Chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies are the perfect blend of rich, indulgent flavors and simple, festive charm. These cookies feature a soft, buttery base that’s delicately sweet, with a generous thumbprint indentation filled with smooth, melted chocolate and topped with chopped hazelnuts. They’re perfect for the holidays or any occasion where you want to add a touch of elegance to your cookie tray.
The dough for these thumbprint cookies is rich and slightly crisp at the edges, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that balances the chocolate and hazelnut fillings. Ground hazelnuts or hazelnut flour can be added to the dough itself to bring that nutty flavor into every bite. The dough is rolled into small balls, then gently pressed in the center to create the thumbprint indentation.
Once baked, the cookies are filled with a luscious chocolate ganache or melted chocolate, which creates a rich, creamy center. To elevate the nutty flavor, each cookie is sprinkled with finely chopped hazelnuts, adding both texture and crunch. The hazelnuts also bring a beautiful contrast to the smooth chocolate, making every bite an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.
What makes these cookies so delightful is the balance between the buttery, slightly sweet base, the creamy chocolate center, and the crunch of the hazelnuts. They’re rich without being overwhelming, and the nuttiness pairs beautifully with the chocolate.
These cookies are perfect for holiday baking, but they also make a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family. Pack them in a tin, and you’ve got a sweet, homemade treat that’s bound to impress. Whether for a holiday cookie exchange, a special occasion, or just a cozy afternoon treat, chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies are a true crowd-pleaser. They’re the perfect combination of rich flavors and festive spirit in a simple yet stunning cookie.
Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies are a fantastic choice for any special occasion or celebration. These cookies not only taste amazing but also add a touch of elegance to the dessert table. Their unique appearance and combination of flavors make them a delightful treat that is sure to impress your guests.
Whether you are hosting a dinner party, a holiday gathering, or simply want to treat yourself to something extraordinary, these cookies are the perfect choice.
Get ready to bake up a batch of these popular and delicious Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies and delight your taste buds with each bite!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk large
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts toasted and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread such as Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract, and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Place hazelnuts in a small bowl. Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls, then roll in the chopped hazelnuts to coat.
- Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each ball.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until set. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- While the cookies are still warm, spoon the chocolate-hazelnut spread into the indentations. Let cool completely before serving.
This looks too hard for me and I don’t have hazelnuts. Can I skip them?
Why would you bake at 350? That seems too low. I usually do 400 for cookies.
I dunno, man. 400 sounds better for crispiness. 350 seems too low for me. I’d give it a try tho.
Baking at 350°F is pretty standard for cookies. It lets them bake evenly without burning. Trust the recipe!
I always use butter flavored crisco instead of butter, worked fine!
These cookies are simply amazing! The chocolate and hazelnut combo is to die for. My kids loved them! ❤️
Cookies? With hazelnuts?? Amazing! But can you replace butter with something else? Trying to be healthy.
But butter gives it flavor! Why change it?
You can try using coconut oil or applesauce instead of butter! It might change the texture a bit but still tasty!
Is it just me or do hazelnuts taste kinda weird? I skipped that part. Still tasty!
I’m not much of a baker but these were easy! Will make again!
These cookies were a hit at the party! So easy to make and delicious!
Not great for me. Seemed too rich. My husband liked them though.
I think they’re delicious! You might just need to balance them with a cup of coffee or something. My daughter loves them!
These cookies are amazing! I made them for a party and everyone loved them. Will definitely make again!
Yummy in my tummy! 😋👌 Best cookies ever.
These cookies are life! I made them for a party and everyone loved them! 🎉
I dunno about the hazelnuts… are they really necessary? I might skip them next time.
I mean, who would put my thumb on the cookie? What if I accidentally mess it up? 😂
Too much work for cookies. Might just buy cookie dough next time.
I get it, sometimes all the steps seem too much! But trust me, these cookies are worth it. 🍪
Followed the recipe exactly but they turned out flat. What’s up with that?
Honestly, they didn’t taste as good as I thought. Maybe it’s the cocoa? 😕
I’m sorry to hear that! Maybe you overcooked them? The cocoa should add a nice flavor, but sometimes it’s tricky to get it right.
YUMMY!!! Made them for my kids and they ate them all in one day. Going to make again!
Mm these were so good! My kids helped and loved the Nutella part!
These cookies are absolutely delicious! I can’t get enough of that chocolate-hazelnut filling.
I was skeptical at first, but these turned out really good. My dough was a bit crumbly though. Any tips for next time?
I don’t know, sometimes cookies can be tricky. Mine always end up flat. Maybe you should just try not to overmix? Just a thought.
If your dough is crumbly, maybe try adding a bit more butter or milk next time. It helps with the moisture! Glad they turned out good though! 😊
Wait, can you use peanut butter instead of Nutella? Asking for a friend.
Yeah, peanut butter will work but it won’t taste the same. Nutella is sweeter and creamier. Your friend might wanna try it but don’t expect the exact flavor!
Too sweet for my taste! I think the sugar can be cut down a little. Didn’t really taste the hazelnuts.
I found the sweetness just right! Maybe it depends on your taste buds? And the hazelnuts were great for me!
I burnt mine. Ugh. 😩 Followed the time but they got too hard. Maybe my oven is off? Next time I’m gonna watch them closer.
Super chocolaty! I love them! Perfect for my chocolate cravings.
I followed the recipe but they didn’t come out right. Too dry, I think. Maybe I messed up.
I find that if cookies are too dry, it might be due to overbaking or not enough fat. Maybe try checking your oven temperature?
I tried making these, but I didn’t have hazelnuts, so I used almonds instead. Still turned out pretty good, but I think hazelnuts would be better.
I dunno. Hazelnuts are kinda essential for that chocolate-hazelnut vibe, right? But if you liked them, that’s cool!
Almonds work great too! They give it a unique flavor. Glad you enjoyed them! 😋
I added some sea salt on top after baking and it was a game-changer! Sweet and salty! Yum!
I never thought of adding sea salt to cookies! That’s brilliant! Can’t wait to try it.
I had trouble with the dough. It was too dry? Or maybe I mixed it too long? IDK. Gave it a 3.
Just roll it more or mix it less, it’s not rocket science! I think you’re overthinking it, lol.
I had the same issue! The dough seemed a bit crumbly for me too. Maybe try adding a bit more milk next time? 👍