Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (I let mine sit at room temperature for 30 minutes)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (for that delicate sweetness)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (skip imitation it makes a difference!)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled to avoid dense cookies)
- ½ tsp salt (enhances the flavors)
- 24 Ferrero Rocher chocolates (unwrapped try not to eat them all first!)
- ½ cup finely chopped hazelnuts (optional, but adds extra crunch)
Instructions
1. Prep the dough:
I start by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, I beat the softened butter and sugar until fluffy about 2 minutes. Then, I mix in the vanilla. Gradually, I add the flour and salt, mixing just until the dough comes together. Overworking it can make the cookies tough!
2. Assemble the cookies:
I scoop a tablespoon of dough, flatten it in my palm, and place a Ferrero Rocher in the center. Carefully, I wrap the dough around the chocolate, rolling it into a smooth ball. If using hazelnuts, I gently press the dough balls into the chopped nuts to coat the outside.
3. Bake to perfection:
I arrange the dough balls 2 inches apart on my lined baking sheets. They’ll spread a little, so space matters! I bake them for 12–14 minutes, until the edges turn pale gold. The centers might look soft, but they firm up as they cool.
4. Cool and enjoy:
Letting the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack is key. I wait until they’re completely cool before sneaking a taste though I won’t judge if you can’t resist a warm one.
Notes
- Butter temperature matters: Too cold, and the dough crumbles; too warm, and the cookies spread. Aim for softened butter that holds a slight indent when pressed.
- Chill the dough: If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate the dough balls for 20 minutes before baking to prevent flattening.
- Test one cookie first: Ovens vary! Bake a single cookie to check timing and adjust as needed.
- Double the batch: These freeze beautifully, and having dough on hand is a lifesaver for unexpected guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (50g)
- Calories: 160-200 kcal
- Sugar: 12-16g
- Sodium: 80-120mg
- Fat: 9-11g
- Saturated Fat: 4-5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4-5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20-24g
- Fiber: 1-2g
- Protein: 2-3g
- Cholesterol: 10-20mg