Irresistible Nutella Thumbprint Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet and irresistible Nutella thumbprint cookies deliver a decadent chocolate-hazelnut twist to classic holiday baking.

Soft, buttery cookie dough cradles a luscious Nutella center that melts in your mouth.

These delightful treats combine simple ingredients with minimal effort for maximum deliciousness.

Each cookie offers a perfect balance of tender crumb and rich, creamy filling.

Elegant yet effortless, these cookies make an impressive addition to any dessert spread.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over the rich, velvety Nutella nestled in a perfectly golden base.

Prepare to delight your taste buds with this irresistible sweet sensation that promises to become a new family favorite.

Nutella Thumbprint Cookies: Batch Highlights

• Savor Gourmet Simplicity: These Nutella thumbprint cookies transform basic ingredients into a sophisticated treat that looks and tastes professionally made, perfect for impressing guests without complex techniques.
• Create Family Bonding Moments: The recipe offers fun interactive steps like rolling dough balls, coating in hazelnut-sugar mixture, and creating thumbprint indents, making it an ideal baking activity for children and adults to enjoy together.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows creative variations by potentially swapping Nutella with different spreads like caramel, jam, or alternative nut butters, ensuring versatility for different taste preferences.
• Indulge Texture Lovers: Combining soft, buttery cookie base with crunchy hazelnut coating and rich Nutella center creates a multi-dimensional sensory experience that delights multiple taste and texture sensations.

Ingredient List for Nutella Thumbprint Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cookie base.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a softer, more tender cookie texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Ensure proper rise and lightness of the cookies.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the cookie dough.
• Ground Hazelnuts: Adds nutty flavor and depth to the cookie base.

• Butter, Cream Cheese: Create a rich, smooth, and creamy cookie texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Egg, Egg Yolk: Bind ingredients and add richness to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla: Adds a warm, classic flavor to the cookies.

• Nutella: Serves as the delicious filling for the cookie indents.
• Hazelnuts, Sugar: Create a crunchy, sweet coating for the cookie exterior.

How to Make Nutella-Filled Cookies

Step 1: Whisk Dry Components

Grab a mixing bowl and combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground hazelnuts.

Gently whisk these ingredients until they are evenly distributed and create a light, consistent texture.

Step 2: Blend Creamy Base

In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream butter and cream cheese until they become smooth and silky.

Gradually add sugar and continue beating until the mixture becomes fluffy and light.

Introduce egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything blends harmoniously.

Step 3: Create Cookie Dough

Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow flavors to meld and dough to firm up.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, mix chopped hazelnuts and sugar for coating the cookies.

Step 5: Form Cookie Balls

Scoop out small portions of dough and roll them into smooth, round balls.

Gently roll each ball in the hazelnut-sugar mixture, ensuring an even coating.

Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2-3 inches apart.

Step 6: Bake and Shape Cookies

Bake the cookies for 8-9 minutes until they become puffy with set edges.

After removing from the oven, wait 2 minutes, then use a rounded teaspoon to create gentle indentations in the center of each cookie.

Allow cookies to cool for an additional 2-3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step 7: Add Nutella Finishing Touch

Carefully fill the cookie indentations with smooth Nutella.

Serve the cookies warm or at room temperature for a delightful treat that combines nutty and chocolatey flavors.

Tips for Buttery, Nutty Thumbprints

• Refrigerate the dough for the full 2-3 hours to prevent spreading and ensure perfect cookie texture.
• Use a kitchen scale for consistent 25g dough balls to guarantee uniform baking and appearance.
• Gently press with a rounded teaspoon immediately after baking while cookies are still soft to make clean, even thumbprint wells.
• Warm Nutella slightly for easier spreading, but don't overfill to prevent messy edges and maintain a clean cookie look.
• Lightly toast ground hazelnuts before mixing to enhance their nutty flavor and add depth to the cookie's overall taste.

Nutella Cookie Variations for Dessert Lovers

• Gluten-Free Nutella Cookies: Replace regular flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free baking powder and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Chocolate Spread Thumbprints: Substitute butter with coconut oil, cream cheese with vegan cream cheese alternative. Use flax egg instead of regular egg and swap Nutella for dairy-free chocolate spread.
• Low-Sugar Hazelnut Cookies: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of sugar. Replace Nutella with sugar-free chocolate hazelnut spread to reduce overall sugar content. Consider adding extra ground hazelnuts for rich flavor.

Serving Nutella Thumbprints at Gatherings

• Cozy Dessert Companions: Pair these delightful Nutella thumbprint cookies with a steaming mug of hot chocolate for ultimate comfort.
• Elegant Serving Platter: Arrange cookies on a beautiful ceramic plate, dusting with powdered sugar for a sophisticated touch.
• Ice Cream Dream: Top each cookie with a small scoop of vanilla or hazelnut gelato for a decadent dessert experience.
• Coffee Companion: Serve alongside a rich espresso or cappuccino to complement the nutty, chocolatey flavors of the cookies.

Storing Nutella Cookies for Anytime Treats

• Store Nutella thumbprint cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture for up to 5 days.
• Wrap cooled cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months for maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Restore crispness by briefly warming in oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes if desired.
• Keep Nutella topping fresh by storing container tightly sealed in cool, dry place. If cookies become slightly dry, warm them gently to restore Nutella's glossy, smooth consistency.

FAQs

• Can I use different nuts instead of hazelnuts?

Yes, you can substitute ground almonds or walnuts for a similar texture and flavor profile in the cookie dough and coating.

• Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Absolutely. Chilling helps prevent spreading and allows the flavors to develop, ensuring a better cookie texture and more concentrated taste.

• How do I prevent Nutella from running when filling the cookies?

Let cookies cool slightly after baking and create a deep, clean indent. Fill Nutella when cookies are warm but not hot to help it set properly.

• What if my dough is too sticky to roll?

If the dough feels too soft, return it to the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes to firm up before shaping and rolling.

Nutella Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 39 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Chocolate-loving bakers will adore these Nutella thumbprint cookies, featuring a delightful blend of rich cocoa and creamy hazelnut spread. Crumbly, buttery shortbread nestles a velvety Nutella center, creating an irresistible treat you can’t wait to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups (282g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces (226g) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2/3 cup (100g) hazelnuts, finely chopped

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• 1 whole egg, room temperature
• 1 egg yolk, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract
• Nutella, for filling centers

Coating:

• 1/3 cup (50g) hazelnuts, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blend flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground hazelnuts in a mixing vessel, ensuring uniform distribution of dry components.
2. Cream butter and cream cheese until silky, gradually incorporating sugar until achieving a light, airy texture. Gently fold in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until completely harmonized.
3. Merge wet and dry mixtures, kneading until a cohesive dough forms. Wrap securely and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to enhance flavor development and improve texture.
4. Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper. Create coating by combining finely chopped hazelnuts with granulated sugar.
5. Craft uniform dough spheres approximately 25g each, rolling smoothly between palms. Generously coat each ball in hazelnut-sugar mixture, positioning them 2-3 inches apart on prepared sheet.
6. Bake for 8-9 minutes until edges stabilize and surface appears puffy. After initial cooling (2 minutes), delicately create indentations using rounded teaspoon. Allow additional 2-3 minutes of resting before transferring to cooling rack.
7. Lovingly fill cookie centers with rich Nutella, ensuring generous yet precise application. Serve either warmly or at ambient temperature for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Ensure flour is fresh and sifted for lighter, more delicate cookie texture.
• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother, more even mixing and consistent results.
• Create uniform cookie sizes by using a kitchen scale for precise dough portioning.
• Try alternative spreads like almond butter or chocolate ganache for dietary variations.
• Allow cookies to cool slightly before making indentations to prevent cracking.
• Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
• Toast hazelnuts beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and aromatic profile.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 80mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg