Soft & Buttery Hazelnut Cookies (A High‑Protein Baking Upgrade)

If you love warm, buttery hazelnut flavor, these soft hazelnut cookies are an easy, crowd‑pleasing treat. They’re simple to make, packed with roasted hazelnuts, and perfect for anyone looking to elevate their baking with more nutrition. While this isn’t a traditional high protein recipe, adding nut flours or finely ground hazelnuts naturally boosts protein — making these cookies a smarter alternative to typical sweets and a great addition to your high protein baking snacks lineup.

Handy Farms’ regeneratively grown California hazelnuts deliver rich flavor, natural oils, and clean, whole‑food protein. They’re a delicious way to replace processed high protein powder for baking with real ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups roasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, optional

How to Make Hazelnut Cookies

1. Roast Your Hazelnuts

Roast raw hazelnuts at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool, then chop. Roasting intensifies flavor and brings out natural oils — perfect for cookies and any high protein flour blend you want to experiment with.

2. Cream Butter & Sugar

Beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.

4. Add Hazelnuts

Fold in roasted hazelnuts (and chocolate chips if you want extra richness). The crunchy hazelnuts add texture and natural protein, making these cookies a more wholesome option than typical sweets.

5. Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F. Scoop dough onto a parchment‑lined baking sheet. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden and centers are soft. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.

Tips for Perfect Hazelnut Cookies

• Toast your hazelnuts for deeper flavor.

• Don’t overbake — soft centers = buttery, chewy cookies.

• Use freshly chopped nuts for the best crunch.

• Add chocolate for a classic hazelnut‑chocolate pairing.

Why You’ll Love This Hazelnut Cookie Recipe

These cookies are simple, comforting, and full of roasted hazelnut flavor. They’re perfect for holidays, afternoon coffee, or anytime you want a homemade treat with more natural protein than traditional cookies. If you’re exploring nut‑based baking or experimenting with high protein flour