Dark Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Cookies

I got this recipe from Maple Spice. These cookies are so delicious! They're like jaffa cookies, yum  yum yum! I ate my body weight in them this afternoon and now feel a little bit ill so try not to do that :)

Dark Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Cookies
makes 18

Ingredients


180g vegan butter (3/4 cup)
140g golden caster sugar (2/3 cups) or regular granulated sugar. (I used evaporated sugar can juice)
200g GF plain flour (1 1/2 cups - level)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp fine orange zest, I use a microplane grater.
1 tsp vanilla extract
100g dark chocolate chips or a chopped bar (2/3 cups)
80g chopped roasted skinned hazelnuts (2/3 cups)

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line a couple of baking sheets with baking paper.

Place walnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.
Remove and transfer to a plate to cool enough that you can handle them.
Now chop them (or as I did put them in a zip lock bag and smash them with a rolling pin).
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
In a large bowl beat together the vegan butter and sugar until light and well blended. Add the orange zest and vanilla extract and mix well.
Add the flour mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until it just comes together.
Add the chocolate and hazelnuts and stir until evenly mixed.
Drop by a tablespoon onto the lined sheets a couple of inches apart, as these don't spread out a lot while baking don't pile them too high, press down on them with a fork.
Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until lightly golden at the edges and firm to the touch.
Don't worry if they seem soft in the middle because they will be fine once cooled.
Remove from the oven and leave on the tray for a couple of minutes then transfer to a wire rack to fully cool.