Name: Nutella Stuffed Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Nutella; 2 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour; 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder; 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1 cup Granulated Sugar (plus extra for rolling); 1 cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature); 1 large Egg (room temperature); 1 Large Egg Yolk (room temperature); 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Jump to Recipe

Picture this: warm, golden sugar cookies that melt in your mouth, each bite revealing a luscious, gooey center of rich Nutella. The sweet aroma of vanilla and baked butter fills your kitchen as the cookies gently cool on the rack — inviting you to sneak one (or two!). This delightful recipe is your answer when you want a show-stopping treat that tastes like it took ages, but truly comes together with ease. Trust me, these Nutella stuffed sugar cookies feel like a hug in dessert form.

Why You’ll Love This Nutella Stuffed Sugar Cookies Recipe

Quick and Easy: Ready in just 42 minutes from start to finish, perfect for satisfying sudden sweet cravings or last-minute gatherings.
Simple Ingredients: Uses common pantry staples like flour, sugar, and butter, plus Nutella for that heavenly chocolate-hazelnut surprise.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy night in, a festive party, or a thoughtful homemade gift, these cookies always impress.
Impressive Presentation: The slightly cracked tops dusted with sugar hide the ooey, gooey Nutella center — an irresistible invitation to indulge.
Customizable: Easy to tweak with your favorite mix-ins, or swap Nutella for other fillings like jam or peanut butter to create endless variations.

Why This Nutella Stuffed Sugar Cookies Recipe Works

This recipe is a masterclass in achieving the perfect balance between tender, buttery cookie dough and a molten Nutella core. The key is freezing spoonfuls of Nutella first, so the filling stays put inside the cookie instead of oozing out. Whipping the butter and sugar until fluffy creates an airy base, while careful measuring of the baking soda and powder ensures just the right rise and texture. Finally, gently rolling the dough around the frozen Nutella dollops keeps every bite buttery and moist with that surprise chocolate center.

Large white rectangular platter displaying a full batch of freshly baked soft cookies filled with rich, creamy chocolate spread, each cookie perfectly round with a golden-baked exterior, arranged neatly in rows to showcase the entire collection, set on a pristine white marble countertop with natural lighting highlighting the texture and inviting chocolate centers, professional 3/4 angle food magazine hero shot photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Nutella Stuffed Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a vital role in layering flavor and texture — from crisp edges to soft centers bursting with Nutella goodness.

Nutella: The star of the show, offering creamy, hazelnut-chocolate decadence.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy, tender structure of the cookie.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Work together to create the cookie’s perfect rise and texture.
Sea Salt: Enhances sweetness and deepens overall flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and caramelizes slightly during baking for a delicate crunch.
Unsalted Butter: Brings rich flavor and tender crumb — make sure it’s at room temperature.
Egg and Egg Yolk: Provide moisture and structure for a chewy, soft cookie.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and aroma, elevating the cookie’s flavor beautifully.

Ingredient Substitutions & Tips

Nutella: Substitute with any chocolate-hazelnut spread or other creamy fillings like cookie butter or peanut butter for a twist.
Unsalted Butter: Can be swapped with salted butter if you reduce added salt slightly.
All-Purpose Flour: Use a gluten-free blend for a gluten-free version, but results may vary in texture.
Granulated Sugar: You can use coconut sugar for a deeper, slightly caramel flavor.

👨‍🍳 Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Freeze Nutella dollops: This stops the filling from melting too quickly and leaking out while baking.
Room temperature eggs and butter: Helps ingredients combine smoothly for a perfect dough texture.
Don’t overmix the flour: Folding just until combined keeps cookies tender instead of tough.
Roll in sugar: This adds a crisp, sweet crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior.
Check the cookie edges: Bake until just the edges start to brown for ideal chewiness.

How to Make Nutella Stuffed Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Freeze Nutella Dollops

Scoop Nutella in teaspoon-sized rounds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them in the freezer while you prep your dough. This step is crucial so your luscious filling stays intact inside the cookies.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a small cookie scoop or two spoons to create uniform rounds for even stuffing.

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. This combo ensures your cookies will have the perfect lift with a tender crumb.

💡 Pro Tip: Sift the flour mixture for lighter cookies free of lumps.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture turns pale and fluffy. This adds air to your dough and provides a lovely texture.

💡 Pro Tip: Scrape the sides regularly to incorporate all the butter evenly.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the whole egg, egg yolk, and pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated. These ingredients build moisture and depth in your cookies.

💡 Pro Tip: Ensure eggs are room temperature for easy blending without curdling.

Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually mix the flour mixture into the wet batter just until combined. Overmixing can develop gluten and result in tough cookies, so stop as soon as you see no streaks of flour.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a spatula for gentle folding motions.

Step 6: Stuff and Shape Cookies

Take about a tablespoon of dough and press into a shallow indentation. Place a frozen Nutella dollop in the center, then cover with another half tablespoon of dough. Roll into a smooth ball and coat in granulated sugar before placing on your baking sheet.

💡 Pro Tip: Seal the edges well to prevent Nutella from leaking.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies’ edges turn lightly golden while the centers stay soft. After baking, let them rest on the sheet briefly before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep a close eye the last few minutes — take them out as soon as edges color to keep cookies chewy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from these common pitfalls:

Nutella not frozen: Causes filling to melt and leak during baking.
Overmixing the dough: Makes cookies tough instead of tender.
Using cold butter or eggs: Results in uneven texture and poor mixing.
Not sealing the dough well around Nutella: Filling can ooze out as cookies bake.
Baking too long: Dries out cookies and hardens the Nutella center.
Skipping rolling in sugar: Loses the delightful crispy coating outside.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered this Nutella Stuffed Sugar Cookies Recipe, these twists will take your baking to a whole new level:

Peanut Butter Swirl

Replace Nutella with a creamy peanut butter dollop frozen the same way for a nutty, savory-sweet surprise.

Raspberry Jam Filling

Swap Nutella for your favorite raspberry or strawberry jam for a fruity contrast that pairs perfectly with vanilla sugar cookies.

Salted Caramel Center

Use soft caramel squares frozen as the filling and sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt after baking for a sweet-salty indulgence.

Chocolate Chip Crunch

Add mini chocolate chips to the dough itself for extra chocolate bursts alongside the molten Nutella center.

Cinnamon Sugar Twist

Dust the finished cookies with cinnamon sugar instead of plain granulated sugar for a warm, cozy flavor boost.

How to Serve Nutella Stuffed Sugar Cookies Recipe

Single white plate holding one freshly baked chocolate-filled cookie, gently broken open to showcase the smooth, rich chocolate center oozing from the soft, golden-brown crumbly cookie exterior, close-up angle emphasizing the texture contrast between the slightly crisp surface and the creamy filling inside, surrounded by a few crumbs on the white marble surface, natural lighting highlighting the warm tones and inviting appeal, styled food blog aesthetic, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle with a light dusting of powdered sugar, or drizzle melted dark or white chocolate over the cooled cookies for added elegance.

Side Dishes

Enjoy these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or a creamy chai latte to balance the sweet richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange on a decorative platter lined with parchment and fresh mint for a party tray, or individually wrap in cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons for perfect homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The centers stay delightfully gooey for the first day, then soften beautifully over time.

Freezing

Unbaked dough balls can be frozen on baking sheets, then transferred to bags for up to 3 months. When ready, bake from frozen with an extra minute or two.

Reheating

Warm individual cookies for 10-15 seconds in the microwave to re-melt the Nutella center for a fresh-baked experience anytime.

FAQs

Can I use other chocolate spreads instead of Nutella?

Absolutely! Any chocolate-hazelnut, almond, or peanut butter spread works beautifully as a filling in this recipe.

Do I have to freeze the Nutella first?

Yes, freezing is essential to keep the filling inside the cookie without leaking or burning during the bake.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend suitable for cookies, but texture might vary slightly.

Why do the cookies sometimes spread too much?

Make sure your butter is not too soft and your dough is chilled if it’s very warm in your kitchen; warm dough spreads more.

How do I store these cookies to keep them fresh?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, just reduce or omit the additional sea salt in the dough to balance flavors.

What is the best way to shape the cookies?

Use a tablespoon scoop to portion dough, create an indentation for Nutella, then cover and roll into smooth balls for even baking.

How do I get the sugar coating on the cookies?

Simply roll the formed cookie balls in granulated sugar before baking to get that crackly, sparkling crust.

Final Thoughts

This Nutella Stuffed Sugar Cookies Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that feels like a little slice of magic with every bite. The way the soft, sugary cookie pairs with the molten Nutella center creates a beautifully balanced, irresistible treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. I love sharing this recipe because it brings people together, whether it’s kids delighting in the gooey surprise or friends gathering for an indulgent moment.

Have you tried this Nutella Stuffed Sugar Cookies Recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below. If you loved this recipe, please share it with friends and family. Happy cooking! 😊