Hazelnut Cake with Nutella Glaze

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...One of autumn's pleasures is the profusion of nuts that flood Oregon's markets and farm stands. I buy them in quantity at that time, and freeze walnuts and hazelnuts to use throughout the remainder of the year.  May tends to be a month of overlap and those lovely nutmeats sitting in the freezer need to be used, so space can be made for berries that are starting to come in.  This simple cake is one I make when my freezer is in transition. It is a Bavarian hazelnut cake that is much like one I had as a child. This is an exceptional snack cake, and I know those of you who try it, will love it. The cake and glaze both contain hazelnuts, and the cake, while unsophisticated, has a European air about it. I like to make this cake the day before I plan to serve it. Its flavor improves remarkably if it is allowed to "ripen" for a day or two. Do give this recipe a try. Here is how the cake is made.

Nutella Oatmeal Cookies

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I like to end a picnic or barbecue with something sweet that can be served with a minimum amount of effort and mess. That pretty much rules out frosted cakes and airy pies, but it leaves the door open for all manner of plain cakes and cookies. The recipe I'm featuring tonight first appeared in Food and Wine magazine, and I knew as soon as I scanned the ingredient list, that I would have to give it a try. This is basically an oatmeal cookie that is flavored with Nutella and a bit of cinnamon. The cookies are simple to make and leave no trace of chocolate on little hands or clothing. They are quite sweet, but so good that even those who prefer less sweet treats will enjoy one or two of them. The flavor of the cookies is unique and those of you who like Nutella will love these. The cookies have crisp edges and centers that remain moist, and while they are wonderful to eat out of hand, they make a wonderful base for ice cream sandwiches. While I doubt they'll remain in the cookie jar for any length of time, they are excellent keepers and can be made several days before you actually plan to serve them. I hope those of you who are looking for a new cookie recipe will give this one a try. Here is how they are made.