Hazelnut Spritz

1/2 c Hazelnuts or filberts;

-toasted 1 c Unsalted butter; room temp

1/2 c Confectioners` sugar

1 ts Vanilla

2 c All-purpose flour

Chocolate frosting: 1/2 c Semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tb Heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. A plain baking sheet need not be greased. Put the nuts into the food processor and grind them until very fine. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until light. Add the ground nuts and flour. Mix until smooth. Put the dough into a cookie press with a star or ridged tip and press into long, narrow strips. Cut into 4-inch pieces. Shape the strips into rings and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, just until lightly browned. Slide baked cookies

on the parchment off the baking sheet onto the countertop to cool, or place onto a wire rack to cool. While the cookies bake, combine the chocolate chips and cream in a small glass bowl. Microwave at high power 1 minute at a time, or place over simmering water, stirring until melted. Dip cooled cookies in the chocolateso that ends are coated by 1/2-inch. Place on the parchment or on waxed paper to harden. SHOW #BD1A59 -----