If you have a soft spot for cookies packed with a luscious surprise inside, this Chocolate Filled Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine biting into a perfectly soft and tender cookie, only to be greeted by a molten core of rich chocolate hazelnut spread that oozes with every bite. This recipe combines the classic comfort of chewy cookies with an indulgent hidden center, making each moment you enjoy these cookies both comforting and exciting. Whether you’re making them for a party, a cozy night in, or just because, these cookies never fail to impress and satisfy your deepest chocolate cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Chocolate Filled Cookies Recipe plays an important role, coming together to create cookies that are perfectly balanced in texture, flavor, and appearance. From the buttery richness to the sweet melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, each component is essential for bringing this treat to life.
- Chocolate hazelnut spread: Choose a creamy, high-quality spread like Nutella for the luscious, gooey filling that steals the show.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled to room temperature, it provides richness and a tender crumb to the cookie dough.
- Light brown sugar: Packed tightly, this adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone that deepens the flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Adds crispness to the edges and balances the softness of the cookie interior.
- Large egg: Room temperature is key to mixing smoothly, binding ingredients, and creating the right structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with that warm, sweet aroma every great cookie needs.
- All-purpose flour: Properly measured to give structure without heaviness; the main canvas for the cookie dough.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise gently and develop a delicate texture.
- Fine sea salt: A pinch intensifies sweetness and brings out the chocolate’s richness.
- Mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate: Adds bursts of chocolate flavor and delightful little bits of texture inside the cookie dough.
How to Make Chocolate Filled Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Filling
Start by scooping teaspoons of your chocolate hazelnut spread onto a parchment-lined tray. This step is crucial because freezing these dollops solid allows you to create that famous molten center, a truly unforgettable part of the cookie experience. Pop them in the freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes until completely frozen.
Step 2: Whisk the Sugars and Butter
While the filling chills, whisk together the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and melted butter vigorously for about one full minute. This vigorous mixing helps to integrate the sugars into the butter, creating a creamy and slightly airy base for your dough, which will contribute to the cookie’s tender texture and rich flavor.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Next, whisk in the room temperature egg and pure vanilla extract. The vanilla enhances the overall flavor, giving the cookies their irresistible scent, while the egg binds everything together, ensuring your dough isn’t just flavorful, but also has the perfect consistency to hold the filling securely during baking.
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Slowly fold in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and sea salt until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender. Then, gently fold in the mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate, adding little bursts of extra chocolate goodness that perfectly complement the creamy filling.
Step 5: Shape and Fill the Cookies
Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out your dough. Flatten each scoop slightly, place one frozen chocolate filling in the center, then fold the dough around it and roll it into a smooth ball. This is where the magic begins—sealing the chocolate inside ensures each cookie hides that spectacular molten surprise until you bite in.
Step 6: Chill the Stuffed Cookies
Arrange the cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and return them to the freezer. Freezing them solid for at least 1 to 2 hours is key to maintaining the shape and preventing the chocolate from leaking out during baking. While chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) so it’s ready once your cookies are perfectly set.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for even cooking. In 10 to 12 minutes, you’ll see edges turn golden, while the centers stay puffy and slightly underbaked—that perfect softness signals a cookie that’s tender and melty inside. Let them cool on the pan for 15 to 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack or indulging right away.
How to Serve Chocolate Filled Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar can add a touch of elegance and a subtle sweetness that complements the cookie’s richness. For a festive touch, sprinkle some crushed toasted hazelnuts on top right after baking to echo the hazelnut filling and introduce a crunchy contrast.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cold glass of milk, both helping to balance the intense chocolate experience. For an adult twist, serve alongside a hot cup of coffee or black tea—the bitterness perfectly complements the cookie’s sweet, creamy filling.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping dessert platter, arrange your cookies on a wooden board surrounded by chocolate curls, hazelnuts, and fresh berries. You could even dip half the cookie in melted chocolate or drizzle extra chocolate sauce on top for double the decadence. Wrapping individual cookies in clear bags tied with a ribbon makes lovely gifts for friends and family too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the baked Chocolate Filled Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 days. This keeps them soft and the chocolate filling luscious but always fresh enough to enjoy without any fuss.
Freezing
You can freeze the stuffed cookie dough balls before baking in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. This is perfect for making batches ahead of time and baking fresh cookies whenever the craving hits!
Reheating
For warm, gooey cookies post-freeze, reheat baked cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. This gently warms the chocolate filling back to its molten glory while keeping the cookie tender and fresh-tasting.
FAQs
Can I substitute the chocolate hazelnut spread?
Absolutely! While Nutella is classic, you can use any chocolate spread you love, even a peanut butter or caramel filling for a fun twist. Just be sure it freezes well to hold its shape inside the cookie.
What if I don’t have mini chocolate chips?
No worries! Finely chopping a bar of chocolate works just as well. This can actually add a slightly different texture and richer chocolate bursts throughout the cookie dough.
How important is chilling the dough and filling?
This step is essential. Chilling helps the dough firm up so it doesn’t melt too quickly in the oven, preventing the filling from leaking out and ensuring the cookies bake evenly with that perfect chewy texture.
Can I make smaller or larger cookies with this recipe?
You can adjust cookie size, but baking time will vary. Smaller cookies bake faster and may not yield as gooey a center, while larger ones need more time. Keep a close eye during baking to avoid overcooking.
How do I prevent the chocolate filling from leaking?
Make sure your filling is well frozen before wrapping it in the dough, and seal the dough tightly around it. Chilling the entire cookie dough ball before baking is crucial to keeping everything inside where it belongs!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the surprise hidden in this Chocolate Filled Cookies Recipe that makes every bite feel like a mini celebration. If you love cookies that are soft, rich, and have an irresistibly gooey center, this recipe is made just for you. Give it a try and watch as these cookies quickly become a beloved favorite for family, friends, and all your special moments.
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Chocolate Filled Cookies Recipe
These delightful Chocolate Filled Cookies feature a gooey Nutella center encased in a soft, buttery cookie dough studded with mini chocolate chips. Perfectly balanced with a slight crunch on the edges and a tender, underbaked middle, these cookies are a decadent treat ideal for chocolate lovers. With a chilled dough preparation and baking method, they provide a rich and indulgent experience.
- Total Time: 3 hours 39 minutes
- Yield: 30 servings
Ingredients
Chocolate Filling
- 1 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella)
Cookie Dough
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter (melted and cooled to room temperature)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 1/8 cup mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate bar
Instructions
- Scoop the chocolate filling: Using a teaspoon, scoop the Nutella onto a parchment-lined tray. Place in the freezer and chill until the Nutella scoops are completely frozen solid, approximately 20-30 minutes.
- Whisk the sugar and butter: In a mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about 1 minute until fully combined and slightly creamy.
- Mix in the wet ingredients: Whisk the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture until smooth and uniform.
- Mix in the dry ingredients: Gently fold in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt until the dough is almost combined. Then fold in the mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate. Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Scoop the cookie dough: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough and flatten each scoop slightly. Place a frozen chocolate filling piece onto the dough, then carefully seal the dough around the filling and roll into a smooth round ball.
- Chill the stuffed cookies: Arrange the filled cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze them until fully solid, at least 1-2 hours. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Bake the cookies: Place the dough balls spaced about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and the centers remain puffy, pale, and slightly underbaked. After baking, cool the pan on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes before removing the cookies.
- Store: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. The unbaked filled cookie dough balls can be stored frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Notes
- For precise flour measurement, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife instead of scooping directly from the bag to avoid packing too much flour into the cup.
- Freezing the Nutella filling and the stuffed cookies ensures a gooey center while maintaining the cookie’s shape and texture during baking.
- Do not overbake the cookies; the centers should remain soft and underbaked for the best texture contrast.
- Use room temperature egg and melted but cooled butter to ensure proper mixing and dough texture.
- If mini chocolate chips are unavailable, finely chopped chocolate bars work equally well.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
