CHOCOLATE-ALMOND PRALINE COOKIES

Chocolate-Almond Praline Cookies image

You can't see the candied almonds in these cookies, but you'll taste them for sure.

Provided by Chris Morocco

Categories Bon Appétit Dessert Cookies Almond Chocolate Bake

Yield Makes about 24

Number Of Ingredients 12

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Ingredients

3/4 cup skin-on almonds
Nonstick vegetable oil spray (optional)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoon unsalted butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup bittersweet chocolate wafers (disks, pistoles, fèves) or chocolate chips
Flaky sea salt

Steps:

Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°F. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet on upper rack, tossing halfway through, until slightly darkened in color and fragrant, 6-8 minutes. Let cool.
Gather almonds into a tight pile on a nonstick silicone baking mat or a rimmed baking sheet coated with nonstick spray. Cook granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, undisturbed, until it begins to liquefy and turn golden brown around the edges. Use a heatproof rubber spatula to incorporate melted sugar into unmelted sugar and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until all sugar is melted and caramel turns a medium amber color, 6-8 minutes. Carefully pour caramel over almonds and let cool.
Break almond mixture into large pieces and transfer to a food processor. Process, scraping down sides occasionally, until praline paste is very smooth and creamy (it should be as smooth as peanut butter with a slightly oily sheen; this takes time, so be patient), 12-16 minutes.
Cook butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until it foams, then browns, about 5 minutes. Let cool until just warm.
Whisk flour, kosher salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat brown butter, praline paste, and brown sugar in a large bowl until mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium, add egg yolk and vanilla, and beat just to combine. Reduce speed to low and gradually add dry ingredients. Mix until mostly combined. Using a wooden spoon, mix in chocolate. Scrape out dough onto a sheet of parchment paper and roll up into a 1 3/4"-diameter log. Chill until very firm, at least 2 hours.
Reheat oven to 350°F. Slice dough into generous 1/4"-thick slices with a serrated knife and place on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1" apart. Sprinkle with sea salt and bake until cookies are firm around the edges and slightly darker, 9-10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets.
Do Ahead
Praline paste can be made 1 week ahead; store airtight at room temperature. Dough can be made 3 days ahead; wrap in plastic and keep chilled, or freeze up to 1 month.