The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookies: A Dorie Greenspan Recipe You’ll Adore

Prepare to elevate your cookie game with a recipe that transcends the ordinary: Dorie Greenspan’s celebrated Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookies. This isn’t just any cookie; it’s a masterpiece crafted by a culinary legend, designed to deliver an unparalleled experience of rich flavor and perfect texture. If you’re searching for a chocolate chip cookie that stands out from the crowd, one that combines classic comfort with a touch of gourmet sophistication, your quest ends here.

What Makes These Cookies Truly Exceptional?

Dorie Greenspan, a name synonymous with baking excellence and a multiple James Beard Award winner, brings her signature touch to this beloved classic. Her “Edouard’s Chocolate Chip Cookies” recipe, featured in her highly acclaimed book Baking Chez Moi, redefines what a chocolate chip cookie can be. Here’s why these cookies are destined to become your new favorite:

• A Master’s Touch: Originating from the genius of Dorie Greenspan, whose expertise has graced countless kitchens through bestsellers like Baking with Julia and Around My French Table, this recipe carries the hallmark of an author celebrated for making complex baking accessible and delightful.
• Unforgettable Nutty Depth: The inclusion of hazelnut or almond flour is the true game-changer. It infuses every bite with a profoundly rich, nutty flavor that permeates the entire cookie. Unlike cookies with chunky nuts that interrupt the smooth experience, the fine flour provides a seamless, extraordinary taste without compromising the tender, gooey, and velvety texture that defines a perfect chocolate chip cookie.
• Decadent Chocolate Chunks: Forget sparse chips! This recipe calls for generous chunks of chocolate distributed throughout the cookie. Each bite promises a harmonious contrast: a crisp, golden-brown bottom giving way to a soft, irresistibly tender center, punctuated by luscious pockets of melted chocolate.

A Personal Encounter with a Culinary Icon

My first introduction to Dorie Greenspan wasn’t in a bustling kitchen, but amidst a rather uninspiring lunch buffet at a food conference. It struck me as ironic that a gathering of esteemed cookbook authors, food photographers, and culinary movers and shakers would be served such bland fare. One would expect a feast worthy of literary prose, or at least a meal memorable in a positive way.

But then, as it often is at such events, the food itself wasn’t the primary draw. How often can one truly say that at a food conference? Our purpose was to learn, to share knowledge, and to connect with peers. The conference lunch merely served as a caloric pit stop, fueling our energy for the day’s insights and collaborations. The real culinary adventures, of course, always begin after the sessions conclude—that’s when the true exploration of food and wine commences!

Dorie is instantly recognizable, her vibrant personality shining through her distinctive features: short-cropped hair, round-rimmed glasses, and an ever-present, infectious smile. She radiates happiness and warmth, possessing that rare quality of making everyone around her feel cherished and unique. Her generosity of spirit is as legendary as her recipes.

For anyone passionate about baking or French-inspired cuisine, Dorie’s name is undoubtedly familiar. Her extensive bibliography is a testament to her mastery and influence. You’ve likely encountered her classic works, which include: Around My French Table (I highly recommend her Chicken in a Pot recipe – you can find it on Dorie’s website), Baking with Julia (a collaborative masterpiece with Julia Child herself), and Paris Sweets. To explore her full collection of culinary treasures, you can browse her entire list of cookbooks.

The Story Behind “Edouard’s Chocolate Chip Cookies”

From her much-anticipated book, Baking Chez Moi – Recipes from My Paris Home to Your Home Anywhere, I immediately gravitated towards “Edouard’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.” This particular recipe stood out as a brilliant rendition of the classic American-style chocolate chip cookie, elevated by one exquisite addition: hazelnut flour. It’s a testament to Dorie’s ability to find unique twists that transform familiar favorites.

Dorie herself recounts the charming origin of this recipe:

“When Edouard Bobin, the co-owner of one of the sweetest small bistros in Paris, Le Pantruche, said he would give me the recipe for his favorite hazelnut cookie, I knew the minute I read the one-word title, Cookies, that chocolate chips would be involved.”

She continues, beautifully describing the versatility and universal appeal of these treats:

“These cookies are good warm or at room temperature; good with coffee, good with tea and terrific with milk (a beverage I’ve never seen a grown French person sip); and even good with Armagnac.”

– Dorie Greenspan

The Secret Ingredient: Hazelnut or Almond Flour

The true genius of this recipe lies in the hazelnut or almond flour. This finely ground nut flour imparts an extraordinary richness and a deep, complex nutty flavor that permeates every morsel of the cookie. Unlike whole nuts, which can sometimes interrupt the smooth, chewy, and tender texture of a chocolate chip cookie, the flour blends seamlessly into the dough, ensuring a consistent, velvety experience. It’s this subtle integration that allows the delicate nut flavor to shine without being obtrusive.

You have the flexibility to use either hazelnut flour or almond flour (often labeled as almond meal). Both are crafted from super-fine ground blanched nuts, ensuring a light, powdery consistency. Look for labels that specify “hazelnut meal” or “almond meal” for these premium products.

For convenience and quality, Bob’s Red Mill offers both excellent almond meal/flour and hazelnut meal/flour, making it easier to source this essential ingredient for your baking endeavors.

I personally adore the hazelnut flour; its consistency is so incredibly fine, almost powdery, which ensures it integrates perfectly into the dough for that even, luxurious flavor distribution.

Mastering the Bake: Tips for Perfect Cookies

To truly achieve the Dorie Greenspan standard, I followed her instructions precisely. And yes, that included embracing her delightful suggestion of pairing the very first cookie with a glass of Armagnac! It’s a small indulgence that perfectly complements the rich flavors of the cookie.

One of the joys of baking at home is the ability to select the finest ingredients, and in our case, that starts right in our backyard. Our beloved hens generously provide the eggs, including a couple of special ladies who lay beautiful olive green eggs. The unique hue of these shells always brings a nostalgic smile to my face, reminding me of the drab olive green paint and deluxe wood panels of our old 1970s Chevrolet Impala Station Wagon from my childhood.

Each of our hens lays a distinctively colored egg; I can actually tell you which hen is responsible for each one! This personal connection to the ingredients, knowing exactly where they come from, adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the baking process.

And the beauty isn’t just on the outside. Cracking open an olive egg reveals a creamy, almost blue-tinged interior shell, a subtle hint of the fresh, vibrant yolks within.

The Art of Ingredients: From Farm to Cookie

Beyond the fresh eggs, two other ingredients deserve special attention for truly exceptional cookies:

Use Real Sea Salt: The type of salt you use makes a significant difference. Fine sea salt, rather than regular table salt, offers a cleaner, more nuanced salinity that enhances the sweetness of the cookie without any harshness. It’s a small detail that contributes immensely to the overall flavor balance.

Choose Quality Chocolate: While chocolate chips are convenient, Dorie’s recipe truly shines with coarsely chopped chocolate. I opted for Scharffen Berger 70% Bittersweet Baking Chunks for their deep flavor and superior melting qualities. The beauty of chopping a good quality dark or bittersweet chocolate bar yourself is that you get varying sizes of chocolate pieces, leading to delightful pockets of melted chocolate in every bite.

The Irresistible Finish: Serving and Enjoying

Once baked to golden perfection, these cookies are a marvel. The crisp edges, the soft, chewy center, and the luscious pools of melted chocolate combine with that deep, nutty undertone from the hazelnut flour to create a truly luxurious treat. And as Dorie suggests, they are incredibly versatile in their enjoyment.

Pair them with a tall, cold glass of milk for classic comfort, or elevate the experience with a cup of robust coffee or delicate tea. For an unexpected twist, embrace Dorie’s French sensibility and enjoy them with a sophisticated sip of Armagnac. However you choose to indulge, these cookies promise a moment of pure bliss.

Join the Baking Journey: Cookbook Giveaway!

Are you ready to explore more of Dorie Greenspan’s incredible recipes? We’re thrilled to be giving away a copy of Dorie Greenspan’s captivating Baking Chez Moi cookbook! This is your chance to bring the magic of her Parisian home kitchen into yours and discover even more delightful creations.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to expand your baking repertoire with a book from one of the most respected names in the culinary world. Enter the giveaway here for your chance to win!