Hazelnut milk with ganache thumbprints
European 35 Mins Prep · 30 Mins Cook
- To make the hazelnut milk, place the hazelnuts in a bowl. Add the cold water and allow the hazelnuts to soak in the refrigerator, covered, for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
- Once the hazelnuts have soaked overnight, transfer to a blender and add ¼ tsp vanilla extract. Blitz until completely smooth and white in colour. Line a fine-meshed sieve with a coffee filter or cheesecloth and set over a large container. Strain the hazelnut milk and set the pulp aside. If you are using a coffee filter, this step can take as long as 30 minutes or longer. Refrigerate the milk until ready to serve.
- Preheat the oven to 160°C, gas mark 2.
- To make the thumbprint cookies, place 125g of softened butter and caster sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat until light and creamy – approx. 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, chop 100g of dark chocolate and place it in a bowl placed over a pot of simmering water. Melt and then cool slightly.
- Add the remaining vanilla extract, egg yolk and the cooled, melted dark chocolate. Then add the sifted flour and cocoa to form a soft dough. Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
- Roll tablespoons of the mixture into balls and place on 2 large lined baking trays. Use your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon to press an indent in the middle of each cookie. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and allow the cookies to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, make the ganache. Chop the remaining dark chocolate and place it in a medium bowl along with the remaining butter. Heat the cream to just below boiling point and pour over the chocolate and butter. Allow to stand for a few minutes then whisk until smooth.
- Drop or pipe spoonfuls of the ganache into the middle of the cookies.
- Serve the cookies with the chilled hazelnut milk.
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