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1 1/2 cups sliced hazelnuts
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 tsp vanilla sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 cup Nutella, or other hazelnut chocolate spread
1 tsp butter, melted
1 orange
1 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp butter, melted (optional)
1/4 cup chopped pistachios
In a food processor, whirl nuts with flour, granulated sugar, vanilla sugar and baking powder until mixed. Add butter and egg and whirl until dough starts to form a ball. Turn onto counter. Divide dough in half. Form each half into logs about 12 in. (30 cm) long and 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide. Wrap each in plastic wrap. Because dough is soft, place logs in a pan, then freeze or refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
When ready to bake, position oven racks in top and bottom thirds of oven. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly spray 2 baking sheets with oil or line with parchment paper. Slice dough into thin rounds, about 1/4 in. (0.5 cm) thick. Place on baking sheets about 1 in. (2.5 cm) apart. Bake on 2 racks in oven, switching sheets halfway through, until golden around edges, 8 to 10 min. Remove baking sheets to a wire rack. Let cool on sheets, then remove cookies to wire rack. Repeat with remaining dough. If making ahead, store in an airtight container, in a cool place up to 1 week, or freeze up to 2 months.
It's best to fill and decorate no more than a day before serving. Place Nutella and butter in a bowl. Add finely grated peel from orange and squeeze in 1/4 cup (50 mL) orange juice. Stir to mix evenly. Spread bottom sides of half the rounds with filling, then cover with remaining cookie rounds.
For topping, place chocolate chips with butter in a small bowl. Microwave on medium, stirring halfway through, until almost melted, 2 to 3 min. Spread over half of each sandwich top. Sprinkle with pistachios. Serve right away or refrigerate up to a day before serving.
Calories 145, Carbohydrates 14g, Fat 9g.
Sandra Armitage: small business owner, mom of three and grandmother of one, Miniota, Man., 1st place, Holiday Cookie Contest. Four years ago, Sandra Armitage's family welcomed Ev Zschaeckel, a German exchange student, into their rural Manitoba home. Ev brought along this family recipe and helped Sandra translate it into English. At first, the cookies proved problematic - some of the ingredients just couldn't be found - but when a German acquiantance suggested using Nutella in the filling, the recipe fell into place. Ev has since returned to Germany, but her delectable sandwich cookies remain a favourite among the Armitages, who make them not only for Christmas but for all variety of special occasions.