Easy and Delicious Nutella Cookies
If you love homemade cookies with a soft and delicious heart, this recipe for Nutella-filled cookies is perfect for you! Not the usual cookies, but delicious rolls of shortcrust pastry that enclose a filling of sweet hazelnut cream creating an irresistible combination of flavors. These filled cookies are incredibly easy to make, ideal for those who have little time but do not want to miss out on the pleasure of a homemade sweet treat.
Their rolled shape makes them original and inviting, perfect to be enjoyed at breakfast with a cup of milk, as an afternoon treat with hot tea, or as a small dessert to end a meal. The softness of the shortcrust pastry, combined with the sweetness and creaminess of Nutella, will captivate the palate of both young and old.
This recipe is designed to be accessible to everyone, even those with little cooking experience. With a few simple ingredients and an intuitive process, you will get golden and fragrant hazelnut cream-filled cookies, ready to be enjoyed in all their goodness. Follow our step-by-step instructions and get ready to bake treats that will become a true must in your recipe collection! The aroma that will fill your kitchen will be a prelude to the delight you are about to savor.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 egg (+ 1 yolk)
- 1/2 packet baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- Nutella®
- jam
- powdered sugar
Tools
- Scale
- Bowl
- Electric Whisk
Nutella Cookies Step-by-Step Recipe
In a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), combine the butter cut into pieces with the sugar. Work the ingredients for a few moments until you obtain a sandy mixture. Add the whole egg, the yolk, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine the liquid ingredients. Sift the flour with the baking powder directly into the bowl. If you want an extra fragrant touch, you can also add a packet of vanillin.
Gradually incorporate the flour into the wet mixture, working the dough just enough to obtain a smooth, homogeneous dough with the soft consistency typical of cookie dough. Avoid over-kneading to maintain the crumbliness of your cookies. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 30-40 minutes. This step is crucial to make the dough easier to roll out and work with.
After the rest time, take the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured work surface with the help of a rolling pin. Form a rectangle about a quarter inch thick. To facilitate rolling and transferring, I recommend rolling out the dough directly on a sheet of parchment paper.
Spread the Hazelnut cream (or your preferred jam) evenly over the surface of the shortcrust pastry using a spatula. Leave a free edge of about half an inch on all sides to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. If the Nutella is too hard, you can soften it by gently warming it in a bain-marie.
Gently roll the shortcrust pastry onto itself, starting from the longer side and sealing the closing edge well. Carefully seal the ends of the roll to contain the filling of your cookies. Transfer the roll, with the parchment paper, inside a loaf pan. Brush the surface of the roll with some milk (or a yolk beaten with a drop of milk) to promote browning of the cookies. Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for about 30-35 minutes, or until the surface is golden. It is normal for small cracks to form on the top during baking.
Once baked, remove the roll from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan before removing it. Once cold, generously dust the surface with powdered sugar. At this point, your roll is ready to be sliced and enjoyed as delicious Nutella-filled cookies.
STORAGE
These hazelnut cream-filled cookies keep at room temperature, under a glass dome or in an airtight container, for 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can slice the roll and freeze the slices individually. When ready to eat, allow them to thaw at room temperature.
NOTES ON INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS:
VANILLIN: If you don’t have vanillin, you can replace it with the grated zest of half a lemon or half an orange for a citrus aroma in your cookies.
HAZELNUT CREAM: You can use your preferred hazelnut cream or jam to fill your cookies: apricots, strawberries, cherries, berries… choose your favorite flavor. Or, for a more indulgent version of your cookies, substitute Nutella or other chocolate or pistachio spread.
VARIATIONS FOR NUTELLA FILLED COOKIE RECIPE
1) WHOLE WHEAT: Substitute type 00 flour with whole wheat flour for a more rustic taste and higher fiber content in your cookies. You may need to add a little more liquid (water or milk) if the dough is too dry.
2) LACTOSE-FREE: Use lactose-free butter and, for brushing, a plant-based beverage of your choice to prepare these cookies. Choose the lactose-free Nutella Veg version.
3) GLUTEN-FREE: For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour mix specific for sweets for your cookies. You may need to add a binder like guar gum to improve the structure of the dough. Follow the specific instructions of the flour mix you use. Instead of hazelnut cream, which may contain gluten, use jam.
4) TWO-TONE: Divide the dough into two parts and add 50 g of unsweetened cocoa powder to one. Roll out the two doughs separately and then layer them before filling and rolling for a scenic effect in your cookies.
A Touch of Creativity: Turn Your Cookie Roll into a Delicious Art Piece:
The beauty of this recipe lies in its incredible versatility, allowing you to transform a simple cookie roll into a unique and personalized creation, capable of reflecting your tastes and creativity in the kitchen. Don’t limit yourself to the classic jam filling: the cookie roll is a blank canvas ready to welcome your favorite ingredients and surprise those who taste it.
EXPLORE FLAVORS
For an even more fragrant and inviting dough, dare with spices! A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the base dough will give a warm and enveloping touch, perfect especially during the colder months. If you love fresh and citrusy flavors, add the grated zest of half a lemon or half an orange to the dough: the aroma released during baking will be simply delicious. For a more exotic touch, try adding a pinch of cardamom or ginger powder.
DELICIOUS AND ORIGINAL FILLINGS
Nutella is a timeless classic, but why not experiment with other fillings to make your cookie roll even more special? For a richer and more structured filling, you can use chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios) mixed with a bit of honey or maple syrup. If you have time, prepare a homemade fresh fruit compote: apples and cinnamon, pears and ginger, or mixed berries will be delicious and fragrant fillings. For a more “adult” touch, you can spread a thin layer of fig or chestnut jam.
A SURPRISE-FILLED DOUGH
Even the base dough can be enriched to create new textures and flavors. Add dark, milk, or white chocolate chips for an extra touch of sweetness. Incorporate coconut flakes for an exotic flavor and slightly crunchy texture. If you love more rustic flavors, try adding a couple of tablespoons of almond or hazelnut flour to the dough.
CREATIVE DECORATIONS:
The eye wants its share too! Before baking, you can decorate the surface of the cookie roll with hazelnut grains, sugar grains, or sliced almonds. After baking and cooling, besides the classic dusting of powdered sugar, you can decorate the roll with a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and a few drops of lemon or milk, or with stripes of melted chocolate.
Let yourself be inspired by your pantry and creativity to transform this simple cookie roll into a little masterpiece of taste! Experiment with unusual combinations and create your favorite version, the one that represents you the most and will surprise those lucky enough to taste it.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Absolutely yes! The cookie dough keeps well in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, wrapped in plastic wrap. In fact, prolonged rest in the refrigerator can even improve the crumbliness of the dough. Just remember to take it out of the fridge about ten minutes before rolling it out to make it more workable.
Doesn’t the Nutella risk leaking out during baking?
By following the recipe and leaving a free edge of about half an inch when spreading the jam, the risk of leakage is minimal. Also, make sure to seal the edges of the roll well before baking it.
Can I freeze the cookie roll?
Yes, you can freeze both the whole roll (before or after baking) and the individual slices. If you freeze it baked, let it cool completely before wrapping it well in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or a food bag. To defrost, leave it at room temperature for a few hours. If you freeze the raw dough, defrost it in the refrigerator before rolling it out and filling it.
