of a magazine!!
Gina — thank you so so much, my dear friend 🙂
I love anything chocolate hazelnut, these are my idea of cookie heaven!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..chocolate-caramel graham bars
Laura — mine too! 😀
Amazing cookies and gorgeous photos, Kiran!
Carol | a cup of mascarpone recently posted..chocolate buttermilk & white chocolate chunk muffins
Carol — thank you so much my dear 🙂
I agree..who needs cake when you can have these lovely chocolate hazelnut cookies instead?! I love the combination of chocolate and hazelnut. I’m pretty much drooling over here.
sweet-lab recently posted..chocolate cranberry nut biscotti
Sweet Lab — thanks a lot! I share similar sentiments when it comes to chocolates and hazelnuts 🙂
its like the best cookie in the world- no kidding- the best!
Jessica — awww, thanks a lot my dear 🙂
I will become cookie monster if I saw these, it would definitely go well with cold milk.
Raymund recently posted..Surimi Salad
Raymund — haha, I share the same sentiments about cookies 😉
Belated wishes to you on your b’day. Well, way too late to wish, yet better than never. And love that tag “who bakes a cake on your own birthday?” So much agree to have someone baking for me instead 😉 Lovely cookies for a celebration. Just back from a short vacation and would love to head into my kitchen to bake these sinfully gorgeous looking cookies. Well I would grab some weight off the monitor just by the look of these!
Mallika recently posted..Masala Shavige Uppittu
Mallika — thank you so much for the wishes! And I hope you’d indulge into this soon 🙂
Cookies with nuts and espresso?! Let me get myself a cup of tea and imagine myself eating those off your screen. 🙂
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com recently posted..Asian salmon and noodles
that is, eating those cookies by looking at MY computer screen (not your screen). 🙂
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com recently posted..Asian salmon and noodles
Julia — totally got it 😉
Well, Happy Birthday to you Kiran! Mine was on Tuesday! Your cookies are just perfect for the occasion!
Katerina recently posted..Orange Fudge Brownies
Katerina — thank you so much my dear. And a very Happy Birthday to you too 🙂
Love the idea of birthday cookies, what a perfect way to celebrate!
Kathryn recently posted..santa monica & day trips
Kathryn — thanks so much, love 🙂
Kiran – your cookies sound scrumptious! Happy late BD…it was my bd last week too! 🙂
Ina gawne recently posted..THAI BROCCOLI SALAD
Ina — thank you so so much, my friend. And a very Happy Birthday to you too! xoxo
Suddenly feeling like the cookie monster… gobble, gobble.
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Meyer Lemon Tart from Roxana’s Home Baking
Sommer — lol, i felt the same too 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday <3 and if cookies have hazelnuts and chocolate, I will probably take that over cake any day. Hope road trip goes smooth for you guys
dixya@food, pleasure, and health recently posted..Me, Myself, and I in the Kitchen
Dixya — thank you so so much! xo
Happy Birthday Kiran and I am loving the way you styled the cookies! Beautiful 🙂 It’s been a long time since I baked some cookies. I guess it’s time!
Kankana recently posted..Soba Noodles with Scallops in Wine Sauce
Kankana — thank you so so much my dear. And yes, go and bake some cookies!
I’ll take a dozen of these lovely cookies!
marla recently posted..Berry Fizz {Heather Christo’s Generous Table | Cookbook Giveaway}
Marla — 🙂
Vow hazelnut and cocoa one of my favorite combo that too in cookies 🙂 please pass me some ….
Maria recently posted..Paan Kulfi
Maria — I wish I could fedex it to you. Thank you 🙂
These photos are stunning! And so are the cookies. 😀 I hope you had a great birthday!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies recently posted..50 Vegetarian Sandwich Recipes
Kiersten — thank you so much! 🙂
These look amazing! I’m definitely a cookie or pie person for my birthday. I loved that you used almond meal in these – they look delicious!
NATALIE recently posted..Orange Ricotta Morning Muffins
Natalie — thank you so much. so glad we share similar cravings on our birthdays 🙂
I wouldn’t mind celebrating my birthday with a batch, or two, of these cookies. Love your photos Kiran!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie recently posted..Neenish Tarts and Afternoon Tea Cookbook Review
Nancy — thank you so so much, my dear friend 🙂
I’m a cookie girl myself….. there are quick. although I do love cake!!
Tracy | Peanut Butter and Onion recently posted..Cream of Asparagus Soup
Tracy — ditto! And thank you for commenting 🙂
Fast and utterly gorgeous chocolate decadence cookies 🙂
Nice!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Guest Post #9: Peanut Butter Quinoa Oat Muffins
CCU — thank you!
Hehe indeed I know a lot of people who would rather have a cookie than a cake (I’ll take both though personally :P).
Lorraine — I’d take both too, but refuse to bake a birthday cake on my day. That’s weird 😀
Cakes, every time – though I would prefer savoury over either.
Stunning photos and Happy Birthday, hope you had a good day. 😉
lizzie – strayed from the table recently posted..Spaghetti Squash Gratin Recipe
Lizzie — thank you so much my dear 🙂
Great cookies! And wonderful pictures. Really an excellent post. Good work – snooze away while hubby drives! Thanks for this.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Salade Frisée aux Lardons
John — lol, thanks!
Delicious combination – chocolate and hazelnut are one of my favorite combinations! So glad to have found your beautiful site, Kiran!
Jess — thank you so much and so glad to have found your blog too 🙂
These are amazing! You are such a talented cook and photographer! Have a great night 🙂
Sunnie — thanks a lot my dear. I’m still learning so much 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday Kiran! These cookies look great…chocolate and hazelnut are great together…yum!
Enjoy your week my dear 🙂
Juliana recently posted..Green Bean and Barley Soup with Mochi Balls
Juliana — thank you so so much, my dear friend 🙂
Making cookies for your birthday instead of cake it’s totally ACCEPTABLE! After all it’s your birthday!
These cookies sound so good Kiran and the photos are stunning as usual
Thanks for sharing and thank you for the lovely comment left on my guest post on Sommer’s blog
Roxana | Roxana’s Home Baking recently posted..Meyer Lemon Tart
Roxana — you are welcome and thank you for the compliments 🙂
Oh they look so yummy ! I am going to use macadamias just because I have them in the house 🙂 I love the addition of the coffee !
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Bario Ramen @ Bugis+
ps – happy birthday !
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Bario Ramen @ Bugis+
Carolyn — thank you so much for the birthday wish, my dear friend. And I hope you enjoyed these cookies with macadamia nuts 🙂
I’m always in the mood for a chocolate cookie, so these are perfect to me 🙂
ashley – baker by nature recently posted..Bacon & Egg Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Bacon Parmesan Vinaigrette
Ashley — 🙂
Cookies are good for any time, any occasion and event! These look wonderful!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Gluten Free Green Pea Muffins with Poppy and Mozzarella
Angie — 🙂
Mmm, lovely cookies, Kiran! And your photos are stunning. I pick cookies – especially when they are like yours. Enjoy your road trip!
Hannah recently posted..Grandma’s Spaghetti
Hannah — thank you so much, girlfriend 🙂 xo
I love cookies! These look perfect. Cake isn’t bad either but sometimes the icing is seriously just too much sugar overload for me. 🙂
Julia — ditto! And thank you 🙂
I need to make these right now!!!! I always choose cookies.
Kate — I hope you enjoyed these cookies! Let me know how it tastes 🙂
Happy belated Birthday, Kiran! I think a batch of celebratory cookies is perfections, especially with the flavor of nutella without the nutella, plus almond flour. I imagine them to be chewy on the inside. I wish I had a plate of them in front of me..now!
Lisa recently posted..Butterscotch Caramel Peach Cobbler and Part 20
Lisa — thank you so much, my friend 🙂 And yes, these cookies are chewy from the insides!
It is always cookies for me! Ooh yes, with my + 150 different cookie cutters!
Your cookies look so dlectable, apart & wonderful too, dear Kiran!
Great Pics too! 🙂 xxx
Sophie recently posted..Vegan, Gluten-Free boozy smoothies!
I meant delectable!
Sophie recently posted..Vegan, Gluten-Free boozy smoothies!
Sophie — thank you so much my dear friend. You have 150 different cookie cutters?! Wow 😀
You just combined two of my all time favorite ingredients in the world 🙂 !
Nik@ABrownTable recently posted..indian-style beet burgers
Nik — I’m so glad 🙂
I have been on the hunt for a the perfect chocolate hazelnut cookie for a while now. I just made them using your recipe and I cannot tell you how absolutely delicious they are. I did use a slight bit extra brown sugar (+1/4 c) and baked for 5 extra minutes and this recipe is a keeper. Thank you so very much for sharing your recipe. And your photos are equally beautiful! 🙂
Debjani — thank you so so much for trying the recipe and your feedback! It means the world to me, my friend 🙂
OMG KIRAN… I’m in love with your pictures more than the cookies… you are soooooooo freakin talented!
You should totally market yourself and work with food magazines with your brilliant photography skills.
honeywhatscooking recently posted..Spring Favorites – Designer Crossbody Bags under $600
Honey — thank you so so much my dear friend! Your comments is definitely a great motivation for me to keep doing what I love 🙂
Hope you had a great birthday! Your cookies look delicious!
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen recently posted..Vanilla and Raspberry Jam Cupcakes
Rosie — thank you so so much!
I’ll take a dozen of these beautiful cookies, please! They look delicious & I hope you had a lovely birthday!
Meghan recently posted..Biscoff Pretzel M&M Cookies
Meghan — thank you so much! Come on over. I’d be happy to bake you some 🙂
How could I only pick one?! Alright well if my arm is being twisted I pick cookies, there’s just something about them…
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Braised and Glazed Vegetables with Green Olive Pesto (Pistounade)
Sylvie — I love you for picking cookies!!
These look absolutely delicious, and I love the use of almond meal! I love it’s texture in cookies, and I love chocolate and hazelnut, so I need to try these cookies for sure. Pinned!
Rachel @ Bakerita recently posted..Vegan Blueberry Muffins
Rachel — thank you so much for pinning, my friend 🙂 xo
I really need to make cookies for my sons. They both love it. Me and Neil too, gonna try soon.
Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Your Cookery Book recently posted..Leftover Rice Pakora
YCB — and thank you for trying this recipe. I hope you and the family enjoyed it 🙂 xo
Cake for me, but never if I have to bake it myself. Happy belated birthday!
Giulia — I could never bake a cake for myself, either! Thank you for the birthday wish 🙂
Oh God, these cookies look amazing. I was just thinking what to eat :D… you gave me an answer.
Mihai @ Simply yum recently posted..Poached Eggs in Tomato and Red Bell Pepper Sauce
Mihai — lol, thanks and I hope you enjoyed this recipe 🙂
They look wonderful! Full of texture and rich chocolaty-ness! The best kind of cookie!
Averie — thank you my friend 🙂
hello from malaysia! omg, these cookies look delish – I haven’t been baking cookies for so long now, I really ought to start again looking at these!
and if I get to pick one, I’d probably pick cake 🙂
Ling — Hi there, fellow Malaysian 🙂 I’d probably pick cake too, but can’t bring myself baking it for my own birthday — if you know what I mean 😉
These cookies look so delicious! On my to-do list.
Terri/LoveandConfections recently posted..Balloons for an Angel
Terri — thank you so much and I hope you’d enjoy it!
I am probably more of a cookie person than a cake (I love looking at them more than eating them). The second from top is my favorite shot. I dream to have a cookie shot like this. Make me want to eat ALL these cookies. Very pinterest friendly gorgeous photos. 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Hamburger Steak Bento ハンバーグ弁当
Nami — thank you so so much my dear. And I love your shots too, and the fact that you are a cookie person! Yay 😀
Your photos are stunning and your recipes sound delectable. We would love for you to share them at thefeastingeye.
Amazing photography and prop styling! How you don’t have your own cookbook yet, I don’t know! You should come out with your own book! Please!
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