HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

• Chocolate-Hazelnut Smooches

• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup orange sprinkles, or orange sugar
• 1 (9-ounce) package of chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped (recommended: Hershey's)

• 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

  2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

  3. In another medium bowl, place the chocolate hazelnut spread, butter, and both sugars. Using a hand mixer, cream the ingredients together, about 3 minutes.

  4. Add the egg and vanilla and blend until incorporated.

  Stir in the dry ingredients, just until incorporated.

  5. Shape the cookie dough into walnut-sized balls.

  Roll the balls in the orange sprinkles or orange sugar, pressing to adhere.

  Place the cookies on a heavy cookie sheet about 4 inches apart.

  6. Bake for 8 minutes.

  Remove the cookies from the oven.

  7. Quickly place a chocolate kiss in the middle of each cookie.

  Return the cookies to the oven and bake for another 3 minutes.

  Cool the cookies on a wire rack.

• Recipe: Giada De Laurentiis