Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Gooey Nutella Center
- Nutella: This is the star of the recipe. Freezing small spoonfuls first creates the gooey lava center inside each cookie.
- Parchment paper: Helps the Nutella scoops freeze cleanly so they are easy to lift and wrap in dough.
- Optional pinch of flaky salt: A tiny pinch on the Nutella center balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate-hazelnut flavor stronger.
For the Cookie Dough
- Unsalted butter: Gives the cookies rich flavor and soft texture. Use softened butter so it creams properly with the sugars.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture, chewiness, and a caramel-like flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Helps the edges bake lightly golden and gives the cookie structure.
- Egg: Binds the dough together and helps the cookies bake soft and thick.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm bakery-style flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Creates the structure of the cookie. Measure carefully so the dough is not too dry.
- Cornstarch: Helps make the cookies tender and soft in the center.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies lift and helps them spread just enough.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate flavor pop.
For Extra Chocolate Flavor
- Chocolate chips: Add melty chocolate pockets around the Nutella center.
- Chopped chocolate: Optional, but it makes the cookies look more bakery-style and dramatic.
- Cocoa powder: Optional if you want a double chocolate cookie base instead of a classic chocolate chip base.
For Finishing
- Extra chocolate chips: Press a few on top after baking for a prettier cookie.
- Flaky sea salt: Adds a sweet-salty finish that makes the cookies taste richer.
- Powdered sugar: Optional for a dessert-shop look.
- Vanilla ice cream: Perfect if you want to serve the cookies warm as a full dessert.
Substitution Tips
If you do not have Nutella, you can use another chocolate-hazelnut spread, cookie butter, peanut butter, or chocolate ganache. Just make sure the filling is frozen before stuffing the cookies so it stays in the center while baking.
You can use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate chips depending on how sweet you like your cookies. For a stronger chocolate flavor, mix chopped chocolate into the dough and add a little espresso powder to deepen the flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.
