Hazelnut Balls

• 1 cup shelled hazelnuts (6 oz. approx.)
• 1 cup sifted unbleached flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 325F.
4. While the hazelnuts are still hot, rub them in a dish towel to remove most of their skin (some skin will remain).
5. Cool completely.
6. Place the hazelnuts and the remaining ingredients in a food processor and pulse until the mixture almost forms into a ball.
7. Transfer the dough to a work surface and work it to a smooth ball.
8. Place level teaspoonfuls of dough between the palms of your hands and roll into smooth balls.
9. Place the balls on 2 ungreased baking sheets with a little space between them.
10. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
11. Remove the baking sheets from the refrigerator, place in the oven, and bake one at a time for about 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden.
12. Remove from the oven, place the baking sheet on a wire rack, and let cool briefly (otherwise the cookies will crack), then place the cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.
13. To freeze the cookies, place them side by side in a foil pan lined with wax paper, cover with foil, and place in a zip-top bag.

hazelnuts, flour, sugar, vanilla, unsalted butter

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/hazelnut-balls (may not work)