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Wednesday, April 17

Hazelnut Squares

Time’s been flying by here. Probably around where you are too. I can’t believe it’s already mid April! I welcome it, with the sun and warm temperatures.

In early March, a certain bff came for a brief visit before we traveled to Spain for a grand celebration. And days after returning we hosted family from India. And it’s not over yet. My parents arrive for a visit at the end of this week.

To welcome the guests, I've kept sweet somethings on hand.  I made these for the first guest.  They’re called mocha cuts, but I would call them hazelnut squares with mocha topping.

And I am really excited about finding a food blog in Germany. The author makes amazing food and photographs it, almost daily! I highly recommend browsing through the site and try it without your mouth watering.(There's an English translation option.)



Hazelnut Squares
Yield- 35 pieces

100 grams of butter, room temperature
100 grams of brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon Rum
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
60 grams hazelnuts ground medium fine
50 grams dark chocolate (68% or darker), grated
125 grams all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 tablespoons brewed coffee, cooled
200 grams of powdered sugar

Line a 12 x 9 inch (30 x 24 cm) jelly roll pan with baking paper. Butter the paper to prevent sticking.

Preheat oven to 350°F or 175°C.

Whisk the butter and sugar with a hand mixer. Stir in the egg, then rum. Then stir in spices and nuts. Stir in grated chocolate. In a separate bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder. With a spatula, stir in the flour mixture into the butter & sugar. Do not overmix.

Mold the dough evenly in the pan. Place the oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and immediately cut into 1 1/2 inch or 4cm squares. (Using a rule helps immensely.)

Combine the coffee and powdered sugar in a bowl. Pour the topping over the warm squares, making sure to cover most of the surface area. Top with grated chocolate.