Folded Nutella Cookies and the Happy Light

In my ever increasing attempts to insure the baby boy and his chick are happy, productive, and love Alaska while they are here, I purchased a "Happy Light" for them.  This light is recommended for some people who live in areas where sunlight is limited (Hello Fairbanks).  It is supposed to help reverse the symptoms of winter blues such as depression, lethargy, and sluggishness.  I don't want the Bboy and his chick to be depressed and I really don't want them lethargic or sluggish since they will be working and going to school.

My plan was to put it on the shelf in the dinning area, right next to the table.  I am hoping it will get turned on in the mornings, everyone will benefit from it (Dave needs it too, but he would never admit it), and we all will go on with our day in a happy, productive way.

So I bought it (over $100!), set it up and began to read the directions.  First of all the directions say, "place lamp 6 inches from face."  6 inches, you have got to be kidding me.  How can I sit with that overly bright thing in my face only 6 inches away?

Then it says "Use lamp for 30-60 minutes daily."  Really, I'm going to sit with that lamp shining in my eyes, bright enough that they are streaming tears, they are watering so much, 6 inches from my face for 60 minutes...you have got to be kidding me, the first time I tried it I didn't last 4 minutes.  How am I going to get the chick and the Bboy to do this?  It's not going to happen.  I just spent over $100 for this damn light and all it is doing is pissing me off.

So I made cookies.  Nutella fixes everything.  I made these cookies, I sat down with a cup of tea and a plate full a couple of cookies and reread the instruction manual.  O.K. it says 6-36 inches and 30-60 minutes, not directly in front of your face.  So the shelf with the cookbooks next to the table will work after all.  I'll turn it on when I get up and Dave can turn it off before he goes to work and we can all benefit.

I should have saved us some money and just bought a couple jars of Nutella for the Bboy and the chick, we all would have been happier.

Nutella Folded Cookies
adapted from Taste of Home, November 2013

1 Tbsp. finely chopped hazelnuts
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
2 Tbsp. Nutella, plus more for eating while you make these cookies
1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350°F.  In a small bowl, mix hazelnuts and sugar.  In a large bowl, whisk four, confectioners' sugar and cornstarch.  Cut in butter until crumbly.  Transfer to a clean work surface.  Knead gently until mixture forms a smooth dough, about 2 minutes (dough will be crumbly but will come together).

Divide dough in half.  On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion to 1/8 inch thickness.  Cut with floured 2 inch round cookie cutter.  Place 1/4 tsp. Nutella in center.  Fold dough partway over filling, just enough to cover.

Place 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets.  Brush with beaten egg; sprinkle with hazelnut mixture.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are light brown.  Remove to wire racks to cool.

November 15, 2014   Daylight  6 hrs, 14 min, 38 sec.   Temp. H 13/ L 3°F