The Most Heavenly Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Soft, buttery chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies promise a delightful twist on classic treats.

Rich cocoa swirls through tender dough, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Nutty hazelnuts add unexpected crunch and depth to each bite.

Delicate indentations filled with smooth chocolate spread invite playful exploration.

These elegant cookies bring warmth to any gathering or quiet afternoon.

Crumbly edges and glossy centers make them impossible to resist.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom with each sweet, rich morsel.

Why Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies Are Always A Hit

• Whip Up Quickly: These cookies come together in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or when you need a fast dessert.
• Create Memorable Family Moments: The interactive thumbprint technique is fun for kids to help, turning baking into a playful family activity that creates sweet memories.
• Elevate Everyday Treats: The combination of rich hazelnuts and chocolate hazelnut spread transforms simple cookies into a gourmet-style dessert that feels luxurious yet approachable.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for holiday gatherings, afternoon tea, potlucks, or as a delightful homemade gift that will impress friends and family with minimal baking skills required.

Ingredients For Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, tender crumb.
• Finely Chopped Hazelnuts: Adds nutty flavor and interesting texture to the cookies.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates richness and helps cookies achieve a tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to the cookie's golden color and crisp edges.

• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, deep flavor and complements the chocolate and hazelnut notes.
• Nutella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread): Fills the thumbprint and adds a decadent chocolate-hazelnut flavor to the cookie.

How To Prepare Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Whip Up a Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Whip these ingredients until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud of sweetness.

Step 3: Introduce Moisture and Flavor

Crack in an egg and splash some vanilla extract. Mix until everything comes together in a smooth, glossy embrace.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Finely chopped hazelnuts

Whisk these ingredients until they’re perfectly integrated.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Worlds

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Watch as a beautiful dough emerges, ready to become delicious cookies.

Step 6: Shape Adorable Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into cute little balls, each about the size of a golf ball. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, giving each cookie some breathing room.

Step 7: Create Signature Thumbprints

Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to create a gentle indent in the center of each cookie. This is where the magic will happen!

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let the cookies bake for 10-12 minutes. They should turn a beautiful light golden color around the edges. Once out of the oven, give those thumbprints a gentle press to deepen their wells.

Step 9: Fill with Chocolate Hazelnut Decadence

Once the cookies have completely cooled, grab your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread. Spoon or pipe the spread into each delightful thumbprint, creating a luxurious center that will make taste buds dance.

Enjoy your homemade chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies – a perfect blend of nutty, sweet, and utterly irresistible!

Tips To Improve Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

• Precision in Measuring: Use exact measurements for flour and sugars to ensure consistently soft, perfectly textured cookies every time.
• Chop Hazelnuts Finely: Ensure hazelnuts are very finely chopped to distribute evenly throughout the dough and prevent large chunks from disrupting cookie texture.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Let butter, egg, and other ingredients sit at room temperature for better blending and smoother cookie dough consistency.
• Gentle Thumbprint Technique: Create indentations carefully without breaking the cookie's structure, using the back of a teaspoon for uniform, clean centers.
• Storage Success: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate shape and prevent sticking.

How To Store Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

• Keep freshly baked chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate shape.
• Refrigerate filled cookies for extended freshness, allowing them to stay delicious for an additional 3 days.
• Freeze unfilled cookies in a sealed freezer-safe container for up to 3 months – simply thaw at room temperature and fill with Nutella when ready to serve for maximum flavor and texture preservation.

Delicious Pairings With Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

• Brew Rich Espresso Pairing: Enjoy these decadent cookies alongside a shot of bold espresso. The intense coffee flavor complements the sweet chocolate hazelnut spread, creating a luxurious taste experience that balances the cookie's richness.
• Sip Creamy Hazelnut Latte: Pair the thumbprint cookies with a warm hazelnut latte for a harmonious blend of nutty flavors. The creamy milk and hazelnut syrup enhance the cookie's subtle nut undertones, making each bite more indulgent.
• Match with Sweet Dessert Wine: A small glass of sweet Moscato d'Asti or late harvest Riesling perfectly matches these cookies. The wine's delicate sweetness and light bubbles cut through the cookie's richness while highlighting the chocolate and hazelnut notes.
• Serve with Cold Milk Splash: Grab a chilled glass of whole milk to accompany these thumbprint cookies. The cool, creamy milk provides a classic contrast to the warm, nutty cookie, creating a comforting and nostalgic dessert moment.

New Twists For Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

• Nutty Chocolate Chip Upgrade: Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough for extra chocolatey crunch and enhance the hazelnut flavor profile.
• Espresso Hazelnut Edition: Add 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients to create a rich, deep coffee undertone with the chocolate spread.
• Salted Caramel Swap: Replace Nutella with homemade salted caramel sauce, creating a decadent contrast between sweet cookie and salty caramel filling.
• Raspberry Chocolate Fusion: Fill the thumbprints with a small dollop of raspberry jam alongside a drizzle of melted chocolate hazelnut spread for a fruity, tangy dimension.

Answers For Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies Questions

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of hazelnuts?

You can substitute chopped almonds or pecans if you prefer. Just make sure to finely chop them to maintain the cookie’s texture and ensure even distribution in the dough.

• Do I need a special tool to make the thumbprint indentation?

No special tool is needed! You can use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to create the indentation. The key is to be gentle and create a shallow well in the center of each cookie.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping and baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading. Also, make sure your butter isn’t too soft when creaming.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the shaped cookies before baking for up to a month. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when baking from frozen.

Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies bring warmth from Italy’s rich baking traditions. Delicate cookies with rich chocolate centers promise delightful moments of pure indulgence for cookie enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup finely chopped toasted hazelnuts
• ½ cup Nutella or homemade chocolate hazelnut spread

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Garnish Ingredients:

• ¼ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
• Powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream together softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and airy, using an electric mixer for about 2-3 minutes.
3. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending until smooth and well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine flour, salt, baking powder, and finely chopped hazelnuts using a whisk.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
6. Gently roll the dough into small, uniform balls approximately 1-inch in diameter, positioning them evenly across the prepared baking sheet with sufficient spacing.
7. Create a distinctive indentation in the center of each cookie using either your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, ensuring a gentle but firm press.
8. Transfer the cookie sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for light golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
9. Once removed from the oven, carefully press the centers again to reinforce the thumbprint impression, then allow the cookies to cool completely.
10. Fill each cooled cookie’s center with a generous dollop of chocolate hazelnut spread, using either a spoon or piping bag for precise application.

Notes

• Add extra chopped hazelnuts to the dough for a more intense nutty crunch that elevates the cookie’s texture and flavor profile.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create more precise, compact cookie shapes during baking.
• Swap Nutella with dairy-free chocolate spread for a vegan-friendly version, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these delightful treats.
• Use a small measuring spoon or the back of a clean cork to create perfectly uniform and neat thumbprint indentations without sticking to the dough.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 152
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg