Nutella Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

If you’re anything like me and have a soft spot for that luscious combo of chocolate and hazelnut, you’re going to adore this Nutella Thumbprint Cookies Recipe. These cookies are soft, buttery, and just the right amount of chewy, with a dollop of creamy Nutella right in the center that makes every bite pure magic. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll instantly become your go-to sweet treat for all occasions—holiday cookie swaps, weekend baking sessions, or just because you deserve a little indulgence.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together so beautifully. I love how the combination of butter and sugar creates a soft dough that’s sturdy enough to hold that perfect Nutella pocket without collapsing. Also, a tiny splash of almond extract adds a subtle nutty depth that complements the Nutella.

• Unsalted Butter: Using softened butter helps you achieve that light, fluffy cookie dough texture.
• White Sugar: Gives sweetness and crisp edges when baked.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a rich, caramel-y flavor that balances perfectly with Nutella.
• Egg: Binds everything together and adds tenderness.
• Vanilla Extract: Always a must-have for enhancing all the flavors.
• Almond Extract: A subtle nutty note that pairs surprisingly well with hazelnut spread.
• Corn Starch: This is my secret weapon—it keeps the cookies extra soft and crumbly.
• All-Purpose Flour: Be sure to spoon and level your flour for accurate measurement to keep cookies from turning dense.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise gently without puffing up too much.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies flavors.
• Nutella: The star of the show! Use your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread for the filling.

Variations

I love mixing things up with this Nutella Thumbprint Cookies Recipe, depending on the season or who I’m baking for. You’ll find that tweaking something simple can make the cookies feel new and exciting every time.

• Nut Butter Swap: Once, I swapped Nutella with peanut butter for a twist, and my family couldn’t stop raving about the nutty surprise.
• Flavored Extracts: Trying orange or coconut extract instead of almond gives a fresh seasonal spin.
• Texture Boost: Adding chopped hazelnuts right into the dough gives a lovely crunch that’s fantastic if you’re craving a little bite.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substituting with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well; just keep an eye on the dough consistency as it might be a bit stickier.

How to Make Nutella Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by beating the softened unsalted butter along with white and brown sugars using your stand mixer or hand mixer. I usually go for about 3 minutes here until the mixture is light and fluffy—that airiness is what keeps the cookies tender and helps the sugars dissolve, giving you a super smooth consistency.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Extracts

Next, toss in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until everything is well combined. This step ensures your dough is cohesive and that subtle almond hint really shines through when baked.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients and Add Slowly

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, corn starch, baking powder, and salt. Then slowly add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, about one-third at a time, mixing just until incorporated each round. Overmixing is the enemy here—you want to stop as soon as everything holds together. If the dough feels a little loose, don’t hesitate to pull it gently with your hands to bring it together.

Step 4: Form the Cookies and Make Those Classic Thumbprints

To get cookie-sized portions, I usually scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons (or 22g) of dough each time. Roll into balls, then coat each in some sugar for a nice sparkle. Now the fun part—using the back of a teaspoon or your thumb, press gently in the center to create that perfect indentation. I discovered that chilling these shaped dough balls for 30 minutes before baking helps avoid cracks and keeps their shape just right.

Step 5: Bake and Add Nutella

Arrange the chilled cookie dough on a parchment-lined sheet and bake at 350°F for about 9-10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges have set and the bottoms turn a soft golden color, but don’t worry if the edges don’t brown much—these are soft cookies! After baking, let them cool 5-7 minutes so the cookies firm up a bit, then spoon about a teaspoon of Nutella right into the center of each thumbprint. If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle melted chocolate or sprinkle festive sprinkles over the top before cooling on a wire rack completely.

How to Serve Nutella Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Personally, I like keeping these cookies simple, but a drizzle of melted white or dark chocolate adds a lovely contrast. Sometimes, I sprinkle a few festive rainbow or chocolate sprinkles on top for a pop of color—especially fun if you’re gifting them! Toasted chopped hazelnuts on the Nutella add a lovely crunch as well.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate. For holiday parties, I love setting them out alongside some fresh fruit or a cheese board to balance sweetness with savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special occasions, I arrange these cookies in a circle on a pretty plate with small bowls of additional Nutella for dipping. Another fun idea I tried was layering them in a mason jar with parchment paper in between to make a lovely homemade gift that’s ready to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—or longer if your kitchen isn’t too warm. Layering parchment paper between batches prevents them from sticking together and keeps their texture soft.

Freezing

If I want to bake ahead, I freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag once solid. When ready, pop them straight into the oven, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time. This trick saves you loads of time and still gives that fresh-baked warmth!

Reheating

To bring leftover cookies back to life, I gently warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. The Nutella softens just enough, and the cookie’s exterior gets a lovely touch of crispness without drying out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Nutella Thumbprint Cookies Recipe holds such a special place for me—it’s simple yet feels luxurious and totally satisfying every time. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just someone craving a homemade treat, these cookies are forgiving and fun to make. I encourage you to try them out and watch your friends and family go crazy over these rich, tender bites. Seriously, once you taste the soft dough paired with that creamy Nutella center, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this recipe!

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