Filled Hazelnut Sandies Food

HAZELNUT SANDIES

Steps:

• *To roast hazelnuts, put them on a baking sheet and toast at 350F for 12-15 minutes, giving the pan a shake a couple of times during cooking. Let cool, then grind in a food processor.
• Cream the butter and sugar together until well combined and fluffy. Beat in the extract.
• Whisk the flour and salt together and add, along with the hazelnuts. Mix until the dough comes together. If it seems very dry you can add a teaspoon of ice water.
• Turn the dough out onto parchment paper and bring together with your hands. Form the dough into a firm log, about 11" long. Chill the dough for at least an hour.
• Preheat oven to 325F
• Slice the dough in 3/8 inch slices. If your slices are not perfectly round, you can nudge them into shape with your fingers. Roll each cookie in sugar to coat both sides and the edges. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes. The cookies will still be pale.
• Cool on a rack.

PECAN SANDIE CARAMEL TART

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350˚. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven, stirring once, 10 minutes; let cool. Set aside 1 cup perfect pecan halves for topping.
• Transfer the remaining 1 cup pecans to a food processor with the flour, confectioners' sugar and salt; process until the nuts are finely ground. Add the butter and egg yolk and pulse until the dough is moistened and starts to clump together. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Line the crust with parchment paper or foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until firm and dry around the edges, about 25 minutes. Remove the parchment and weights and continue baking until the crust is lightly browned all over, about 15 more minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Combine the granulated sugar, golden syrup and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; stir until dissolved. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the mixture turns a deep amber color, thickens slightly and registers 300˚ on a candy thermometer, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the diced butter, 1 piece at a time, until smooth and thickened. Stir in the heavy cream, vanilla and salt. Let cool slightly, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Pour the filling into the cooled crust and arrange the reserved pecans on top. Refrigerate until cold and set, at least 3 hours or overnight.

WALNUT SANDIES

Steps:

• 1. Cream together first four ingredients.
• 2. Mix together dry ingredients including 1 cup of the finely chopped walnuts, making sure to set aside 1/2 cup of them for the glaze.
• 3. Combine all ingredients and mix until well blended.
• 4. Place dough on sheet of waxed paper and roll into a long cylinder approximately 2" to 3" in diameter. Chill dough for 1 hour or until firm enough to slice with sharp knife.
• 5. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• 6. Unwrap dough, slice 1/2" thick pieces and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
• 7. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are slightly brown.