Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies are rich, buttery cookies rolled in toasted hazelnuts and filled with creamy Nutella for a perfect chocolate-hazelnut treat. They have a tender, shortbread-like texture that melts in your mouth with every bite.
These cookies remind me of the classic raspberry thumbprints my mom used to bake for the holidays, only now they get a modern twist with Nutella. If you love simple, elegant cookies with a little indulgence, this one belongs on your baking list.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Buttery texture: each cookie has that melt-in-you-mouth shortbread crumb.
Nutty crunch: toasted hazelnuts give a deep flavor and delicate crunch.
Chocolate bliss: the Nutella center and chocolate shortbread makes every bite rich and creamy.
Key Ingredients for Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- White whole wheat flour: adds a wholesome touch while keeping the cookies tender.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: deepens the chocolate flavor in the dough.
- Hazelnuts: toasted and finely chopped for a nutty coating that stays crisp.
- Nutella: the perfect creamy filling for a chocolate-hazelnut finish.
- Butter: provides structure and that classic shortbread flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Use chopped almonds or pecans instead of hazelnuts for a different nutty flavor.
- Swap Nutella for chocolate buttercream.
- Use all-purpose flour in place of white whole wheat for a slightly lighter texture.
Variations on Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
- Holiday sparkle: dust the tops with edible gold shimmer or powdered sugar.
- Double chocolate: add mini chocolate chips to the dough before shaping.
- Fruit filled: skip the Nutella and fill the centers with raspberry jam for a chocolate-berry combo.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
- Chill the dough if it feels too soft before rolling, it helps maintain shape.
- Toast the hazelnuts before chopping, this step makes the flavor shine.
- Add Nutella after cooling to keep the centers smooth and glossy.
How to Store
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serve With...
Serve these Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies on a dessert tray with Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies, Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies, and Maple Walnut Biscotti with Maple Icing. They're also wonderful alongside a cup of hot coffee or cocoa for a cozy afternoon treat.
More Holiday Cookies You'll Love
If you enjoy these cookies, you might like my Lemon Cake Mix Cookies, Eggnog Sugar Cookies with Rum Glaze, Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookies, and Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies.
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies with Nutella
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup finely chopped toasted hazelnuts
- ⅓ cup Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Place butter in large mixing bowl and beat with mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Whisk egg yolk and espresso to combine. Add yolk mixture to butter mixture and beat at low speed until just combined.
- Turn dough out onto smooth surface and knead about 6 times until smooth. Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
- Roll sides of dough balls in chopped toasted hazelnuts, pressing gently to allow nuts to adhere to dough. Arrange on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Press thumb into center of each cookie leaving an indentation.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove cookies from pans and cool completely.
- Once cooled, spoon about ½ teaspoon of Nutella spread into center of cookie.
Jamie says
Argh! Chocolate hazelnut thumbprints! Argh! I want! They look fabulous and so chocolate-y great!
Flourchild says
I missed these yummy looking cookies..the close up shot of them is making me drool! I think these would look wonderful on my cookie platter for Christmas!
Mrs. L says
Those thumbprints look amazing. And there is Nutella? Oh man, I need to crack open latest CL and check them out!
noble pig says
Beautiful, I happen to be going to a hazelnut farm today!!
Amanda says
Those are gorgeous Shelby!!
Pam says
Oh Shelby - you have me drooling. They look absolutely delicious.
Jason says
The chocolate in the middle looks amazing!
theUngourmet says
oh my goodness! These are outstanding! I love hazelnuts and chocolate together.
I'm baking some cookie bars right now. I'll have to try these next. 😛
CookiePie says
Oh Shelby - those are gorgeous -- and you said the magic word: Nutella!!
Katy ~ says
Ps Your picture is 100x better than the one on the recipe site!
Katy ~ says
Shelby, of all the new cookie recipes I've seen this season, these have to be THE BEST and I'm not even a chocolate lover, but I do love nutella (go figure). Absolutely positively beautiful.
Jessie says
I adore nutella! I think this is going to be the next cookie I bake! Now I just need to pick up some nutella
averagebetty says
Ya know HoneyB... I may have to be the Grumpy today. I don't like hazelnut or nutella. I know. I'm probably the only one in the world. But the photos look gorgeous!
petitechef says
droooooling over here!!! YUM!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Hope you had a nice thanksgiving!
Mags says
Wow Shelby, that is one gorgeous photo!
teresa says
i remember seeing these and wanting them too! great cookies! i have an award for you on my blog!
Helene says
Oh my Shelby, I am going to a cooking exchange next week and these may be on the list. I'm a Nutella lover. Thanks for baking those cookies for our cookie exchange.
Fallon says
Ohhh yum!
Frieda says
Yum! I'm gonna have to buy a super sized jar of Nutella and make these soon!
Aggie says
The minute I saw this months CL issue I fell in love with these too...I love love love Nutella!! Yours look exactly like theirs!! Great job! 🙂 These wouldn't last very long at my house...
pigpigscorner says
OMG this looks so good!!
Allison says
I, too, was eyeing this recipe. I think you've convinced me. This is going on my "to try" list. On another note, may I ask how you get such amazing photos? I'm a total klutz at food photography myself. All of your pictures make me drool.
Maria says
So these get your approval? 🙂 I am baking today and want to make the best cookies, these might have it:)
Patsyk says
They are gorgeous! I adore hazelnut, so I know I would love these!
Dawn says
I am NOT making these! No way! Damn! I would eat them all. Gorgeous photo.
Katie says
Just when I was about to make your eggnog thumbprint cookies, you go and post something that looks equally fantastic! I'm off to the store to buy some nutella!
Jamie says
Wow, that cookie looks like it wants to jump off the computer screen into my mouth. Too bad we couldn't meet in person so I could have taken these home. Look amazing and I'm sure they taste amazing too.
susies1955 says
OH MY GOODNESS that looks good. 🙂
Awesome,
Susie
Bellini Valli says
They look so delicious Shelby. A perfect treat for our virtual supper club!!!!I don't think I could stop eating them either!!