Almond Nutella Sandwich Cookies

Almond Nutella Sandwich Cookies
Recipe by Dragon

Let's start 2013 on a sweet note! These decadent bites of yumminess were a big hit over the past holiday season and I received many requests for the recipe. I'm not one to deny my friends and family anything so.....here you go. My wish for all of you is a happy, healthy and sweet New Year. Enjoy and xo!

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen

Ingredients:
3/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Icing sugar or flour for dusting
Nutella spread
1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate, melted
1/2 cup crushed almond slices

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add the almond and vanilla extracts.

2. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt.

3. Stir flour mixture into the butter mixture making sure to combine thoroughly without over mixing. Cover the dough and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.

4 Preheat oven to 375F. Grease your baking sheet or line with parchment paper. Dust  your work surface with icing sugar or flour to help keep the dough from sticking. Roll out the dough to 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick. Thinner cookies will be crisper.

5. Cut out rectangles with a cookie cutter. After cutting the cookies, carefully transfer the cookies to the baking sheet. Place the cookies in the fridge to cool for 10 minutes before baking.

6. Bake 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer cookies to cooling racks to cool completely.

7. To make the sandwich cookie, take a cookie and on the back of it, spread a thin layer of Nutella over the surface. Place another cookie on top of the Nutella spread to complete the sandwich.

8. To decorate the cookie, dip 1/4 the cookie in melted chocolate and let the excess drip off. Sprinkle some crushed almonds over of the chocolate. Place cookies in the fridge to set the chocolate.

9. Store cookies in an air tight container between layers of parchment paper.