Triple Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

I've never had a whole lot of success with chocolate cookies that call for melted chocolate.  I've tried several times to make chocolate mudslide cookies and they never end up in cookie form.  Just mudslide all the way.  So I was a little skeptical about these cookies but decided to try them anyway.  When the dough was ready to scoop, I read and reread the recipe trying to find where it said to chill the dough...nothing.  Which was stressful because the dough was more like brownie batter.  Being the trusting individual that I am (yeah, right) I plopped that dough on the pan anyway (although the plop was more of an organized scoop and drop).  And. They. Worked.  Success!  These chewy crackly topped cookies are full of chocolate chips and toasted hazelnuts in every fudgy, nutty bite. Original recipe found here.

Triple Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

8 ounces (about 1 1/4 cups) semi sweet chocolate chips
6 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
2 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the semi sweet chocolate chips and butter in a microwaveable bowl.  Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted and smooth.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla on high speed until the mixture is frothy and a light yellow color.  Gradually beat in the chocolate mixture until well blended.  Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and beat until just combined.  Stir in the hazelnuts, milk chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips.

Scoop the dough into tablespoon size mounds and drop onto the prepared baking sheet.  Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 13 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are crackly and slightly puffed.  Remove cookies from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for several minutes.  Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Makes about 36 cookies.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy