Friday, December 19, 2014

Almond-Hazelnut Chocolate Crescents


Do you love chocolate and nuts as much as I do? Given only one kind of dessert to eat for the rest of my life, I would choose something with chocolate (dark) and nuts.  If you are shaking your head up and down in agreement and are still planning on doing a little Christmas cookie baking this weekend, I have a recipe for you!  Looking over the long list of Christmas Cookie recipes that I've saved on my computer, I found this recipe for Almond-Hazelnut Chocolate Crescents. We've all likely made the classic pecan crescents before.  I love their flaky, melt-in-mouth consistency but I wanted to try something new and the title really sounded like it would be my kind of cookie. They are, in a word, Delicious!

These are also, crispy and delicate like the original pecan crescents but with the rich, luscious flavor of chocolate, ground almonds and toasted hazelnuts.  


The drizzle of chocolate on top of these cookies makes them even more delicious and pretty - and we love pretty during the holidays, right?


Just look at that crispy and delicate texture I was telling you about.  I think I could have ground the hazelnuts even finer but they still have that almost sandy texture that I love about crescent cookies.

Another one of my routines at this time of year is drinking tea in the afternoon.  On cold, winter days winter it just hits the spot.  These crescents were the perfect afternoon snack with a warm cup of Chai tea.


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!  May you experience the wonder of the season as through the eyes of a 2-1/2 year old :-)  Now, bring on the snow!


Almond-Hazelnut Chocolate Crescent Cookies

Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens.com
Printable Recipe

Makes: about 48 cookies

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups finely ground almonds (you can find almonds already finely ground)
1/2 cup finely ground toasted hazelnuts (filberts), without skins preferably
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/4 cups butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted, for drizzling over cookies
In a 350F oven, toast the hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet for about 8 minutes.  Allow to cool.  When cool, transfer the hazelnuts to a food processor and pulse until finely ground but don't turn them into a paste. 

Combine flour, almonds, hazelnuts, and cocoa powder in a medium bowl and set aside. Beat butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric or stand mixer on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla and beat until combined.  Scrape the bowl occasionally with a spatula. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until combined. Cover and chill dough for about 2 hours until easy to handle.

Take spoonfuls of the dough and roll in your hands into 1-inch balls. On a flat surface, roll each ball into a short log with tapered ends and curve the log slightly into a crescent shape.  Place crescents 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. I use a silipat.

Bake in a 350F preheated oven for about 15 to 16 minutes or until edges are set. Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

When the cookies are cooled, drizzle the melted chocolate them in a zig-zag pattern. Let stand until chocolate sets or refrigerate for about 20 minutes.

66 comments:

  1. Beautiful post--beautiful boy! I love the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a child!! I'm baked out but these will make a perfect Valentine treat don't you think? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. I hear that we might get snow Christmas eve and day.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. Great idea, Bonnie - they would be perfect for Valentine's Day! Here is looks like rain and snow on Christmas Eve which would be great if it happens. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas to you and your family also!

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  2. Little Zane brought a tear to my eye!
    I am too tenderhearted about children I think..Or I should have had 10..or my children should have had more.
    They grow up in the blink of an eye..
    That darling innocence..perfection itself.
    Definitely printing these up too..Everything looks pretty..festive..warm,cozy and inviting.

    PS..You know what's good?While in Fl..Trader Joe's..Jacques loves their big dark choco bar..I never eat chocolate or choco bars..
    Or should I say never used to..we were so hungry our last vist at TJ everything looked good..especially the lady that offered us a piece of EXTRAVAGANZA..so I had a piec..Ohlala..limited edition I think she said for the holidays..it's their dk bar w/ the addition of ginger and almonds and cranberries.
    Mais vraiment vraiment délicieux!
    Thank you for this new recipe:)
    Happy Holidays again and again.xx

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    1. Thank you, M! Our poor Dane is so sick right now. Flu/pneumonia. Breaks my heart but he should be better by Christmas, hopefully. I will definitely look for those bars at TJs next time I get there! Yummers! Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family, Monique!

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  3. I adore chocolate and your crescent cookies could have come from a fine bake shop they are so pretty. Your two year old is adorable. Sometimes it's important to see Christmas through the eyes of children and remember when we believed in Santa. You can never replace those years.

    Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family.
    Sam

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    1. We are very lucky - he is a cutie :) It's so much fun sharing Christmas with little children again :)

      Merry Christmas to you and Meakin as well, Sam!

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  4. aww beautiful and delicious Susan!:)
    and the little is sooo cute!!
    Merry Christmas dear Susan!

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    1. Thank you, Gloria! Merry Christmas to you and your family too!

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  5. Hi Susan , what a wonderful Crescent with hazelnut and almonds chocolate sounds very delicious they look great too I love your Christmas tree at one of your grandsons help when you put on the ornaments it looks beautiful your tree too and the crescents.

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    1. Thank you very much, Rosa. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

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    2. hello Susan I wishing you a Happy New Year to come 2015 and your family see you next year.

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  6. These look fantastic..you still do have my address?? lol Can't believe how he has grown!

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  7. The cookies look great Susan, no doubt they're amazing! Merry Christmas, have fun with the kids:@)

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    1. Thanks much, Lynn! Merry Christmas you you and your family too!

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  8. They are lovely looking and I am sure that they taste delightful. My family is all done with the special cookies of Christmas...they want the ordinary cookies...Toll House, peanut butter, molasses. Sigh.

    Your liitle blondie is darling. What a dear photo of him.

    Merry On!

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    1. Yes, Merry On, Vee! Thanks so much. My family is used to being guinea pigs ;) They don't mind though. Merry Christmas to you.

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  9. So sweet! And those cookies look good too! :)

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  10. We LOVE nuts and chocolate so much!!! These crescents look so GOOD!
    Have a great holiday season, Susan!
    Angie

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  11. These will have to go into my cookie repertoire. They would be perfect by themselves but also alongside the white version of this cookie.

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    1. That's a great idea to do them both, Linda, thank you and Merry Christmas!

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  12. Merry Christmas Susan! Your cookies look delicious, we love crescent cookies, especially the chocolate almond hazelnut!! :) hope you have a wonderful time with your grandchildren!

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    1. Thank you, Michael! I know we will :) Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  13. Your sweet little guy is getting so big...delicious looking cookies, Susan.
    Merry Christmas!

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    1. He is! Thanks so much, Marigene, and Merry Christmas to you!

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  14. Dear Susan,I wish you from the deep of my heart a very Merry Christmas to you and your family,full of love and happiness, a warm hug !

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    1. Thank you so much, Chiara. Merry Christmas to you and thank you for your friendship.

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  15. Your cookies look absolutely delightful. Dark chocolate and nuts (almonds)-Delicious. These would pair nicely with a good cup of coffee and a glas of bubbly.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family. I am looking forward to all your great recipes in 2015.

    Velva

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    1. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Velva! I do like the idea of the glass of bubbly with these ;)

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  16. That is such a festive photo, Susan! Makes me happy just to look at it. Wishing you and your family a most Merry Christmas...simply love that last photo! So sweet.

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    1. He is a sweetie :) Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours, Barbara!

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  17. I'm sure your cookies are absolutely delicious. Your tree is lovely, I can see why it would be a wonder to both the young and old. I'm sorry that your beautiful little grandson is so sick. I hope he is well for Christmas. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday and a healthy and happy New Year.

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    1. He is finally starting to feel better - thank you, Karen, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, as well.

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  18. Chocolate crescents are such a sweet treat tome, I just love them! But by adding that hazelnut taste to them, I'll be in full bliss!

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  19. Yes, like you, I can't stop eating anything with chocolate and just about any kind of nuts!!! The last photo with your little one with the wonder of Christmas is simply priceless Susan!
    Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!
    xo
    Roz

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    1. Thanks so much, Roz, and the happiest of holidays to you as well.

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  20. Thank you for sharing this new recipe! I love your red mug ;o) And just look at how big little Zane has gotten.
    Rain for us too Susan, although we do have a little bit of white on the edges of our lawn. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

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    1. You're welcome, Debbie. It's a keeper! Thankfully, Dane is finally starting to feel better. Merry Christmas to you and your family also, Debbie!

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  21. Both these cookies and your Christmas tree ones look fabulous! Yes, to see the world as the little ones do - isn't that the magic? I think that is why I like to tell them I am Mrs. Claus - to see their eyes get big in wonder! How fun. Have a wonderful Christmas filled with love and family.

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    1. Thanks so much, Jacqueline! They are both winners :) Merry Christmas to you and your family also!

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  22. these look so good merry christmas sweet lady

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  23. I don't usually eat a lot of sweets, but I love chocolate and the other flavors in these cookies. I can almost taste how good they would be dunked in the coffee I'm sipping on.

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  24. These cookies are such classics --- I LOVE nuts and chocolate together! Have a wonderful holiday season --- it looks like you've got the holiday spirit covered!

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    1. I think I do :) Thanks so much, Sue, and a very happy holiday season to you and your family!

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  25. These crescents sound like such a delicious idea, adore the chocolatey nutella style goodness!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  26. These are lovely! And such a fun twist on the classic crescents. I would love to have a mix of both the vanilla and these chocolate versions on my cookie tray.

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  27. My mom always made crescents but never chocolate! Brilliant recipe and so pretty. Your grandson is adorable. Yes on the snow - send some our way! Merry Christmas :)

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    1. No snow here either! Thank you, Tricia, and Merry Christmas.

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  28. these crescent cookies look delish! We never made them in chocolate and would love to try this recipe. Your grandson is so precious! Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas! Enjoy ! Xoxo Anna and Liz

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    1. Thank you, Anna and Liz! Merry Christmas to you and your families!

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  29. Your cookies are beautiful. So is your darling two year old. Happy Holidays from my house to yours. Looking forward to more fun together in the New Year Susan.

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    1. Thanks so much, Penny, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you also!

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  30. They look so elegant and beautiful Susan! But on the other hand how couldn't they be delicious since they have chocolate? I wish to you a very Happy and Festive New Year!

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  31. This recipe looks like it perfectly balances the nutty with the sweet. Yummy!

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  32. Susan I was sure I posted something on these beautiful crescent cookies. I must have gotten side tracked mid stream. These sound wonderful and love all your colorful decorations and that cute little boy at the tree. Hope your holidays were bright and cheerful! All the Best!

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  33. Oh Susan, it's been far too long since I've been on your blog. When I switched away from blogger, I seem to have lost all my blog feeds. Glad to have stumbled upon you once again. As always, your photos are incredibly tempting. Pinning this recipe for later. Hope you'll stop by and visit my new blog site.

    Patricia @ butteryum.org

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  34. wonderfully done looks delicious Happy Holidays

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  35. This look scrumptious, Susan! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year

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