Brown sugar, butter, and vanilla come together to form a soft, chewy cookie dough base that serves as the perfect vessel for a hidden molten center. By freezing small dollops of hazelnut cocoa spread before folding them into the dough, these Nutella cookies maintain a distinct, gooey core that contrasts beautifully with the crisp edges and pockets of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Achieving that signature texture relies on a simple trick with cornstarch and chilling the filling, which keeps the dough from spreading too thin while the centers stay molten in the heat of the oven. The aroma of toasted vanilla and caramelized sugar fills the kitchen as they bake, making them a reliable choice for a weekend afternoon treat.
These cookies hold up well in an airtight container for several days, keeping their chewy crumb and soft center intact. Whether you are packing them for a snack or serving them alongside a glass of cold milk, they offer a straightforward, satisfying balance of hazelnut richness and classic chocolate chip flavor.
Read Full StoryIf you have a serious craving for hazelnut spread, there are plenty of ways to incorporate it into your baking rotation beyond a standard cookie. For those who enjoy the convenience of countertop appliances, our air fried Nutella cookies offer a quick way to achieve a molten center with minimal preheating time. Alternatively, if you prefer a classic oven-baked approach that focuses on a decadent, gooey core, these rich Nutella-filled treats are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Key Ingredients
- Chocolate hazelnut spread: Frozen portions of spread are tucked inside each cookie to create a molten center.
- Chocolate chips: These are folded into the dough to provide extra pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter acts as the primary fat base to create the cookie's rich, tender structure.
- Brown sugar: Used to sweeten the dough while contributing to a chewy, moist texture.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structural foundation required to hold the dough together around the hidden filling.
- Cornstarch: Helps achieve a soft, delicate crumb that balances the density of the filling.
- Vanilla powder: Adds a distinct aromatic sweetness that complements the chocolate notes.
More Decadent Treats to Bake
- If you enjoy the combination of chocolate and hazelnut, try this marble cake with Nutella swirls, which offers a soft, elegant texture perfect for afternoon tea.
- For bakers looking to experiment with unique textures, these matcha cookies with mochi introduce a chewy, earthy element that contrasts beautifully with traditional sweet cookies.
- To balance out a platter of rich chocolate sweets, our classic buttery snowball cookies provide a light, crumbly finish that guests will love.
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