Hazelnut Twists

Name: Hazelnut Twists
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H20M0.000S
Yield: 20 to 24 twists
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 1/2 cup skinned hazelnuts; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; Two 8-by-10-inch sheets puff pastry (or 1 box), thawed in the fridge; All-purpose flour, for dusting; 1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water or milk, to make an egg wash; 1/4 cup grated semisweet chocolate (grated on a small-holed grater)

Getting reviews...

Believe me when I tell you, these are ridiculously good. You can use whatever nuts you have on hand. For me, it's hazelnuts--but peanuts or almonds would be delicious too. Sometimes I toast up a batch or two of the nuts and keep them on hand for last-minute desserts like these, or put them in salads or yogurt with some honey. These twists are amazing on their own or divine with my Affogato recipe.

Level: Intermediate

Total: 1 hr 20 min (includes chilling and cooling times)
Active: 25 min

Yield: 20 to 24 twists

Level: Intermediate

Total: 1 hr 20 min (includes chilling and cooling times)
Active: 25 min

Yield: 20 to 24 twists

Ingredients

1/2 cup skinned hazelnuts

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Two 8-by-10-inch sheets puff pastry (or 1 box), thawed in the fridge

All-purpose flour, for dusting

1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water or milk, to make an egg wash

1/4 cup grated semisweet chocolate (grated on a small-holed grater)

Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer. Toast the hazelnuts in the oven until lightly golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Increase the temperature to 400 degrees F and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
Add the hazelnuts and sugar to a food processor and pulse until the hazelnuts are finely ground but not pureed.
Take a sheet of puff pastry and place in on a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll out the puff pastry so it's about 1/2 inch bigger on all 4 sides. Brush the surface of the pastry with some egg wash and sprinkle half of the nut-sugar mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle over half of the grated chocolate and, using your hands, press down gently so the topping can adhere to the pastry a bit better. Cut the sheet of pastry into 3/4-inch slices using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter. Give each strip 2 or 3 twists and place them on your prepared baking sheets. Brush them carefully with some more egg wash and pop them in the freezer for 15 minutes. Repeat with the remaining pastry and topping ingredients.
Bake the twists until lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Cook’s Note

Mix it up! Use sweet or savory fillings. For a savory idea, try grated Parmigiano-Reggiano plus chopped thyme or oregano, or Asiago cheese with a pinch of cayenne--so good!!