Nutella Heart Thumbprint Cookies

When it comes to baking, thumbprint cookies are a timeless favorite. Their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with a sweet center makes them an essential treat for any occasion. But what if we took this classic recipe and gave it a rich, chocolatey twist? Enter Nutella Heart Thumbprint Cookies!

These cookies maintain the same soft, buttery base you know and love, but instead of filling them with jam, we’re using Nutella for a creamy, indulgent chocolate-hazelnut filling. Perfect for holiday baking, Valentine’s Day, or simply when you’re in the mood for a decadent cookie that feels extra special.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Nutella Heart Thumbprint Cookies:

For the Dough:

• Unsalted Butter: Brings a rich, buttery flavor to the dough, essential for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the dough subtly and contributes to the tender texture.
• Egg yolk: Acts as a binding agent and adds moisture, helping the cookies stay soft.
• Ground Vanilla or Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and stability to the cookies, balancing the wet ingredients.
• Lemon Zest: Adds a hint of fresh, citrusy flavor that complements the jam filling.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing the flavor profile and balancing the sweetness.

For the Filling and Topping:

• Nutella: The star ingredient for the filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds a beautiful finishing touch.

You’ll need the following tools for making the Nutella Heart Thumbprint Cookies:

• Mixing Bowls: A large bowl for combining the cookie dough ingredients and smaller ones for measuring.
• Measuring Scale: To accurately measure all your ingredients in grams.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: For creaming the butter and sugars, and mixing the dough.
• Spatula: To fold in the dry ingredients and combine the mixtures.
• Baking Sheet: For baking the cookies.
• Parchment Paper: To line the baking sheet, preventing the cookies from sticking.
• Cookie Scoop: To evenly portion out the dough.
• Cooling Rack: For allowing the cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Piping Bag: To fill the cookies with the Nutella.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 150g (⅔ cup) softened butter
• 2 egg yolks
• 250g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 75g (⅔ cup) powdered sugar
• Zest of 1 organic lemon
• 1 pinch of salt
• A pinch of ground vanilla (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)

For the Filling and Topping:

• 100g (⅓ cup) Nutella
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions:

Make the Cookies:

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, egg yolks, powdered sugar, lemon zest, salt, flour and ground vanilla. Mix the ingredients together until they form a smooth, uniform dough. Be careful not to over-knead, as this could make the cookies tough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for about 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps it firm up, making it easier to shape.
2. Preheat the Oven: When you’re ready to start shaping the cookies, preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) with top and bottom heat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
3. Shape the Cookies: Remove the dough from the fridge and portion it into small, equal-sized pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball (about the size of a large marble). Flatten each ball slightly with your palm and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave some space between the cookies, as they may spread a little while baking.
4. Create the Heart Indentation: To give these cookies their signature look, use your index finger or the back of a small teaspoon to press a heart shape into the center of each cookie. Gently press down in a V shape to create the heart; you can adjust and reshape as needed to get that perfect heart indentation. This little step adds an adorable detail to the cookies, making them extra special for holiday gifting!
5. Chill Again (Optional but Recommended): For the best results, place the shaped cookies back in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before baking. Chilling them again will help them maintain their shape in the oven, resulting in a cleaner, more defined heart shape.

Bake & Serve:

1. Bake: Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden color. Keep an eye on them; these cookies are meant to be soft and delicate, so avoid overbaking. When done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
2. Fill with Nutella: Once the cookies are cool, spoon or pipe Nutella into the center of each heart-shaped indent. A piping bag or small zip-top bag with the corner snipped off works well for precise filling.
3. Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once the cookies have completely cooled, dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a festive finishing touch. The powdered sugar adds sweetness and makes the cookies look beautifully snowy, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Tips & Tricks:

Tips for the Cookies:

• Choose Quality Butter: Since butter is a primary ingredient in this recipe, using high-quality, unsalted butter will significantly improve the flavor and texture.
• Decorative Touch: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the Nutella for a gourmet touch, or add festive sprinkles for holidays.
• Chill the Dough for Clean Shapes: Chilling the dough before and after shaping is crucial. It prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps them hold their heart shape while baking.
• Use a Fine Lemon Zest: When zesting the lemon, be careful not to include the bitter white pith. A fine zest will incorporate better into the dough, releasing its aroma without affecting the texture..

Storage Tips:

• At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• In the Refrigerator: Extend their freshness by storing in the fridge for up to a week.
• In the Freezer: Freeze baked cookies (without filling) for up to 2 months. Add Nutella after thawing for best results.

Variations

• Double Chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolate-flavored base.
• Nutella Swirl: Mix a small amount of cream cheese or heavy cream into the Nutella to create a swirl effect for filling.
• Mini Versions: Roll smaller dough balls for bite-sized cookies, perfect for parties or dessert platters.

More Christmas Baking Ideas:

• Grinch Crinkle Cookies – These bright green cookies are fun, festive, and finished with a sweet sugar heart, making them the perfect treat to spread Christmas cheer.
• Santa Hat Cookies – Adorable and delicious, these Linzer-style cookies are filled with fruity jam and topped with icing for the perfect Santa hat look.
• Melted Snowman Cookies – Fun and whimsical, these sugar cookies feature melted marshmallows and chocolate decorations for a snowman that’s sure to melt your heart.
• Roasted Matcha Cookies – Add a sophisticated touch to your holiday spread with these earthy roasted matcha cookies, topped with a creamy layer and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
• Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne) – A German Christmas classic, these star-shaped cookies are made with almonds, hazelnuts, and a sweet glaze, delivering a taste of tradition with every bite.

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: