Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Candies
- 36 whole blanched hazelnuts (about 1/3 cup)
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 cup toasted rice cereal
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the hazelnuts on a small baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Let cool.
- Transfer the hazelnuts to a cup and line the baking sheet with wax paper.
- Meanwhile, combine the confectioners' sugar, rice cereal and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, about 20 times.
- Add the chocolate-hazelnut spread and melted butter.
- Pulse until the mixture comes together in clumps, about 15 times; the mixture should be dry to the touch but hold together when pressed.
- Roll the mixture into teaspoon-size balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Press a hazelnut into each ball and then press the dough back into a ball shape, leaving part of the hazelnut exposed at the top.
- Freeze the balls at least 20 minutes to let them firm up.
- Put the chocolate chips, shortening and a pinch of salt in a small microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave until the chips on the bottom start to melt, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
- Stir until the mixture is melted and smooth.
- Gently stick a toothpick into the upper half of a ball, avoiding the hazelnut, and dip into the melted chocolate, leaving the top half uncoated.
- Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and return the ball to the baking sheet.
- Smooth over the hole from the toothpick with your fingertip.
- Repeat with the rest of the balls.
- Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.
- You can store the balls covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
blanched hazelnuts, sugar, rice cereal, kosher salt, chocolatehazelnut spread, unsalted butter, chocolate chips, vegetable shortening
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/dark-chocolate-and-hazelnut-candies.html (may not work)