Posted by Chyrel 10/20/2001 8:42 am

Gianduia is a classic Italian combination of chocolate and hazelnuts. If you can't find foil candy cups, buy twice as many paper ones and use two (one inside the other) per candy. (Doubling the paper cups makes a sturdier form.) Arrange the confections in holiday tins, or place on decorative trays, wrap in cellophane and tie with gold ribbons.

4 ounces good-quality milk chocolate (such as
    Lindt or Ghirardelli), chopped
1 cup Nutella (chocolate-hazelnut spread)*
6 tablespoons coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts
18 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet
    chocolate, chopped
32 (1-inch diameter) gold foil candy cups
32 whole hazelnuts, toasted, husked

*Nutella is usually found in the jelly and preserves section of the supermarket.

Stir milk chocolate in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until melted and smooth. Remove chocolate from over water. Whisk in Nutella and chopped hazelnuts.

Stir bittersweet chocolate in another medium metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate melts and candy thermometer registers 110 degrees F (chocolate will feel warm to touch). Remove from over water. Using 1-inch-wide pastry brush, coat insides of candy cups with just enough chocolate to cover. Rewarm chocolate as necessary to maintain temperature. Place cups on baking sheet. Chill until chocolate is firm, about 15 minutes.

Spoon enough hazelnut mixture into center of each chocolate cup to fill to within 1/8 inch of top (about 1 heaping teaspoonful in each cup). Refrigerate until filling sets, about 15 minutes.

Rewarm remaining melted bittersweet chocolate in bowl set over barely simmering water to 110F. Spoon enough chocolate over filling to cover and to fill cups completely. Immediately top each with whole nut. Refrigerate cups until firm, about 20 minutes. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead; refrigerate in single layer in airtight container.) Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature before serving.

Makes 32.