Nutella Cookies

Welcome back to me!  I had a lovely vacation, but school has begun again (despite the fact that we still do not have grades from last semester, but that is neither here nor there).  I present to you, my magnum opus of cookies, brought to you by everyone's favorite spread.

Nutella Cookies
3/4 cup Nutella
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter
3 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 egg
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
1-2.25 oz package chopped hazelnuts
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
   fleur de sel for sprinkling (optional-- but do NOT substitute regular salt, because it is harsh and icky)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Lightly toast hazelnuts and remove to cool
3. Cream together: Nutella, sugar, shortening, butter, milk, vanilla, egg.
4. Add baking powder and salt and beat until just incorporated.
5. Add flour to dough in two divisions, again mixing until just incorporated.
6. Fold in toasted hazelnuts and chocolate chips.
7. Roll dough into 1" balls and place on a greased cookie sheet (do not flatten; also, the dough will be a little crumbly, so just gently press together).
8. Sprinkle dough lightly with fleur de sel.
9. Bake for 7-9 minutes.

Makes about 4 dozen.