Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

As if chocolate chip cookies need to be any sweeter, English toffee adds a crunchy smoothness and hazelnuts add a touch of sophistication.

1/2 C. old-fashioned oats
2 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. unsalted butter, room temperature
1 C. (packed) light brown sugar
1 C. sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 ounces English toffee candy (recommended: Heath or Skor bar), finely chopped
1 C. hazelnuts, toasted, husked, and chopped
1 (12-oz.) bag semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper. Finely chop the oats in a food processor. Transfer the oats to a medium bowl. Mix in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars in a large bowl until fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and stir just until blended. Stir in the toffee, hazelnuts, and chocolate chips.

For each cookie, drop 1 rounded tablespoonful of dough onto sheet, spacing 1-inch apart (do not flatten dough). Bake until the cookies are golden (cookies will flatten slightly), about 15 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely. (The cookies can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

Editor's Note: When we made these cookies they were extremely sweet. You could easily use a 1/2 C. of brown sugar and a 1/2 C. white sugar and still have a sweet cookie.