Recipe

Hazelnut Rochers

These are incredibly easy to make and unbelievable!! trust me on this. you won't be able to identify the taste if you didn't make them. they are really one of the best cookies I have ever made. Although they do mystify me. When I saw the recipe I assumed you would beat the egg whites and fold them in-but not so. you just process them in the FP. I have no idea what gives this cookie its body-but it has plenty of it! Who am I to question-they are incredible. order the hazelnuts right now and make them as soon as they come. Tell me how you liked them.

(you have to chill this overnight so plan ahead)

12 oz (2 1/2 cups) BLANCHED toasted Hazelnuts
1 1/2 cups Confectioner's sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 large egg whites
3 1/2 teaspoons orange rind
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice.

Fine sugar for sanding*

On the subject of hazelnuts. You will not find blanched hazelnuts in the store-and DO NOT attempt to do it yourself. I did this last year and it took me four hours to skin them. This year I was smart-bought them on line at:
www.Nutsonline.com.
much easier. They are blanched but not toasted so you do need to toast them.

toast Hazelnuts in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes. Let cool about 30 minutes.

Put nuts, confectioner's sugar, and salt in Food processor. process till powdery and hazelnuts are completely broken down.
Add egg whites, orange rind and orange juice until combined. transfer to airtight container and refrigerate overnight.

NEXT DAY:
preheat oven to 350
Nest 2 baking sheets (this prevents the cookies from browning underneath before they are cooked). Line top sheet with Parchment paper. Drop by tablespoons on to lined sheet-spacing about 1" apart. loosely shape them into a mound and sprinkle with sanding sugar*.

(refrigerate remaining batter till ready to use)

Bake cookies rotating pan from front to back halfway through, until golden-about 20-23 minutes. let cool completely on sheet on a wire rack (place cookie pan on wire rack to let it cool faster and keep cookie from sweating). Repeat with remaining batter.

Sanding sugar: Place 1/2 cup of regular sugar in a FP and process till it is very fine-but not too powdery.

Orange Rind. Best tool-Microplaner:


as you can see (sort of) also works great for fresh spices such as nutmeg. Great all around tool That is very cheap!