Irresistible Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

When the sweet aroma of chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies wafts through your kitchen, magic happens.

These delectable treats blend rich, nutty flavors with a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

Crisp edges give way to soft, buttery centers filled with luscious chocolate hazelnut spread.

Each cookie is a miniature work of art, carefully crafted with love and precision.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a dessert that looks impressive yet requires minimal baking skill.

Baking these cookies promises moments of pure joy and indulgence that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to become the star baker with this irresistible recipe that turns an ordinary afternoon into a celebration of sweetness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling time)

Cook Time: 8 minutes per batch

Total Time: 35 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling)

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients Used in Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure and softness to the cookies, ensuring a delicate crumbly texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich, deep chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color to the cookies.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the sweet chocolate notes, bringing out deeper taste dimensions.

• Butter: Creates a luxurious, creamy base that ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
• Caster Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve a light, airy cookie structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth that complements the chocolate beautifully.
• Egg Yolks: Contribute richness, moisture, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Dark Chocolate: Intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds a sophisticated depth to the cookie.

• Hazelnuts: Provide a delightful crunchy texture and nutty flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate.
• Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: Creates a luscious, glossy center that adds extra indulgence and rich flavor to the cookies.

Equipment for Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate Hazelnut

• Mixing Bowls: Medium and large sizes for separating dry and wet ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Essential for beating butter and creating smooth cookie dough.
• Spatula: Needed for stirring ingredients and scraping bowl sides.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking Trays: Two lined with parchment paper for baking cookies.
• Ice Cream Scoop or Spoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.
• Measuring Tablespoon: Used for creating thumbprint indentations.
• Optional Piping Bag: For precise chocolate hazelnut spread filling.
• Round Cookie Cutter: Helps reshape cookies if needed.
• Cooling Rack: Useful for letting cookies cool completely.

Baking Instructions for Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

• Nutty Chocolate Base

Blend flour, cocoa, and salt in a mixing bowl creating a rich dry foundation for the cookies.

• Butter Cream Magic

Whip softened butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a fluffy cloud-like texture.

• Flavor Infusion

Fold in vanilla, egg yolks, and melted dark chocolate, stirring until the batter becomes smooth and glossy.

• Dough Formation

Gently incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, forming a soft and pliable cookie dough.

• Hazelnut Coating

Roll dough into small balls and lovingly roll them through chopped hazelnuts, creating a crunchy exterior.

• Chilling Preparation

Place coated dough balls in refrigerator for two hours to firm up and develop deep flavors.

• Oven Transformation

Bake cookies in preheated oven, watching them turn from soft dough to crisp delights.

• Cookie Sculpting

Create gentle indentations in warm cookies using a spoon, preparing space for luscious filling.

• Chocolate Embrace

Generously dollop chocolate hazelnut spread into cookie centers, creating a decadent surprise.

• Final Touch

Allow cookies to cool completely, letting the flavors meld and textures settle into perfect harmony.

Tips to Perfect Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

• Swap hazelnuts with almonds, pecans, or pistachios for different flavor profiles and crunchy textures that complement the rich chocolate base.
• Replace chocolate hazelnut spread with salted caramel, raspberry jam, or white chocolate ganache to create unique and exciting flavor combinations that surprise your taste buds.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in refrigerator, or freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months, allowing for convenient and flexible baking schedules.
• Use a digital kitchen scale for exact dough measurements, ensuring consistent cookie sizes and uniform baking results every single time.
• Let cookies cool completely before adding filling to prevent spread and maintain a clean, professional-looking presentation that looks bakery-worthy.

How to Serve Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies Neatly

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair these rich chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies with a warm cappuccino or espresso, letting the nutty and chocolate flavors mingle perfectly.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Create a stunning presentation by arranging cookies on a beautiful slate or wooden board, garnished with fresh hazelnuts and a light dusting of cocoa powder for sophisticated visual appeal.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Package these delightful cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine or ribbon, making them a charming homemade gift for friends, family, or holiday gatherings. Include a small tag with a personal note for extra warmth.
• Dessert Wine Pairing: Serve alongside a small glass of sweet dessert wine like Port or Madeira, which complements the deep chocolate and nutty undertones of the cookies, creating a luxurious tasting experience.

Storage Advice for Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

• Cookie Batch Strategy: Prepare double the recipe and freeze half the dough for spontaneous baking moments. This smart technique saves time and ensures fresh cookies are always within reach.
• Chilled Storage Magic: Keep finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap unbaked dough balls tightly in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling in hazelnuts and baking.
• Moisture Control Tip: Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to help maintain cookie softness and prevent them from becoming too crisp or dry during storage.

Magical Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling)
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies blend European baking traditions with nutty, sweet indulgence. Delicate cookies with hazelnut crumble and smooth chocolate center offer delightful sensory pleasures you will savor completely.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¼ cups (187 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
• ⅓ cup (30 g) cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 cup (125 g) hazelnuts, toasted and finely chopped
• ⅔ cup (165 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup (140 g) caster sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ⅔ cup (133 g) dark chocolate, melted
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (150 g) chocolate hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Blend cocoa powder, flour, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring a uniform dry mixture for the cookie base.
2. Creaming: Whip butter and sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, developing a light texture.
3. Wet Ingredients: Integrate vanilla extract, egg yolks, and melted dark chocolate into the butter mixture, creating a smooth, consistent blend.
4. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, forming a cohesive dough that combines all components seamlessly.
5. Coating and Chilling: Roll dough into small spheres, meticulously coat with finely chopped hazelnuts, and refrigerate for 2 hours to intensify flavors and firm up the texture.
6. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 160°C (fan-forced) or 170°C (conventional), lining baking trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
7. Baking Process: Distribute hazelnut-coated dough balls on prepared trays, ensuring adequate spacing. Bake individually on the middle rack for about 8 minutes, monitoring to prevent over-browning.
8. Shaping and Filling: Once cooled, create a gentle indentation in each cookie’s center using a measuring spoon. Fill the wells precisely with chocolate hazelnut spread using a spoon or piping bag.
9. Finishing: Allow cookies to set completely, permitting the spread to stabilize and flavors to harmonize before serving.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Depth: Refrigerating the dough for 2 hours helps develop rich, complex flavors and prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• Hazelnut Coating Trick: Roll dough balls generously in chopped hazelnuts for a delightful crunch and beautiful textural contrast.
• Precise Indentation Technique: Use the back of a measuring spoon to create uniform, clean centers without cracking the cookie surface.
• Spread Application Pro: Use a piping bag for clean, precise filling of chocolate hazelnut spread, ensuring a professional and elegant final presentation.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling time)
• Cook Time: 8 minutes per batch
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg