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Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

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Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with creamy Nutella. They’re delicious and easy to make.

A top-down view of cookies on a plate and on a wooden cutting board. A piping bag full of Nutella and the jar of Nutella sit to the side.

Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies transform the classic Thumbprint cookie to gourmet status.

These Nutella Thumbprint cookies are soft and tender in the middle with a delightful crunch on the outside.

The creamy Nutella filling has you anticipating that creamy chocolate hazelnut bite in the center.

This Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies with nuts is so versatile, can be made ahead. Make plenty because they disappear quickly.

Close-up sideview photo of a Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint cookie.

My daughter first discovered Nutella while studying in France. When she came home, she would buy her own jar and it was off limits!

I don’t think the rest of us really cared. What you don’t know won’t hurt you and all of that gibberish. Well, her mamma raised no fool!

I had some hazelnuts leftover and in the freezer from the Esterhazy Torte that I made. They would stare me in the face every time I opened the door (yes, I channel food. It talks to me).

A close up a hazelnut thumbprint cookie filled with a swirl of Nutella. Cookies, a jar of Nutella, and a piping bag are in the background.

I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to use some of those nuts.

A thumbprint cookie is quite simply a cookie dough that has an indentation in the center that’s filled after baking. It’s like a cookie with benefits!

How to make Thumbprint Cookies

There’s a detailed video in the recipe card.

We used an electric stand mixer for this recipe but you can just as easily mix it by hand.

Also, we preheated our oven before we even got started. Ovens vary but you want it well heated before the cookies are ready to bake.

6-photo collage of mixing the wet ingredients including egg yolks, butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, and almond milk.
Wet ingredients
  1. Add the wet ingredients including butter, egg yolks, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, and almond milk.
  2. Beat on a medium speed until ingredients are well combined and fluffy.
To photo collage of combining flour and salt for Hazelnut Thumbprint cookies.
Dry ingredients
  1. Add flour and salt to the wet ingredients.
Thick cookie batter in the bowl of an electric mixer.

As you can see, the batter will be thick.

Shaped thumbprint dough hovering oven a bowl of chopped nuts.
  1. Shape dough into 2-tablespoon balls.
Three photo collage of applying and shaping hazelnuts to a thumbprint cookie.
Coat and indent Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
  1. Roll the balls of dough in egg whites.
  2. Roll balls of dough in the chopped hazelnuts.
  3. Press the top of the dough ball to make an indent. You can also use the back of a wooden spoon or any utensil with a round handle.
Two photo collage of cooling Hazelnut Thumbprint cookies and of a cookie being filled with Nutella with a piping bag.

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  1. Bake and allow the cookies to completely before cooling. If cookies are warm the Nutella filling will not keep its piped shape.
Angled view of a Hazelnut Thumbprint cookie being filled with Nutella.

Thumbprint tips and variations

  • Hazelnuts can be hard to find, can be expensive, or not your favorite nut.
    • Exchange them for walnuts, almonds, macadamias, pecans, or peanuts.
    • We used dry-roasted unsalted hazelnuts.
  • We love the combination of the Nutella and hazelnuts. But you can use other fillings such as these.
    • Jam
    • Chocolate kisses
  • We bake our cookies on parchment paper or on a silicone matt. Putting the cookies on a greased baking sheet can cause the cookies to spread.
  • We used a piping bag with a star tip.
    • If you don’t have a piping bag, you can snip the corner of a plastic bag or just spoon it in.
Sideview of three Nutella Filled Thumbprint cookies on a white plate. A hand is picking up the front one.

Storage and Make Ahead tips

  • This recipe makes approximately 22 cookies which is great for sharing. These cookies can also be frozen after they’ve been baked but before they’re filled in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
    • Nutella has a good shelf life but it isn’t recommended that it be frozen because the texture can change. So, fill them after you’ve removed them from the freezer and allowed them to thaw.
      • Note Nutella can go rancid so pay attention to the use-by date.
  • Baked and filled Hazelnut Baked Cookies should be stored at room temperature, preferably in a cooler area. Refrigerating Nutella can also change its consistency.

Love it? Pin it!

Top-down photo collage of a Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint cookie and a top-down view of cookies on a plate and on a wooden cutting board. A piping bag full of Nutella and the jar of Nutella sit to the side.

We love Nutella, and our Peanut Butter Coffee Cake and Hazelnut Cookie Bars are amazing!

If you like this recipe you may like these recipes too

I would love it if you enjoy this recipe that you will leave me a comment and rate the recipe with 5 stars!  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Close-up sideview photo of a Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint cookie.
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5 from 1 vote

Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

Nutella Filled Hazelnut Thumbprint cookies are quick and easy to make. These cookies have a crunchy roasted hazelnut exterior, a soft cookie interior, and then topped with creamy Nutella.
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Servings 22
Author Julie Menghini

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk (any milk, or cream will work)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs Separate the yolks from the whites.
  • 12 teaspoons unsalted butter (1-1/2 sticks, softened)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup hazelnuts chopped, (I used dry-roasted, unsalted hazelnuts)
  • Nutella

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In the bowl of a standing, electric mixer, combine the butter, combine egg yolks, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
  • Add milk, vanilla extract, flour, and salt. Beat until combined.
  • Chop nuts and put them on a plate large enough to roll your cookies.
  • Beat egg whites with a fork in a small bowl until airy (2 minutes).
  • Scoop two tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Coat the ball in egg whites and then roll in chopped hazelnuts. Gently press your thumb into the center of the cookie until indented. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until lightly browned on the edges. If indentation has disappeared, press gently with the end or a wooden spoon while hot. Cool completely.
  • Pipe or spoon Nutella topping into the indented center. Store in a covered container in a cool place.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 58mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.9mg
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
Tried this recipe? That’s awesome!Mention @hostessatheart or tag #hostessatheart!

Now I’m all for a good cookie and for sharing! Tell me what your favorite cookie is in the comments below because we never have enough cookies.

Comments

  2. Jennifer A Stewart says

    I love thumbprint cookies and these Nutella ones are even better! The brunch from those hazelnuts has me drooling already!

    Reply

  3. Sandra Shaffer says

    I think Nutella should be savored for special recipes like these cookies! What a treat! Ohh, boy. I need to find a way to add these to my growing list of cookie “must bake” recipes.

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you so much, Sandra! I know what you mean about that list! My eyes want to eat everything I’ve seen lately.

      Reply

  9. Debra C. says

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who channels food, LOL! These cookies look amazing, what a treat these would be. Pinning to save your yummy recipe!

    Reply

  13. Nassima says

    Hi, they look yummy, just started making them when I noticed no butter in them, but in fact it is not said when exactly we have to add the butter

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Nassima thank you so much for pointing out the error in my instructions! I actually cream the butter in with the sugar. I will update the recipe immediately. I appreciate you letting me know and thank you for visiting my blog. Have a wonderful day!

      Reply

      • Nassima says

        I actually thank you so much, just added butter to the sugar and eggs and they were so delicious kids and hubby loved them. Thanks so much. I m definitely making them again.
        Thanks

        Reply

        • Julie Menghini says

          Thank you so much Nassima! I’m glad you gave it a go and that you let me know what you thought. I really like these and my neighbor is asking that I bake her a batch too.

          Reply

  15. Ai | Ai made it for you says

    I love Nutella and everything hazelnuts! I could eat about 10 of these right now!

    Reply

  16. Suchitra says

    What delicious looking cookies Julie! They are so very tempting! Thanks for sharing!
    Hope you have a great weekend!

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Michaela! Love that you stopped by. That photography is a hit and miss thing with me sometimes!

      Reply

  20. milkandbun says

    These cookies look sooooo good! Beautiful! I think I could eat a dozen! 😀 Thanks for sharing, Julie!
    Have a lovely weekend!

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you! They were very different from anything that I had ever made or had and I have fallen in love with them! They will be repeated.

      Reply

  21. Amanda @ The Chunky Chef says

    Sweet baby Jesus…. I can’t even tell you how delicious those cookies look!! I’m pretty sure I would devour the entire batch 😛 Cookie Mondays sounds like an awesome thing, I’ll have to check it out 🙂 Thank you for sharing this recipe with us at Fiesta Friday! Pinned, yummed, and stumbled 🙂

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Ha thank you Amanda! I am sure that Emily would love another contributor to her series if you had the time. She has featured some pretty yummy cookies. Thank you for co-hosting Fiesta Friday and sharing my recipe!

      Reply

  22. Jhuls says

    Ha! Better late than never! Welcome to being a Nutella fan. 😉 I just had my 750g of Nutella because there are so much amazig recipes with Nutella anc this is just one of them. Thanks for sharing, Julie. Happy FF! 🙂

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Jhuls! I think I will also be graduating to the larger jar. 🙂 Happy FF to you too.

      Reply

  26. Garden Walk Garden Talk says

    I never had Nutella but this cookie is a reason to buy it. Went to retrieve the recipe. Thanks, Julie.

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you! It was a first for me too! I was afraid to admit it but found I wasn’t the only one. I am a convert!

      Reply

  27. Celebrating Sunshine says

    I love Nutella – I eat it directly from the jar. I’m sure it goes very well with your cookies.

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Ana! I am afraid to eat it from the jar! I’m afraid I wouldn’t stop until it was gone.

      Reply

  29. Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says

    You definitely joined the Nutella party with a bang Julie! These look amazing!

    Reply

  31. simplyvegetarian777 says

    Those cookies left me drooling and I don’t have much of a cookie tooth! Off to reading te recipe. My kids would love it for sure.

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Sonal! No cookie tooth? I can’t even imagine that. The nice thing is they are so quick to make and more shortbread than horribly sweet.

      Reply

      • simplyvegetarian777 says

        I am sold on these. I like artisan kind cookies than the regular ones… You might see mine soon and totally a shout out for you

        Reply

        • Julie Menghini says

          Thank you Sonal! You are such a peach! I like chocolate a lot, but too much sweet and I don’t enjoy it a bit.

          Reply

  33. cookingwithauntjuju.com says

    They look delicious Julie – I have a jar in my pantry waiting for me to make something. I bought it awhile ago for a recipe (can’t remember) and then more recently with Jhuls cheesecake bars. It’s hard to keep up with everything but your cookies are now added to my “nutella” list 🙂

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Judi! I will definitely be making these again. I have those lists of things I want to make but I don’t know where they all go. Trying to come up with dinner tonight and drawing a blank!

      Reply

      • cookingwithauntjuju.com says

        I know the feeling – sometimes I would give Gene a cookbook and tell him to pick out some recipes

        Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you! When you have one of these you know you’ve had a good cookie. Some cookies I eat them and wonder where it went and should I have another? This one satisfies….until I want another one. 🙂

      Reply

  36. davegon says

    What a great looking cookie!! Never too late to join a nutella party. My favorite is making chocolate wafer cookies like oreos, but using nutella for the filling, instead of the white stuff.

    Reply

        • Julie Menghini says

          I had someone that told me that they make chocolate cookies and fill them with nutella! My horizons are opening up on the nutella band wagon.

          Reply

          • FrugalHausfrau says

            My sister puts a tablespoon in milk and puts it in the microwave for a minute for instant hazlenut hot chocolate. It’s too rich for me and not quite smooth.

  37. Jenna says

    Oh my goodness you’ve never had Nutella, you’re going to want to bake with it all the time now!! Its definitely one of my faves 🙂

    Reply

  38. Shari says

    Julie, I am new to Nutella, too! I have only had it once. Your cookies look so delicious with all of those nuts, and then the Nutella in the middle. The way you piped it is so pretty! I saw you said you only allow yourself one a day. I don’t know how you have such self control. I don’t think I could do that. But I would like to try…. 🙂

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Ha! It’s because my jeans are tight and we are going to the Dominican Republic next month! I don’t even want to think about swim suits! 🙂 Now you have the truth. If it was December, they would be gone.

      Reply

      • Shari says

        I feel better now, knowing I’m not alone in not being able to resist cookies! 🙂 How exciting about your trip! You have to do a post on your travels. I would love to see pictures of the Dominican Republic.

        Reply

  39. petra08 says

    Nutella is great! 🙂 Lovely on toast for a quick and easy “hit” but the cooked looks great 🙂

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Ah thank you Petra! I don’t think I could be trusted to have a bit just for breakfast! I’d be sneaking a spoon here and there all day.

      Reply

  40. Stephanie @ The Cozy Cook says

    JULIE!!! I’ve never had Nutella either!!! We’re twins!! Except, now you have, and now you’ve made these delicious cookies, which I would REALLY like to make. Maybe I’ll have to joint the nutella band wagon.. I think it’s time. Wonder if I’ll literally be the last one…..

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Ha! I don’t know that I recommend you start. I have a cake challenge due and I almost made nutella stuffed hazelnut cake. I may have to rename the blog.

      Reply

      • Stephanie @ The Cozy Cook says

        HAHA! Julie- I’m with you. The last thing I need in my life is another unhealthy love affair, I’m quite set as it is! I’ll just take everyone’s word for it!:)

        Reply

  41. Loretta says

    Oh gosh Julie….. you tease!!!!!! These are lip-smacking delicious, I can only dream of what this would taste like. Oh how I wish I had joined the blogging world when my kids lived at home. I dare not tempt myself by making these, as I have no self-control and could very easily down a batch on my own. Or perhaps if we’d lived closer, I’d have visited you for tea one afternoon. 🙂 Great job, loved the picture too and the piping job! Splendid! You are amazing, flitting from being a “bread queen” and now a “cookie queen”? Great stuff Julie!

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Oh Loretta, I would just love to make these and have tea with you! I don’t know how I could have blogged when my kids were home and I worked too! I know lots of ladies do it and some put in lots of hours. The photography is starting to make sense. Of course we are always at the mercy of that darned daylight!

      Reply

      • Loretta says

        Julie, Yes, you’re right about those who blog and work and have families to look after too. Quite amazing! But I guess what I meant by “I wish my kids were still at home with me now when blogging”, was because there are so many wonderful recipes out there, like your nutella cookies, and if I were to make them, I would have absolutely no self-control. If my girls were still living at home, at least they would have helped me -my husband does not have a sweet tooth like me, and even if I were to freeze them, I’d eat them out of the freezer in their frozen state :).

        Reply

        • Julie Menghini says

          Gotcha! A lot of mine go to my young neighbors or to John’s office. They gobble up anything that crosses their doors!

          Reply

  42. mithriluna says

    Julie! This is bad! I now have to make these for my daughter who loves Nutella…Or at least give her the recipe. 🙂

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you! I would love to hear what she thinks! Make sure if you make them to move them out as quickly as possible or she wont get a chance to try them!

      Reply

  43. Johanne Lamarche says

    There could only be one way to improve beloved thumprint cookies…fill them with beautifully piped Nutella!!!! Magnifique, Julie!

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Johanne! I am converted. I agree and will have to move up to the big jar next time! 🙂

      Reply

  44. Dawn says

    These cookies look just wonderful, Julie! I discovered Nutella on my very first visit to Germany many years ago. It is often served at breakfast there. What a lovely way to begin the day! I had to make a little ‘rule’ ~ I only eat Nutella while traveling abroad! Wishing you a sweet week! ♡

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Thank you Dawn! That is a VERY good rule. If I had Nutella for breakfast, it would be all own hill from there!

      Reply

  45. Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says

    Oh my god! These cookies look soo good, Julie! Especially that Nutella!

    Reply

    • Julie Menghini says

      Andrea I have never been this excited about a cookie. I allow myself one a day and boy are they good! Thank you for visiting!

      Reply

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