Irresistible Nutella Cookies: Your Ultimate Guide to Fudgy, Delicious, and Easy Hazelnut Treats

There’s something inherently magical about Nutella. This iconic chocolate hazelnut spread has captivated taste buds around the globe, gracing everything from breakfast toast to gourmet desserts. While it’s famously known as a sublime crepe filling, its versatility extends far beyond, making it an exceptional ingredient for baking. In this recipe, Nutella isn’t just a topping; it’s the heart and soul of cookies that are so profoundly chocolatey and perfectly fudgy, they blur the line between a classic cookie and a rich brownie. If you often find yourself torn between the chewy satisfaction of a cookie and the intense chocolate experience of a brownie, then these Nutella cookies are your dream come true. They offer the best of both worlds, ensuring you don’t have to compromise on your sweet cravings.

These aren’t just any chocolate cookies; they are a deep dive into hazelnut-infused chocolate bliss. Each bite delivers a rich chocolate base with that unmistakable nutty warmth from Nutella. And for an extra layer of decadence, a dollop of creamy cookie butter nestled in the center transforms these into a truly divine treat. Imagine a delicate thumbprint cookie, but elevated with a molten chocolatey core – that’s the experience awaiting you. Best of all, they’re surprisingly light at just three points per cookie, making them a fantastic option for those seeking healthier dessert choices or following Weight Watchers. They’re also a massive hit with children, offering a fun opportunity to get little hands involved in the kitchen, carefully adding the creamy filling to each cookie. Don’t worry if their dollops aren’t perfectly centered – they’ll still taste absolutely incredible!

While cookie butter adds a unique richness, the beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. The middle filling options are truly endless, allowing you to customize each batch to your preference. We’ll explore several exciting variations below that you might want to try, even if you do have cookie butter on hand. These cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a versatile canvas for your culinary creativity.

If you’re on the lookout for more smart and delicious desserts that satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your health goals, be sure to check out our comprehensive list of 29 Best Weight Watchers Desserts. Paired with these delightful Nutella cookies, you’ll have an array of tempting options for every day of the month. So, tie on your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of baking these fantastic Nutella cookies!

Why These Nutella Cookies Are an Absolute Must-Bake

Beyond their undeniable deliciousness, these Nutella cookies offer several compelling reasons to become a staple in your baking repertoire. They’re designed for maximum enjoyment, ease, and even a touch of nutritional benefit.

A Symphony of Chocolate Hazelnut Flavor in Every Bite

This recipe truly delivers chocolatey heaven. The cookie base itself is deeply infused with cocoa and Nutella, creating a rich, dark chocolate canvas. But then, you hit the creamy, sweet center – a pocket of pure indulgence that enhances the overall experience. Think of it as a warm, fudgy molten lava cake, perfectly miniaturized into a chewy cookie. The combination of the slightly crisp edge, the soft, chewy interior, and the gooey center creates an unforgettable textural and flavor journey that will satisfy even the most intense chocolate cravings. It’s a sophisticated twist on a classic comfort food.

Generous Yield for Sharing (or Savoring!)

One of the best features of this Nutella Cookie recipe is its impressive yield. A single batch produces 20 cookies, which is more than enough to share with family and friends, bring to a potluck, or simply keep on hand for satisfying those spontaneous sweet cravings throughout the week. You won’t need to spend extra time making multiple batches, making it a perfect choice for busy bakers who still want to enjoy homemade treats. Plus, having a good quantity means you can easily freeze some for later, ensuring you always have a delicious cookie ready when the mood strikes.

Nutrient-Rich Indulgence: The Power of Hazelnuts

While cookies are undeniably a treat, these Nutella cookies come with a hidden bonus: the nutritional benefits of hazelnuts. As you might know, Nutella is made primarily from ground hazelnuts, blended with cocoa and sugar, essentially making it a delightful chocolate nut butter. Hazelnuts themselves are packed with an array of essential vitamins and minerals. They are an excellent source of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, and Thiamin (Vitamin B1), which is crucial for energy metabolism. Additionally, hazelnuts provide Magnesium, Copper, and Manganese, vital for bone health and enzyme function, along with Vitamin B6, Folate, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Zinc. So, if you’re going to indulge in a cookie, why not make it one that offers a little something extra in terms of nutrition? It’s a guilt-free pleasure you can truly feel good about.

Crafting the perfect Nutella cookie requires a simple yet effective blend of common baking ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired texture, flavor, and richness. For precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card below.

• **Unsweetened Applesauce:** This ingredient is a clever substitute for some of the fat typically found in cookies, contributing to a softer texture while keeping the calories and points lower.
• **White Sugar:** Provides sweetness and helps achieve that desirable chewy-crisp cookie texture.
• **Egg:** Acts as a binder, adding structure, moisture, and richness to the dough.
• **Nutella:** The star ingredient! It provides the distinctive chocolate-hazelnut flavor and a rich, creamy base for the cookies.
• **Baking Soda & Baking Powder:** These leavening agents work together to give the cookies their perfect rise and a soft, airy crumb.
• **Vanilla Extract:** Enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth to the cookies.
• **Cocoa Powder:** Deepens the chocolate flavor of the cookie base, ensuring a truly decadent taste.
• **White Flour:** Provides the necessary structure for the cookie dough.
• **Mini Chocolate Chips:** Adds bursts of extra chocolatey goodness throughout the cookies.
• **Cookie Butter (or additional Nutella) for the Topping:** This creates the delightful creamy center, adding another layer of texture and flavor.

How to Make Nutella Cookies: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Baking these Nutella cookies is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Following these steps carefully will ensure a batch of perfectly soft, fudgy, and flavorful cookies every time. For the exact measurements and full recipe details, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.

1. **Preparation is Key:** Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). This allows the oven to reach and maintain the correct temperature, which is crucial for even baking. While the oven preheats, lightly spray a large cookie sheet with non-stick spray to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure easy removal.
2. **Wet Ingredients – Whipping for Texture:** In a mixing bowl, combine the unsweetened applesauce and white sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat these two ingredients together for a full two minutes. This step is vital as it incorporates air into the mixture, contributing to the cookies’ light and chewy texture. After two minutes, add the egg and continue beating until well combined. Finally, with the mixer still running, gradually add the Nutella, beating until everything is thoroughly incorporated into a smooth, creamy base. The whipping action creates a lighter, more tender cookie.
3. **Combining Dry Ingredients & Forming Cookies:** Gently fold in the dry ingredients (baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, white flour) and mini chocolate chips using a spoon or spatula. Be careful not to overmix the flour; overworking the dough can lead to tough, dense cookies. Once just combined, spoon the cookie dough onto your prepared cookie sheet in small, uniform drops. Aim for about 20 cookies to ensure consistent sizing and baking. For that signature molten center, create a slight indentation in the middle of each cookie dough ball and add about 1/4 teaspoon of cookie butter (or extra Nutella) into it.
4. **Baking and Cooling:** Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; cookies are often done when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. Overbaking can make them dry. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period helps them set and prevents them from breaking. Then, it’s time to enjoy your perfectly baked Nutella cookies!

Mastering Your Nutella Cookie Bake: Essential Tips & Tricks

Even simple recipes can benefit from a few expert tips to ensure perfect results every time. These insights will help you bake the best Nutella cookies possible, from handling the dough to storing your delicious creations.

• **Chill the Dough for Better Shape:** This is a game-changer! After preparing your cookie dough, cover the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours. Chilled dough is much easier to handle, less sticky, and helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking, preventing them from spreading too much. You can even make the dough a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge, making baking day much quicker and easier.
• **Freezing for Future Cravings:** These cookies are fantastic for meal prepping desserts! You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls (with the cookie butter center already added) in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag. When ready to bake, simply place them on a prepared cookie sheet and add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Alternatively, you can freeze the fully baked and cooled cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or warm them slightly for a fresh-baked taste.
• **Don’t Overbake:** For fudgy, soft cookies, resist the urge to overbake. They might look slightly underdone when you take them out, but they will continue to set as they cool. The edges should be set, but the center should still look a little soft.
• **Room Temperature Ingredients:** Ensure your egg and applesauce are at room temperature. This helps them combine more smoothly with the other ingredients, creating a more uniform dough and better cookie texture.
• **Proper Cooling is Crucial:** Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This allows them to firm up slightly and prevents them from breaking when moved.
• **Storage:** Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness.

Indulge Guilt-Free: Nutella Cookies & Weight Watchers

For those managing their intake with Weight Watchers (WW), finding delicious desserts that align with your health goals can be a challenge. That’s where these Nutella cookies shine. At only 3 points per cookie (based on the WW app recipe creator), they offer a guilt-free way to satisfy your chocolate cravings without derailing your progress. The strategic use of unsweetened applesauce helps to reduce the overall fat content, contributing to a lower point value while still delivering a moist and flavorful cookie.

The recipe balances indulgence with smart choices, making it an ideal treat for anyone on a journey to a healthier lifestyle. The delicious chocolate-hazelnut flavor ensures you don’t feel deprived, and the generous yield means you can enjoy these tasty treats throughout the week.

Here’s a breakdown of the approximate WW points per ingredient, to help you understand how these values are calculated. (Note: Points are based on the original WW app recipe creator, and values can vary slightly with program updates.)

• Unsweetened applesauce: 0 points
• White sugar: 14 points
• Egg: 0 points
• Nutella (¼ cup + 2 tbsp): 31 points
• Baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract: 0 points
• Cocoa powder: 1 point
• All-purpose white flour: 9 points
• Mini chocolate chips: 5 points

Total points for the entire batch are then divided by 20 cookies to give approximately 3 points per cookie.

If you’re using an older version of WW, check out these points below:

3SP blue, green & purple/2pp each

Endless Possibilities: Creative Variations for Your Nutella Cookies

While the classic Nutella cookie with a cookie butter center is absolutely divine, this recipe is incredibly flexible, inviting you to experiment with various flavors and textures. Don’t hesitate to get creative and customize your batch to suit your preferences or the occasion!

• **Center Fillings Galore:** Instead of cookie butter or just Nutella in the center, consider these delicious alternatives:
  • **Peppermint Hershey’s Kiss:** For a festive touch, especially during the holidays, press a peppermint Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie immediately after baking. The residual heat will slightly melt it, creating a delightful peppermint-chocolate fusion.
  • **Pecan Half:** A pecan half pressed into the center offers a wonderful nutty crunch, complementing the hazelnut flavor in Nutella beautifully for a double-nutty delight.
  • **Peanut Butter:** If you’re a fan of the classic chocolate-peanut butter combo, replace the cookie butter with a dollop of peanut butter for an irresistible Peanut Butter Nutella cookie.
  • **Crushed Pistachios:** A sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top would add a beautiful pop of color and a subtly earthy, nutty flavor.
  • **Banana Chip:** For a tropical twist, a banana chip in the center offers a unique texture and a sweet, fruity note that pairs surprisingly well with chocolate and hazelnut.
  • **Caramel or Dulce de Leche:** A small dollop of caramel sauce or dulce de leche in the center would create a truly decadent, gooey treat.
• **Change up the Chips:** Use mini white chocolate chips in the dough instead of, or in addition to, the regular chocolate chips for a different flavor profile and a striking visual contrast.
• **Go Chip-Free:** You don’t have to use chocolate chips if you prefer a simpler cookie. The Nutella in the base ensures they will still be wonderfully chocolatey and flavorful.
• **Pumpkin Puree Swap:** For a seasonal or different nutritional twist, use pumpkin puree in place of the unsweetened applesauce. You’ll still achieve a wonderfully soft cookie texture, along with the added benefits and subtle flavor of pumpkin.
• **Add Fudginess with Pudding Mix:** For an even richer, fudgier texture and intensified chocolate flavor, add a tablespoon of sugar-free chocolate pudding mix to the cookie dough.
• **Transform into a Cookie Cake:** Instead of individual cookies, press the entire batch of dough into a greased 9 or 10-inch cake pan. Don’t forget to still dollop the cookie butter (or your chosen filling) on top before baking. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly soft. You’ll end up with a delightful Nutella cookie cake, perfect for birthdays or special occasions.
• **Reduce Points with Sugar Replacements:** To further reduce the Weight Watchers points, consider substituting some or all of the white sugar with a sugar replacement like Swerve or Splenda baking sugar. The strong flavor of Nutella will effectively mask any potential aftertaste from artificial sweeteners, potentially bringing the cookies down to just 2 points each, depending on the specific product and quantity used.

Similar Recipes You’ll Enjoy

If you loved these Nutella cookies and are looking for more delectable treats that are often Weight Watchers friendly, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes:

• Chocolate Glazed Donuts
• Peanut Butter Cheesecake
• Your New Favorite Weight Watchers Brownies

Ready to bake? Here’s the detailed recipe card for these incredible Nutella Cookies!