Chocolate Sugar Cookie & Nutella Sandwiches

Apparently it's Valentine's Day this Friday. So I made us cookies. Adorable, mini, heart shaped cookies filled with nutella.

And by us, I really mean my book club friends that I met with last night. But that's okay, because these cookies are so simple you could easily make them yourself for you and/or your special Valentine or Valentines.

As much as I love all things chocolate and hearts, there's a particular sort of dread with any sort of major holiday when you work in the service industry, though especially in a restaurant. People get aggressive, obnoxious, and downright mean. I don't want to rant about details, but if you go out to eat this Friday, please try and be extra nice to the staff. They'll appreciate it and love you forever.

If you do or you don't have plans this weekend, make these cookies. You'll love them, your special someone or your friends will love them, and anyone you encounter will love them. Because let's be real, anything that is 1) chocolate, 2)heart-shaped, 3) mini and adorable in size, 4)perfectly soft, and 5) filled with Nutella MUST be a wonderful thing. What more could you want?

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

yield depends entirely on cookie cutter size (I got about 45 mini sandwiches)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nutella

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the egg and vanilla. Turn mixer down to low speed. Slowly add in dry ingredients, mixing until everything is just incorporated. Wrap dough in plastic wrap, forming a disc, and refrigerate until firm (about 1-2 hours at least).

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line baking sheets with silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.

On a floured surface, roll out dough to about a 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out the shapes and then set cookies on the sheets. Bake for 5-10 minutes (5-7 for minis, 8-10 for regular sized cookies) or until the cookies have just begun to set. Let cool for 5 minutes and then transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Pair cookies up and spread the middles with nutella. Press together and store in an airtight container.

[source: adapted from Annie's Eats]