Joyful Nutella Cookies: 1 Gooey Secret

Okay, let’s talk about cookies. Specifically, let’s talk about Nutella cookies. If you’re anything like me, the mere thought of that rich hazelnut-chocolate goodness wrapped up in a soft, chewy cookie makes your mouth water. I used to think baking was this big, intimidating thing – you know, all those corporate hours left me drained and frankly, not in the kitchen mood. But discovering how to make something utterly delicious, like these unbelievably soft Nutella cookies with their perfectly gooey centers, changed everything for me. It’s that pure joy you get from creating something amazing with your own hands, especially when it’s as comforting and shareable as these gems. They’re genuinely ideal for any get-together, and trust me, they’re a total star during holiday baking season!

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Why You’ll Love These Nutella Cookies

Seriously, who doesn’t love a good cookie? But these Nutella cookies? They’re on another level!

• Seriously Easy: You’ll be amazed at how simple these are to whip up, even if you’re new to baking!
• That Hazelnut-Chocolate Dream: It’s Nutella in cookie form – need I say more? That rich, creamy flavor is just divine.
• Soft & Gooey Perfection: We’re talking melt-in-your-mouth soft with a center that’s just wonderfully gooey. It’s pure comfort!
• Perfect for Sharing (If You Can Wait!): These make fantastic gifts or a sweet treat for parties, potlucks, or just because.
• Holiday Baking Star: They’re a total showstopper during the holidays, but honestly, any day is a good day for them.

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Ingredients for Perfect Nutella Cookies

Alright, let’s get down to business with what you’ll need for these amazing Nutella cookies. Honestly, you probably have most of this stuff already! Using good quality Nutella really does make a difference here—it’s the star of the show, after all.

Here’s your lineup:

• 1 cup (that’s two sticks!) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (this little guy is key for that soft texture!)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Nutella (yep, the whole cup!)
• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (optional, but oh-so-good for texture and flavor!)

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How to Make Soft Nutella Cookies: Step-by-Step

Alright, buckle up, friends, because we’re about to make some magic happen! Making these Nutella cookies is honestly one of my favorite kitchen adventures. The process is pretty straightforward, but there are a few little secrets I’ve picked up that really make them shine, especially for getting that perfect gooey center everyone raves about. It’s all about treating the dough right! You know, it reminds me a bit of how we approach no-bake cookies – simple steps, big payoff. Let’s get to it!

Creaming the Butter and Sugars

First things first, let’s get that butter and sugar party started. You want your butter to be nice and soft – like, you can easily smoosh it with your finger but it’s not melty. Cream that with both the granulated and brown sugars until it’s super light and fluffy. Seriously, cream it good! This is what gives our cookies that tender texture.

Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients for Nutella Cookies

Now, in a separate bowl, give your flour, baking soda, and salt a quick whisk. This just makes sure everything is evenly distributed. Then, you’ll slowly add this dry mix into your creamy butter-sugar mixture, mixing until it’s *just* combined. We don’t want to overmix here, because overmixing means tough cookies, and that’s a big no-no for our soft Nutella cookies. Then? Gently fold in that glorious Nutella until you see lovely swirls. Don’t you dare mix it all the way in – those ribbons of Nutella are the best part!

Chilling the Dough for Gooey Centers

Okay, this next step is CRUCIAL if you want those amazing gooey centers. You absolutely *have* to chill this dough. At least an hour, but if you can wait longer, do it! It firms everything up, which helps the cookies spread less and keeps that delicious Nutella molten in the middle. Trust me on this for your Nutella cookies.

Baking Your Perfect Nutella Cookies

Once the dough is nicely chilled and firm, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets. Scoop those dough balls onto the sheets, giving them plenty of space. Now, for the baking: watch them closely! You want them to get just lightly golden around the edges, but the centers should still look a little soft and underbaked. That’s your cue! Those slightly underdone centers are what give you the perfect gooey middle in your Nutella cookies. They’ll continue to set up as they cool on the pan.

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Tips for Baking the Best Nutella Cookies

You know, baking is a bit like a science, but with way more yum! To make sure your Nutella cookies turn out absolutely perfect, especially that dreamy gooey center, a few little things really help. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated, just a few simple tricks I always use. It’s kind of like when I was first learning to bake bread; paying attention to the details makes all the difference!

First off, make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted. If it’s too soft, your cookies might spread too much. And when you measure flour, spoon it loosely into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife – don’t just scoop directly from the bag, or you’ll end up with dry cookies, and nobody wants that! For that extra gooey center, remember the chilling step is non-negotiable. And when you bake them, really watch for those edges to get just lightly golden. Pulling them out when the centers still look a smidge soft is the secret sauce for that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves in soft cookies.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

Now, I love these Nutella cookies just as they are, but sometimes it’s fun to play around, right? For an extra little flavor pop, try adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right on top of the dough balls before they go into the oven. It’s magical how it balances the sweetness! You can also mix in some mini chocolate chips or even some chopped pretzels for a bit of crunch. These soft cookies are just divine served warm with a big glass of cold milk, or maybe even a hot cup of coffee for us grown-ups. They’re also a total hit during holiday baking season, making them perfect for cookie platters or as sweet little gifts for friends and neighbors. For more awesome ideas, check out my Christmas cookies and general holiday baking guides!

Storage and Reheating for Your Nutella Cookies

So, you’ve got these amazing Nutella cookies cooling, and you’re wondering how to keep that gooey goodness going? Easy peasy! Once these beauties are completely cooled down, just pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay wonderfully soft and gooey at room temperature for about 3 days. If you *really* want to bring back that fresh-baked warmth and gooeyness, just pop one in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds. Seriously, it’s the quickest way to get that perfect melty center again!

Frequently Asked Questions about Nutella Cookies

Got questions about these delightful Nutella cookies? I’ve got answers! Baking is all about feeling confident, so let’s clear up any kitchen mysteries you might have. Whether it’s about swapping ingredients or getting that ultimate gooey center, I’m here to help!

Can I use a different type of chocolate spread?

You sure can! While nothing beats classic hazelnut-Nutella, other chocolate or peanut butter spreads will work. Just know that the flavor will change, and creamy spreads work best to keep things gooey.

How do I ensure a truly gooey center?

The secret lies in two things: chilling the dough properly and *not* overbaking! Pull these Nutella cookies out when the edges are golden but the centers still look a little soft. They finish baking on the hot pan.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Absolutely! Portion out your dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet until firm. Then, you can transfer them to a freezer bag. Just bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time, for perfect Nutella cookies anytime!

Nutritional Information

Alright, let’s talk numbers for these dreamy Nutella cookies! Keep in mind these are just estimates since everyone’s kitchen is a little different. Based on a serving size of one cookie, you’re looking at roughly 250 calories, 25g of sugar, and 14g of fat. It’s always handy to remember that variables like your specific brand of Nutella or how you scoop your flour can slightly change things up. Super handy for planning your meal planning, right?

Share Your Nutella Cookie Creations!

I absolutely LOVE seeing what you’ve all been baking! If you make these Nutella cookies, please, please, please leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. Better yet, snap a pic and share it on social media – tag me so I can see your amazing creations! It totally makes my day and helps keep that cooking joy going, which is what Pure Cooking Joy is all about – sharing delicious moments! You can find us and share your goodies over on Facebook!

Soft Nutella Cookies with Gooey Centers

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Discover how to make incredibly soft and gooey Nutella cookies with a rich hazelnut chocolate flavor. These easy cookies are perfect for holiday baking and sharing.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 11 min
• Total Time: 1 hr 31 min
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Nutella
• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Gently fold in the Nutella until streaks of chocolate appear throughout the dough. Do not overmix.
6. If using, stir in the chopped hazelnuts.
7. Cover the dough and chill for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to scoop. This step is crucial for achieving a gooey center.
8. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
9. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
10. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers still look soft and slightly underbaked. For an extra gooey center, err on the side of less baking time.
11. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• For an even more intense Nutella flavor, you can place a small dollop of Nutella in the center of each cookie dough ball before baking.
• These cookies are best enjoyed warm, with their molten centers.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Consider these cookies as a delightful addition to your meal planning, offering a sweet treat that’s easy to prepare.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 80mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 40mg