Decadent Double Nutella Cookies

Prepare to embark on a truly sensational culinary journey with these extraordinary Nutella Stuffed Nutella Cookies. Imagine a cookie so incredibly soft, chewy, and tender, with just the right amount of delightfully crispy edges, that each bite transports you to a realm of pure dessert bliss. But it gets better. Not only is the cookie dough itself infused with the rich, unmistakable flavor of chocolate hazelnut Nutella, but each decadent treat also cradles a molten, gooey core of even more Nutella. This isn’t just a cookie; it’s an experience, a double dose of everyone’s favorite hazelnut spread that promises to satisfy even the most intense cravings. If you’re a Nutella enthusiast, get ready to meet your new favorite indulgence.

For those who adore the magic of Nutella in baked goods, you might also fall head over heels for my Crumbl Hazelnut Churro Cookies, another delightful creation that cleverly incorporates that beloved chocolate hazelnut flavor. And if you’re exploring other ways to enjoy this delicious spread, my Nutella Milkshake recipe offers a refreshing and equally decadent option. Craving a simpler, yet equally satisfying, Nutella cookie? My classic Nutella Cookies, elegantly drizzled with extra Nutella on top, are always a hit. But for the ultimate in gooey, chocolatey, hazelnut perfection, these Nutella Stuffed Nutella Cookies reign supreme.

Why These Nutella Cookies Are an Absolute Must-Bake

There are countless cookie recipes out there, but what makes these Nutella Stuffed Nutella Cookies truly stand out? It’s the thoughtful combination of ingredients and techniques that ensures an unparalleled texture and an explosion of flavor in every bite. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire:

• Pure Nutella Bliss, No Cocoa Powder Required. Calling all die-hard Nutella fans! This recipe is a celebration of Nutella, crafted to let its distinctive chocolate hazelnut flavor shine without competition. Unlike many “chocolate” cookie recipes that rely on cocoa powder for depth, these cookies derive all their rich, chocolatey goodness solely from Nutella. This unique approach means the hazelnut notes are more prominent and the Nutella flavor deeply permeates every fiber of the cookie dough, delivering an authentic and intense taste experience that cocoa powder simply can’t replicate. It’s Nutella, through and through!
• Irresistibly Soft, Chewy, and Gooey Centers. Beyond the delightful chewiness and slightly crisp edges of the cookie itself, prepare for the magical moment when you break one open. These cookies boast an incredibly soft, gooey, and molten Nutella center that practically oozes out. This luxurious filling not only adds another layer of texture but also keeps the cookies wonderfully moist and tender, creating a delightful contrast with their perfectly baked exteriors. The warm, flowing Nutella core is truly the crown jewel of this decadent treat.
• Nutella: The Ultimate Culinary MVP. I’m genuinely convinced that Nutella isn’t just a spread; it’s a culinary superpower, an accessory that elevates anything it touches from good to gourmet. Think of it like that perfect pair of sunglasses: you could be in sweatpants and a messy bun, but add those stylish shades, and suddenly you look effortlessly chic. The same transformative power applies to Nutella! Incorporating it into desserts instantly adds a layer of richness, depth, and irresistible flavor. Take my Creamy Nutella Cheesecake, for instance. Cheesecake is undeniably amazing on its own, but infuse it with Nutella, and it becomes an unforgettable masterpiece. These cookies perfectly embody this principle!
• Simple Steps, Spectacular Results. Despite their impressive appearance and complex flavor profile, these cookies are surprisingly straightforward to make. With clear, easy-to-follow instructions and common baking ingredients, even novice bakers can achieve bakery-quality results. The satisfaction of pulling a tray of these perfectly stuffed, golden-brown cookies from your oven is truly unmatched.

Key Ingredients for Your Nutella Masterpiece

Crafting these extraordinary Nutella Stuffed Nutella Cookies relies on a few essential ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture. Pay close attention to these notes to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time.

• Unsalted Butter: It’s crucial to use room temperature unsalted butter. Butter that’s too cold won’t cream properly with the sugars, leading to a lumpy dough and potentially dense cookies. Room temperature butter, however, whips up light and fluffy, creating air pockets that contribute to a tender cookie texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the exact amount of salt in your recipe.
• Light Brown Sugar: This isn’t just for sweetness! Light brown sugar is packed with molasses, which contributes a richer, more caramel-like flavor compared to granulated sugar. More importantly, the molasses also adds moisture, resulting in a significantly chewier and softer cookie. The interaction of brown sugar with the leavening agents also helps achieve that perfect rise and spread.
• Granulated Sugar: While brown sugar brings chewiness and depth, granulated sugar is essential for achieving those slightly crispy edges and proper spread. The combination of both sugars creates a balanced texture that is both soft in the center and satisfyingly crisp on the outside.
• Nutella: The star of the show! As mentioned, Nutella is the *only* chocolate source in the cookie dough, ensuring that classic hazelnut flavor permeates throughout. We’ll be using Nutella both within the dough itself for incredible flavor and, of course, generously stuffing a dollop into the center of each cookie for that irresistible gooey surprise. Ensure your Nutella is fresh and at room temperature for easy mixing and stuffing.
• Egg: A large, room temperature egg acts as a vital binding agent, holding all the ingredients together to form a cohesive dough. It also contributes to the cookie’s structure, richness, and acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookies rise and become tender. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients, leading to a smoother batter.
• Vanilla Extract: While it might seem counterintuitive to add vanilla to a chocolate (or Nutella) cookie, it’s a game-changer. High-quality vanilla extract doesn’t just add its own flavor; it enhances and deepens the existing chocolate and hazelnut notes, creating a more complex and balanced taste profile. It helps to mellow the sweetness and adds a warm, inviting aroma.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of our cookies. Make sure to measure your flour correctly, preferably by weight, or by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off. Too much flour can lead to dry, crumbly cookies, while too little can result in excessive spreading.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents are responsible for the cookie’s lift and texture. Baking powder provides initial lift, while baking soda reacts with the acidic components (like brown sugar and potentially Nutella) to create a soft, tender crumb and contribute to spread. Using both ensures a balanced rise.
• Cornstarch: This secret ingredient is key to achieving super soft and tender cookies. A small amount of cornstarch interferes with gluten development in the flour, preventing the cookies from becoming tough and instead promoting a wonderfully delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It also helps the cookies stay soft for longer.
• Salt: Don’t skip the salt! It’s essential for balancing the sweetness of the Nutella and sugars, enhancing all the other flavors in the cookie. It brings out the richness of the chocolate and hazelnut, preventing the cookies from tasting overly sweet or bland.
• Chocolate Chips: While optional, chocolate chips add another layer of chocolatey texture and flavor. I love adding some into the dough for integrated pockets of melted chocolate, and then pressing a few extra onto the tops of the dough balls before baking for that perfect bakery-style appearance and an extra chocolate boost.

Crafting Your Decadent Nutella Stuffed Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to bake the most incredible Nutella cookies you’ve ever tasted? Follow these detailed instructions carefully for perfect results every time. Precision and patience are your best friends in creating these stuffed delights.

1. Prepare the Dough with Precision. In the bowl of your electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the room temperature unsalted butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and Nutella. Cream these ingredients together on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. Make sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly incorporated. Next, add the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix at this stage. Finally, gradually add your dry ingredients – the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt – mixing on low speed until the flour streaks have almost disappeared. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies. Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
2. Chill for Perfection. This step is non-negotiable for the best cookie texture and to prevent excessive spreading. Once your dough is mixed, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, or ideally, until the dough is quite firm. Chilling allows the flour to fully hydrate, the flavors to meld, and the butter to solidify, all contributing to a thicker, chewier cookie that holds its shape beautifully in the oven. You can even chill it overnight!
3. Portion and Prep for Stuffing. After the dough has sufficiently chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough into individual balls. With your palms, gently flatten each dough ball into a thick disc, about 2-2.5 inches in diameter. On half of these discs, use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create a slight indentation in the center – this will be the perfect nest for your Nutella filling.

4. Add the Irresistible Nutella Filling. Now for the best part! Using a 1-teaspoon measuring spoon, carefully spoon a generous dollop of Nutella into the center of each flattened dough disc that has an indentation. Be precise, aiming to keep the Nutella within the created well.

5. Seal the Goodness. Take the remaining half of your flattened dough discs (those without Nutella) and gently place one over each Nutella-filled dough disc. Carefully pinch the edges and border of the two dough discs together to completely encase the Nutella filling, forming a sealed ball. Once the edges are secured, gently roll the dough ball between your palms to smooth out any seams and create a perfectly round, seamless cookie dough ball. This ensures the Nutella doesn’t spill out during baking.

6. Bake to Golden Perfection. These Nutella stuffed cookies bake up fairly large, so adequate spacing is key for even baking and to prevent them from merging. Place no more than 4 cookies per standard baking sheet, ensuring at least 3 inches of space between each dough ball. Bake in your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are set and a light golden brown, and the centers still look slightly soft or “underbaked.” This ensures a perfectly chewy interior and a molten Nutella core. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to rest on the hot sheet for an additional 5 minutes. This carryover cooking helps them set further without becoming overdone. Finally, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm for the ultimate gooey experience!

Pro Tips for the Ultimate Nutella Cookie Experience

Elevate your Nutella Stuffed Nutella Cookies from great to truly unforgettable with these expert tips and tricks:

• Embrace the Sweet & Salty Crunch: For those who appreciate the delightful contrast of sweet and salty, a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie immediately after they come out of the oven is a game-changer. The subtle crunch and salinity perfectly balance the rich sweetness of the Nutella, creating a more complex and addictive flavor profile. This is a trick I also love for my Nutella Brownies – trust me, it’s a winner!
• Picture-Perfect Chocolate Chips: While adding chocolate chips to the dough is a given for extra texture, for a truly bakery-worthy appearance, don’t forget to press a few extra chocolate chips onto the tops of your portioned cookie dough balls just before they go into the oven. As the cookies bake and spread, these surface chips will melt beautifully, creating those appealing pools of chocolate that make a cookie look incredibly inviting and professionally made.
• Freeze Your Nutella for Effortless Stuffing: If you find the Nutella filling a bit too messy or challenging to work with, here’s a brilliant hack: pre-portion your 1-teaspoon dollops of Nutella onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop the sheet into the freezer for about 20-30 minutes, or until the Nutella dollops are firm enough to handle. These frozen Nutella “pucks” will be much easier to place inside the dough discs and encase without any gooey spillage, making the stuffing process a breeze.
• Don’t Overbake for Optimal Gooeyness: The key to that coveted soft, chewy texture and molten Nutella center is to avoid overbaking. Keep a close eye on your cookies during the last few minutes. They should appear set around the edges with a light golden hue, but the very centers should still look slightly soft and even a tiny bit underdone. Remember, they will continue to cook slightly from residual heat as they cool on the baking sheet.
• Room Temperature Ingredients are Your Allies: As emphasized in the ingredient notes, ensuring your butter and egg are at room temperature is vital. This allows them to emulsify properly, creating a smooth, homogenous dough. Cold ingredients can lead to a lumpy batter and a denser, less tender cookie. Plan ahead and take them out of the fridge at least 30-60 minutes before you start baking.

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

These Nutella Stuffed Nutella Cookies are so delicious, you’ll want to make sure you know how to keep them fresh or enjoy them later! Here’s how to handle storage and freezing:

• Storing Baked Cookies: Once completely cooled, store your Nutella stuffed Nutella cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully fresh and soft for 3-4 days. If you prefer to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate them, but be aware that the Nutella filling will firm up in the cold. To regain that glorious gooey center, simply let them come back to room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave for a few seconds.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: These cookies freeze beautifully! After they have cooled completely, wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty Ziplock bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When a Nutella craving strikes, simply remove a cookie from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature. You can also warm it gently in the microwave for a few seconds to restore its freshly baked warmth and gooey center.
• Freezing Cookie Dough: You can also freeze the raw cookie dough. Once you’ve formed and stuffed the dough balls, arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer the frozen dough balls to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, you can bake them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time (about 12-15 minutes total), or let them thaw slightly before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nutella Stuffed Nutella Cookies

More Delicious Cookie Recipes to Love

If you’ve enjoyed these incredible Nutella stuffed cookies, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic cookie recipes from my kitchen. Each one promises a delightful baking experience and a truly satisfying treat:

• Brownie Cookies: For the ultimate fudgy, chocolatey indulgence in cookie form.
• Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: A classic elevated with extra chocolate goodness.
• Crumbl’s Chocolate Chip Cookies: Recreate the popular bakery experience at home.
• Classic No-Bake Cookies: Quick, easy, and satisfying for those times you need a sweet fix without turning on the oven.

This recipe was originally published on Jan. 30, 2020. It was republished on Feb. 15, 2022, to include additional information and photos.