Hazelnut Cookies

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Place the hazelnuts in a food processor and grind coarsely. Reserve 1/4 cup of the hazelnuts. Grind the remaining nuts fine and add the oil. Blend the mixture thoroughly into a hazelnut butter. Set aside.

Step 3

Cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy (this can be done in the washed food processor or with an electric mixer in a bowl). Beat in the hazelnut butter, the egg and the vanilla. Mix thoroughly.

Step 4

Sift the flour and add with the baking soda and the salt. Mix thoroughly and add the reserved hazelnuts. Using a teaspoon, form the dough into balls and arrange them 2 inches apart on baking sheets that have been greased or lined with parchment paper. Using the prongs of a fork that have been dipped into flour to prevent sticking, flatten the balls into 1 1/2 inch rounds (Tip: If you want a clearly visible criss-cross design on the cookies, chill dough for 30 minutes before doing so).

Step 5

Bake in the middle of the oven for 8-to-9 minutes or until the cookies are golden. Cool on racks. The cookies will keep for about a week in a sealed jar.