Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite indulgence – Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies! These little gems are like a warm hug for chocolate lovers. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie and discovering a gooey, melty center of rich Nutella just waiting to spill out. It’s pure bliss! Every time I make them, my kitchen fills with the irresistible aroma of buttery chocolate, and I can’t help but sneak a taste or two (or three!).
The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to whip up! You don’t need any fancy skills to create these delightful treats. Just a little patience and a willingness to get your hands a bit messy. The combination of chocolate chunks and that dreamy Nutella center is enough to make anyone weak in the knees. Trust me, once you try these cookies, you’ll want to bake them on repeat. They’re perfect for sharing with friends or just keeping all to yourself – I won’t judge! So, let’s dive into how to make these heavenly cookies that are sure to become your new obsession.
Ingredients List
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
- 1/2 cup Nutella
How to Prepare Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s get started on these scrumptious Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of gooey goodness in no time.
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial because you want your cookies to bake evenly and come out perfectly soft and chewy.
While the oven is warming up, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon to whip it together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Next, add in 2 large eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth batter. Don’t forget to add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract at this point for that lovely flavor boost!
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. You want to avoid overmixing here; a few flour streaks are totally fine!
Now it’s time to fold in 1 cup of chocolate chunks. I like to use a mix of dark and milk chocolate for a delightful flavor contrast, but feel free to use your favorite kind!
Using a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and gently flatten each ball slightly. Now comes the fun part: place a teaspoon of Nutella in the center of each dough portion and carefully fold the dough around it, making sure to completely enclose the Nutella.
Arrange your cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake them in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The centers might look a little soft, but that’s okay; they’ll firm up as they cool!
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the flavors to settle and the cookies to maintain their delicious gooey centers!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy Preparation: You’ll be amazed at how fast these cookies come together, making them perfect for a spontaneous baking session!
- Decadent Gooey Center: The Nutella filling creates a luxurious, molten center that will have everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds!).
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: With generous chunks of chocolate throughout, every bite is a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
- Perfect Texture: These cookies strike the ideal balance between soft, chewy edges and a tender, gooey center that melts in your mouth.
- Customizable: Feel free to get creative! You can mix in nuts or use different types of chocolate to suit your taste.
- Impressive Presentation: They look as good as they taste, making them a hit for gatherings or as a sweet gift for friends.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies turn out perfectly every time, I’ve got a few expert tips that will help you nail that gooey center and delightful texture!
First off, consider chilling your dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This simple step helps the cookies maintain their shape and results in thicker, chewier cookies. Plus, it enhances the flavors as they meld together.
Every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. If your oven runs hot, you might need to reduce the baking time by a minute or two. Conversely, if you notice they’re underbaked after 15 minutes, don’t hesitate to add a couple more minutes until those edges are golden and lovely.
Storage is super important too! Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Just make sure to layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to revive that gooey Nutella goodness!
Variations on Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies
One of the best parts about these Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies is how easy they are to customize! If you’re feeling adventurous, try swapping out the chocolate chunks for white chocolate or even peanut butter chips for a unique twist. You can also mix in some chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, to add a delightful crunch that complements the gooey center.
If you want to amp up the flavor, consider adding a pinch of espresso powder or a splash of almond extract to the dough for a richer taste. For a seasonal touch, fold in some pumpkin spice or cinnamon during the fall months. The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity shine while keeping that delicious Nutella center intact!
Nutritional Information
When it comes to indulging in Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies, it’s nice to know what you’re getting! Each cookie packs a delightful punch of flavor while balancing some nutritional elements. Here’s an estimated breakdown per cookie:
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 2g
Keep in mind that these values are estimates based on typical ingredients used. Enjoying a cookie or two won’t derail your day, especially with that gooey Nutella center making every bite worth it!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I substitute the butter with margarine?
While you can use margarine in a pinch, I highly recommend sticking to unsalted butter for the best flavor and texture. Butter’s richness contributes to the cookies’ deliciousness, while margarine might alter the final result.
Q2: What if I don’t have chocolate chunks?
No worries! If you don’t have chocolate chunks, you can easily use chocolate chips instead. They’ll melt beautifully, and you’ll still get that rich chocolatey flavor in every bite!
Q3: How do I store leftover cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them individually wrapped in plastic wrap or in a freezer-safe bag. Just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back that gooey center when you’re ready to enjoy!
Q4: Can I use gluten-free flour?
Absolutely! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour mix. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for proper texture, and your cookies will still be deliciously gooey and satisfying!
Q5: How can I make my cookies thicker?
To achieve thicker cookies, chill your dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps them hold their shape while baking, resulting in that perfect thick and chewy texture you’re after!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies fresh and delicious, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to enjoy them later, you can freeze the cookies. Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag, and they’ll stay tasty for up to three months.
When you’re ready to indulge again, simply pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to revive that gooey Nutella center. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies: 5 Expert Tips
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies are rich, soft cookies with a gooey Nutella center. Perfect for chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
- 1/2 cup Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chunks.
- Using a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and flatten each ball slightly.
- Place a teaspoon of Nutella in the center of each dough portion and fold the dough around it to fully enclose.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For added texture, mix in chopped nuts.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Experiment with different chocolate types for varied flavors.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Nutella-Filled Chocolate Chunk Cookies, chocolate cookies, dessert recipes, baking, cookies
