Rich dark chocolate paired with a light shortbread cookie, these Hazelnut Shortbread with Salted Ganache Sandwich Cookies are slightly addicting, fun to make and give!
Hey y’all! How are you? Have you decked the halls? Is it a work in progress?
I’ve not, but I’ve been deckin’ my kitchen with flour, butter and sugar. I’ve been bakin’ y’all. How about you?
Last month I asked what y’all wanted to see for the up-coming holiday season. There was a resounding call for holiday food gifts, among a few other things I’ll be sharing in the new year.
I think this is my favorite cookie I’ve made all year. Hazelnut flour does something magical to dough. It transforms the flavor and texture to something that’s hard to describe.
Tender but sturdy comes to mind, but the nuts also impart a subtle added sweetness that takes this cookie from ordinary to extraordinary.
Shortbread is my most favorite of all cookies. Why?? Not only because butter (duh), but because with a basic recipe, it’s so versatile. Let me tell you the reasons:
- Make ahead: the dough can hold for up to two months in the freezer.
- Easy: it comes together super quick. You can roll it out for cut cookies of any shape like these Dark Chocolate Cocoa Nib Shortbread Cookies, or shape it into a log and cut it into round cookies like these Cocoa Nibby Pecan Shortbread Cookies and Bourbon Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies.
- Flavorful: shortbread can take on many different flavors from bourbon (hooray!), nuts, chocolates and extracts, to dried fruit, zest and juice. Their flavor improves with a few days on them too!
- Homemade or DIY Gifts: People love receiving homemade gifts. Shortbread is shelf stable and will keep for several weeks tightly wrapped. So send them to friends and family near and far!
- Multipurpose: shortbread can be cut to varying thickness, shaped into thumbprint cookies or sandwich cookies.
For this recipe, I’ve made a basic dough into a tender sandwich cookie. If you’re short on time and want to forego the ganache, Hazelnut Shortbread makes a tasty stand-alone cookie too.
This cookie is tender, rich, and decadent with just the right amount of salt. The texture is somewhere between crisp and crumbly yet sturdy enough to hold up to the creamy, rich ganache.
Hazelnut Shortbread with Salted Ganache Sandwich Cookies
This cookie is tender and decadent with just the right amount of salt. The texture is somewhere between crisp and crumbly yet sturdy enough to hold up to the creamy, rich ganache - it's dark and mildly sweet. Delicious anytime of year, but makes a delightful gift especially during the holidays. Time below does not include time needed to rest the dough (about 2 hours 10 min). Amount of time to prep and assemble cookies will vary depending on comfort/experience in rolling/cutting dough. {Please read updated notes in the notes section.}
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 C or 2 Sticks Unsalted Butter, room temperature, 230g
- 2/3 C Cane Sugar, 158g
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste or vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 C All Purpose Flour, 184g
- 1 C Hazelnut Flour, 115g
For the Ganache:
- 1 1/2 C Bittersweet Chocolate, at least 70% cacao, chopped into small pieces, 216g
- 3/4 C Heavy Cream 160g
- Fleur de Sel for sprinkling
Instructions
For the Cookies:
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In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, to the bowl add butter, sugar, sea salt and vanilla bean paste. Beat 3 minutes on medium speed until ingredients come together and are creamy and smooth. Add the all purpose flour and hazelnut flour. Pulse in, then turn to medium speed until the dough starts to come together and form somewhat of a ball on the paddle. This takes about one and a half to two minutes. The dough will be sticky.
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Dump dough onto plastic wrap and form into a disk about 1/2" (1.3cm) thick. Wrap with the plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least two hours. At this point the dough can be frozen for at least two months. Double wrap and label the dough. To defrost, place in fridge overnight.
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Remove from refrigerator and let the dough sit for about five to 10 minutes. This will bring the temperature up a bit and make it easier to work with. Sprinkle the work surface, rolling pin and top of dough with flour, and beat the dough several times with the rolling pin. This conditions the dough and readies it for rolling. Sprinkle with flour again, on top and underneath the dough, then begin rolling into a rough circle to a little over 1/4" (0.6cm) thick. Reflour the work surface, pin and dough as needed. These cookies are a bit sticky. It's important to keep the dough at the same thickness (1/4") throughout so that the cookies each bake evenly. This dough can be rolled between parchment paper if desired. I choose not to do this because, for me, the parchment simply gets in the way.
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Line a sheet-pan with parchment paper. Dip the cookie cutter in flour and begin cutting out the cookies. I used a 1 1/2" (3.8cm) fluted round cutter like these. Transfer the cookies to the sheet-pan using an offset spatula. Gather the scraps, kneading and working the dough to make another disk, reroll and cut. You'll probably need to pop the dough back in the fridge for rerolling if your kitchen is warm. The cooler the dough, the cleaner the cut. Do this until all the dough has been used. There's no need to worry about over working the dough.
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Place the cookies in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes prior to baking. Do not skip this step or the cookies will spread. Preheat the oven to 325F (180C) (due to a few comments I've received on this recipe about the cookies spreading, I've retested this recipe using varying oven temperatures - and the same, 325F - see note about baking temperatures. An oven thermometer is helpful in making sure the oven is at the proper temperature, and seems essential with this recipe). Place baking rack in center of the oven. Now is a good time to make the ganache (see below).
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Bake cookies for 25-26 minutes or until golden, rotating the pan 1/2 way through the bake time. Start checking on the cookies at about 22 minutes due to oven variations. They'll be darker on the bottom than the top and still slightly soft in the center (they'll firm up as they cool). Remove from oven and using an offset spatula, carefully transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely before making the sandwich cookies.
For the Ganache:
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Place the chopped chocolate into a bowl. Meanwhile heat the cream on medium heat just until bubbles appear around the edges of the cream. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Allow it to set for two minutes without stirring. Use a spatula to gently start folding and slowly stirring the chocolate until all the chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth. Place plastic wrap right on the surface of the ganache so that a skin doesn't form. Allow to set at room temperature to thicken for at least an hour.
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Check the ganache to see it has thickened. It shouldn't be runny, but should be thick enough to pipe, like the consistency of very soft butter. If not, place it in the microwave for no more than 5 seconds. Stir well. Place #18 open star pastry tip in a pastry bag and fill with ganache. Alternatively, fill a plastic zip bag with ganache, forcing it into one corner and cut a small hole in the corner. Pipe the ganache just inside the edge of a cookie in a circular motion moving from the edge to the center. Sprinkle a few flakes of Fleur du Sel over the ganache and top it with another cookie.
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Store in a covered container for up to one week. If making the cookies without the ganache, the cookies can be stored for up to two weeks.
Recipe Notes
Due to a few comments I've received below, I've retested this recipe, baking at three different temperatures (325F - 25 min, 350F - 15 min, 375F 10 min). I continue to get the cleanest edges, golden color and crispiest cookies at 325F for 25 minutes (the low temp and long bake time gets the cookies nice and dry - this is what I'm after in shortbread). A few important tips for success: 1. An external oven thermometer will ensure the oven is at the proper temperature. You'd be surprised at how widely ovens vary in their inaccurate calibration. For example, I have to set my oven to 335F to get it to 325F. 2. Cut the dough cold. A clean cut means a cleaner edged cookie. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen, this may mean placing the dough back in the refrigerator after rolling or prior to cutting. 3. Be sure to chill the dough for at least 20 minutes prior to baking. 4. Thickness of the cookie matters. Use a ruler to measure the thickness - you want it just over, but not less then 1/4" .
Inspired by The Grand Central Bakery
I have made these cookies twice now. The first time I had a little bit of spread but really still more or less in shape. I followed everything EXCEPT I didn’t check the temp in my oven with a thermometer. The second time I used an oven thermometer and found out my oven is running at least 25-40 degrees hot. This made all the difference. Also the first time I measured the flours in cups instead of using the weight – the second time I weighed the flours.
I also did these on convection reducing the suggested temp by 25 degrees which worked great.
Thank you for a well tested and explained recipe!.
Hi Tony! Thank you so much for your note and sharing your trials with us. So happy to hear your success! Indeed, shortbread can be finicky when it comes to oven temperature simply because their’s so much butter involved. Oven temperature DOES make a difference and IMHO, is worth going the bit of extra effort to make sure the temperature is accurate – especially in baking. So glad you enjoyed the cookies!
So I would like to call myself an experienced home baker… these cookies look great, but after trying them multiple ways, I could not stop them from spreading. They tasted great, but no such luck in the looks department. Made my own hazelnut flour, perhaps I should have let it dry out completely… plain and simple if a recipe doesn’t work for most people who try it, then it doesn’t work.
I wish I’d scrolled through the comments before baking – I would’ve noticed all the 5 star reviews were for the photos, not the recipe or the finished product. Looks like only one person has actually baked them!
Anyway, I’m not here to stir up trouble, but I just found this recipe too time-consuming, yet too vague (as far as mixing and heating times go). The dough was tricky to work with and ultimately the cookies spread and were very crumbly. The ganache turned out fine but it needs a little oomph. I wish mine had looked yours in the photos; I lost the fluted edges when the cookies spread. I’d try again and make some changes, but with hazelnut flour costing $14 for a tiny bag, I just can’t afford to.
Hi Jenn! Thank you for your note. I appreciate your feedback and I’m sorry this recipe didn’t work for you. Can you clarify what was vague in the “heating time?” In my efforts to produce the best quality recipes I can, I remade this recipe as written this morning and my cookies turned out as pictured here (this recipe is a family favorite, made many times over). I added a clarifying note on mixing to one and a half minutes, if that helps. I’m not sure what went wrong, but a few things come to mind as potentials. Having an oven thermometer (not the one that comes on the oven) is helpful. Knowing the exact temperature of the oven is important for the best outcome, especially when it comes to baking, since oven temperatures vary so widely. High altitude plays a role in outcome as well as (not sure if this is your situation?). Making sure the dough is completely chilled, both times improves flour hydration, reduces and can eliminate spreading in short-dough. Regarding comments/ratings, I would never want to restrict people from leaving comments or ratings on my blog regardless if they’ve made a recipe or not. I’ve created this space for open exchange of supportive comments, inspired feedback, questions, ideas and troubleshooting a recipe. Not everyone who makes recipes from this blog leaves a comment – as it is not a requirement for using my recipes. If I can help further, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment, or contact me. Thank you again for your feedback, Jenn! I hope this helps.
I’m having troubles keeping the cookies from spreading. I made sure to refrigerate the cookies for over an hour before putting them in the oven. Thoughts?
Hi Sar! I’m sorry you’re having difficulty with cookie spread. Several factors can be the cause of this. Do you have an oven thermometer to make sure the cookies are baking at 325F? If too much air is incorporated into the butter and sugar when mixing, this can cause cookie spread. Also, water content in butter varies. I use Organic Valley butter… Unfortunately, water percent is not something that is labeled on butter, so it’s really hard to know if this is the issue. I hope this helps.
Thank you, thank you! I used to make these cookies for family on special occasions but lost the recipe a while back. Now that you can buy hazelnut meal, I can skip a few steps that were time consuming ie the cracking, peeling ,and roasting of the nuts, I also used melted Dove chocolate inside the sandwiches instead of ganache. Thank you again, and my family will thank you also.
Hooray, Joan! Thank you for your note. These cookies are so tender and have such a fabulous texture. I hope you’ll give the ganache a go. It really takes these cookies to extraordinary! I hope you enjoy the recipe! :D
Thank you so much for thw quick reply! Also can use granulated sugar or brown sugar instead?
Feel free to try it! Brown will increase the hydration a bit so I would stick with granulated if you need to change the type of sugar you use! ☺️
Hi these cookies look amazing and love that they are egg-free! Can’t wait to try them! Can we use vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste? If yes how much would it be?
Hi Mansi! Yes, yes! Use vanilla extract, same amount, two tsp. They’re soooo good! :D
These sandwich cookies are absolutely divine, Traci! Pinning!
They’re hard to resist, Lauren! Thank you my dear! :D
These look so delicately gorgeous, Traci! And hazelnut is so amazing… just beautiful. And thanks for this amazing giveaway!!
Thank you Alison! :D
Yes yes yes! I think I love every little thing about these Traci! Man that ganache looks like perfection. I’ve never experimented with hazelnut flour before but I think I need to pick some up, pronto!
Oh yes, Alyssa, pick up that hazelnut flour… it’s soooo good and ads a really nice texture to this cookie. And that salted ganache? Heaven! Thank you my dear! :D
I really do not know how you do it. 9 photos per post and they AHMAYZINGGG!
This is like nutella shortbread cookie with all the hazelnuts and chocolate ganache. Seriously, YUM!
Cheers!
The girl, who wishes that she was the one who took that bite in the last photo – aka “Ice”
Awwhhhh, thank you my dear! You too! SO many photos, I just can’t help myself! :D Cheers to you my dear! May it snow, snow, snow for my ex Tropical Island Friend! :D
These look all kinds of delicious!
Thank you Shawn! :D
First of all, you take THE most gorgeous photos EVER. I always feel like I can taste your food. So I have learned to not visit you hungry. :) I just had breakfast and now I want these dang cookies… so much for my plan. Guess I can’t visit you and NOT get hungry! These cookies look just fabulous, my dear! I love shortbread cookies too, but you totally took them up 300 notches. Hazelnut, cookie sandwich AND ganache?! Stop it. Too much deliciousness!!!! These would make a great gift, if I don’t eat them all first! PINNED!!! Cheers, my dear friend – to a beautiful day and these cookies in my belly!
Thank you Cheyanne! :D Ohhh good… thank you for your feedback too! That’s good to hear! I had a cookie after breakfast, I have to admit. I’m swimmin’ in cookies over here Chey.. save me! I’m trying to get most of them to the post office prior to my devouring them all… I’m up to five different varieties of shortbread. I’m obsessed! Heeeelp! :D
Like a completely sophisticated and grown-up version of nutella shortbreads, I love it! Especially that salted ganache – serious cookie envy going on here Tracy! I have been full-out into the Christmas baking too, but mostly at work – hundreds of jars of biscotti, chocolate chip, panforte, fudge, amaretti, anzacs, macaroons, peanut brittle – it’s crazy!! x
You know, I’ve never had Nutella? But if it tastes anything like these… Okay! I’m sold! Oh my you’ve been baking a lot! Biscotti is so hot this time of year.. but I’m not a fan. Perhaps I’ve just not tried a recipe I like? Indeed peanut brittle, fudge, amaretti… so fun! I bet it’s crazy my dear! :D
These are so drool worthy! Love the nutty, chocolately and salty combo. I have featured your delicious recipe on my weekly round up here on my blog http://www.theredlychee.com/the-weekly-round-up-12/
Hi there Abida! Thank you so much for including me on your beautiful blog and round-up! The salty is so fabulous here! I’m in loooove! :D
Traci that looks wicked yummy. This is a treat for sure, love the hazelnuts and the ganache. You are simply amazing with your pictures and food. It show how much thought goes into every post.
On another note, We’ve decorated a bit, but like you I’ve been in the kitchen more;). We will be travelling for few days during Christmas, so no big cooking plans for the day.
Pinning everything that you come up with.
Have a fab weekend my friend.
Hiii Asha! hehe – wicked yummy! No doubt a treat worth the indulgence. Thank you for your kind words my dear and your pins!! Yup – the kitchen is where it’s at! Like you, I love spending time there, but this time of year, especially! xo
Ha! I’ve totally been decking my kitchen. And that’s about it. I’m being a scrooge when it comes to decorating this year for some reason. But I’m definitely not a scrooge when it comes to baking! Shortbread cookies are my favorite too. Love the addition of hazelnut flour (I just made hazelnut madeleines this week!) and of course, that chocolate ganache in the middle doesn’t hurt either. Yay yay!
Hahahaa! Love it! No scrooge, Liz. I had plans to decorate a bit, but I’ve not gotten to it! No doubt.. we’ll just keep deckin the kitchen! HA! :D
my kitchen is way more on the sweet side than the savory these days. tis the season! the best of seasons. you make the sandwich cookie look like a star Traci. xo
Thank you my dear! No doubt Amanda, mine too… I’ve been giving a lot away lately! :D
Well I can definitely say I have been decking my shirt an pants with floor and powdered sugar as o late, but not the halls.
Saw these the other day and finally had time to drop by. I am in love with these as I am a BIG shortbread and sandwich cookie fan. Bookmarked them to try and definitely Pinned. Beauties! Have a great weekend.
Hehe! It’s a mess.. the kitchen just stays that way this time of year! Hi Kevin! Thanks for stopping by :D and for your pin! Oh they’re the best, eh?
I can’t easily find hazelnut flour in the UK – found one online source but they wanted £12 for 500g. Could I perhaps toast and then grind my own hazelnuts in a food processor instead? Wondered if they might go to paste a bit when grinding with the oil in the hazelnuts. Appreciate any suggestions on this as I love the recipe and was keen to make for a friend for Xmas
Hi Sue! Hazelnut flour can get expensive. I caught mine on sale and I think my Co-op carries them in bulk. But you could try grinding your own hazelnuts. I have done it before, not with this recipe, but shortbread is very forgiving so I feel good about it working just fine. Just watch them closely when pulsing in a food processor because, like you know, they could turn to a paste rather quickly. Toast them first to bring out their flavor, on 163C (325F) for about 8-9 minutes. I hope this helps and you enjoy the recipe! Thank you again for your note. :D
Wicked shortbread sister! I agree, really tough to beat a shortbread cookie (something about that butter, sugar, flour combination :D) love the hazelnut but didn’t realize you were using it in flour form; very cool. I must admit ever since you mentioned espresso on IG I’ve got that swirling around in my head too… never mind visions of gingerbread ;0). Decked the halls? yeah, definitely a work in progress LOL. Smooch, x.
Thank you my dear! What else do you need? Sugar, flour, butter and chocolate… I mean come on! Forget the veggies! Bob’s has a really nice hazelnut flour that I’ve been using. I’m enjoying the texture it imparts to cookies, tarts and energy bites. Ohhhh yes…. add a bit of espresso pow to that chocolate – heaven! Or better yet.. to the shortbread… GAH!! xo
Such gorgeous photos, Traci! Love the shortbread, hazelnut, ganache combination. I think hazelnut is very under appreciated. And I, homemade gifts really are the best. I’m in the middle of getting my decorating groove on – the outside is all done – now just have to tackle inside!
Thank you Geraldine! I’ve had to change up my light strategy since it’s sooo dark out.. Still using natural light, but just had to move locations.. further from the kitchen :( . Hooray for getting the outside decorated! I bet your place is spectacular! :D
These photos have got me craving a good sandwich cookie to devour Traci.. YUM.
Thank you Thalia… crave-worthy indeed! :D
I really wish I could pluck a cookie right off the screen. Such warm cozy colors and flavors. Now I’m wanting to share cookies and milk with you. This keeps happening, doesn’t it?! Thanks for sharing, my dear! xo
Hehe! I wish I could just walk one right over to you my dear! Thank you Annie! I love your description, warm and cozy! xo
Love hazelnut and these shortbread cookies book beautiful and delicious! Pinning! Love the giveaway!
Thank you Mira and for your pin! Such a fun giveaway! :D
I had to comment.. I was looking at the Pinterest board and saw these and thought “those HAVE to be Traci’s..” aha!! Gorgeous photography as always, and they sound incredible!
Yayyyy!! Hiiii Cheryl! Oooh that Pinterest does it every time, right?! Thank you for stopping by… you’re so sweet my dear. Thank you!! :D
These cookies look amazing, I love that you added hazelnut! And your photography is so beautiful Traci!
So happy you like them, Heather and thank you for your kind comments! :D
I’ve decked half my tree and then..got distracted? Ha. These cookies look utterly delicious – so much love for chocolate and hazelnut!
Haha… that will be me too… I can’t seem to get anything fully done! ha!! A perfect pair, eh? Thank you Tessa!
Such an irresistible cookie, Traci! Hazelnut anything is always a favorite of mine. And chocolate ganache sandwiches… yum. So lovely!
Thank you Emily. Such a simple flavor combination that seems to win the hearts of so many. I love it too! :D
You’re killing me with these cookies Traci! I think I put on 5 pounds just looking at them!!!! And I don’t care if I’m short on time, I need that ganache sandwiched so deliciously between those heavenly pieces of shortbread!!!
No doubt, putting on 5 pounds is easy to do this time of year! I feel the same about the ganache, but these are quite tasty standing alone! Think in a bowl of ice cream! :D Thank you my dear!
We haven’t quite decked the halls over here yet as we’ll be heading to England soon! Baking cookies is the perfect way to celebrate this holiday season. These shortbread cookies would be finished in my house in no time! And my, oh my, this is an epic giveaway!!
Hooray for traveling! WOW! I would love to go to England; what an adventure! Good for you Lisa. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it! Yeah.. the cookies. I gotta give them away, FAST because I have no self control! hehe! :D
It’s going to feel weird having someone cook for me every day! Will definitely let you know how the trip goes!
No doubt… mixed feelings? I can’t wait, Lisa!! Wishing you the best! :D
Oh Traci, you never cease to take my breath away with your photos and your recipes. These cookies are absolutely divine. What I wouldn’t give to have your pastry skills! Or at least have you live a little closer so I could be your taste tester. :)
Such a great giveaway too! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Sarah! I’ve just practiced, a lot! :D I’d love to share the deliciousness with you… I would be so fun to live closer! :D
OMG Traci! These cookies WILL be an absolute favorite of mine, I guarantee it! I LOVE shortbread and that salted ganache!! WOW!! They look spectacular. Your photos have me wishing I could just grab one from the computer screen! Thanks so much for sharing this one!
You’re hooked! You will absolutely love these Mary Ann… The textures, flavors and just everything. They just come together so well! I love this one too! I hope you enjoy them… Tom too! xo