Chocolate Chip Nutella Cookies

So the other day while on a pinning spree I came across this cookie recipe. 

Since I have a few different Nutella cookie recipes, I renamed my version to be a little more specific. 

I changed up the recipe just a tad to fit our taste. Now, in some cases "fit our taste" is loosely translated to "I didn't pay attention or got a little carried away"...

To start, sift together your dry ingredients with the exception of the sugars. 

Next, cream together your butter, sugar, and brown sugar. 

This is where my first change to the recipe comes in.... I would like to say that I used an entire stick of butter because I knew it would be fantastic, but ALAS my friends.... I definitely did not pay attention to the recipe and just tossed the whole stick in the mixer. The cookies turned out beautiful, despite my inability to read thoroughly, so it works. And quite well, if I do say so myself.

Then add your Nutella. Ooooohhhhh..... Am I the only one who puts the spoon and measuring cup to the side after adding it, just so I can lick them clean???? 

Mix it! Mix it good! HEY! 

Next up! A splash O' vanilla. I have developed a habit of just tossing some in there. Measuring is overrated anyway. Case in point... The butter. 

Then your egg. Your lonely little egg. 

Mix them well and then it is time for some dry ingredients! 

Mix your dry ingredients in with your butter/sugar mixture JUST until incorporated. 

Now it is time for some chocolate chips! 

Once again I find myself ignoring measurements. BUT, it's chocolate chips! Can you really mess that up? 

That's what I thought. I find it is best to do this part by hand. For me they are distributed more evenly when I fold them in instead of using the mixer. Plus, I know I won't overwork the dough. 

Now you are ready to bake. (Side note, another thing I changed... I left out the hazelnuts. My guys are nutty enough and like their sweets sans nuts, so I leave them out. I have made them with the nuts and they are just as delicious, but they prefer the change. That part is up to you.)

Plop some delicious little dough blobs onto a baking sheet. Blobs are best. I rolled them trying to make perfect little cookies once and they ended up with a different consistency. Blob is best.

Bake for exactly 10 minutes, cool, devour like a savage beast.

 They are very good cookies. I like to think my overuse of butter and chocolate chips is the reasoning for this and that I am secretly a culinary genius. 

With that said, you are welcome. 

Now go bake some cookies! 

Now- The formal recipe! (with my changes followed by a ***)

Nutella Cookies
(makes 30 cookies) ***or a lot less if you are like me and make huge cookies so you can try to justify eating a massive amount of cookie by saying you only had one...

1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon *** I leave out the cinnamon. For me it overpowers the cookie. But, that is up to you. 
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
7 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temp. *** or 8 tbsp because you toss the whole stick in knowing it will be even better. 2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2/3 cup Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract *** While we aren't measuring, just toss some of this in blindly also! Why not. 
1 large egg
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips *** Or however many end up in there after you get carried away...
1/2 cup toasted & skinned hazelnuts, coarsely chopped *** Either with or without, they are delicious.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Sift together flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside dry ingredients.

Cream together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in Nutella and vanilla extract. Mix in egg.

Add flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Add chocolate chips and hazelnuts.

Drop tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart onto parchment lined baking sheets. Bake for about 11 minutes until the edges look set. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then carefully remove to cooling racks.