Hazelnuts From The Great Northwest

One of my favorite nuts grows right here in Oregon. I love hazelnut flavorings in coffee, and chocolates and cookies.

From the cool Willamette Valley of northwest Oregon comes the grand hazelnut that has been cultivated for over a hundred years.
Many agree that our fertile Willamette Valley produces the world's best hazelnuts. In fact, more than 99 percent of the U.S. production comes from Oregon.

Here is one easy recipe you may want to try, but beware they are addictive.

Hazelnut Butter Crescents

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/4 cups toasted hazelnuts, ground
Beat together butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Mix in flour and all but 1/3 cup hazelnuts. Divide dough into quarters. Roll out each portion on working surface to 30 inch rope, about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 2 inch lengths. Roll pieces in remaining ground hazelnuts to coat lightly. Curve into crescents. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake in 350 degree oven 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are golden on bottom. Cool on racks.

I often dust them with powdered sugar before serving them. They melt in your mouth!

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Recipe courtesy of Northwest Hazelnut Company