The Nutella Chocolate Lava Cookies are the ultimate dessert for chocolate lovers. With crisp edges and soft, fudgy centers filled with a surprise core of gooey Nutella, these cookies are pure decadence in every bite. They’re the perfect balance of rich cocoa flavor and nutty sweetness, guaranteed to impress family, friends, or just yourself on a cozy night in.
These cookies are deceptively simple to make but deliver bakery-level results. Whether you serve them warm for that molten center experience or enjoy them cooled with a glass of milk, they are a guaranteed showstopper. These are ideal for holiday trays, casual get-togethers, or a sweet midweek pick-me-up. One batch might not be enough consider yourself warned!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup chocolate chips
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12 teaspoons Nutella (1 tsp per cookie, frozen in dollops)
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
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Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
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Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your hand.
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Place a frozen dollop of Nutella in the center and fold the dough around it, sealing the edges completely.
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Place the stuffed dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the cookies are set around the edges but still soft in the center.
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Allow to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 32 minutes
Kcal: 270 kcal per cookie | Servings: 12 cookies
Introduction: A Love Letter to Nutella and Cookies
There’s something magical about the moment you break open a warm cookie and see melted chocolate oozing from the center. That exact experience is what makes Nutella Chocolate Lava Cookies so irresistible. Imagine a soft, fudgy chocolate cookie—its edges just crisp enough to hold its shape—concealing a velvety, molten heart of Nutella that melts in your mouth. It’s part nostalgia, part decadence, and all delicious.
For cookie enthusiasts and chocoholics alike, these cookies are the epitome of indulgence. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply craving something sinfully sweet on a cozy night in, this dessert brings a wow-factor that’s easy to create yet tastes like a professional patisserie treat.
The Origins of Lava Cookies
The term “lava cookie” stems from the more well-known molten lava cake, which features a similar gooey center. These cakes gained global fame in the 1990s and became a restaurant staple. Lava cookies bring that same drama and decadence into the casual comfort of a handheld cookie. By replacing the chocolate ganache center with Nutella, we elevate the flavor profile with its unique blend of hazelnut and cocoa, making the cookie not only indulgent but also irresistibly nutty and creamy.
This adaptation merges two dessert icons cookies and molten cakes into a single unforgettable treat.
Why Nutella Makes a Difference
Nutella is not just a chocolate spread. It’s a carefully balanced mix of hazelnuts, cocoa, and milk that provides a rich, creamy consistency. When used as the center of a lava cookie, Nutella doesn’t just add sweetness it adds complexity. The hazelnut flavor shines through the layers of chocolate, offering a contrast that prevents the dessert from becoming one-note.
Another advantage is Nutella’s stability when baked. While many fillings can dry out or harden in the oven, Nutella remains soft and gooey, making it the perfect lava core. Freezing the Nutella before inserting it into the cookie dough ensures it doesn’t seep out during baking, giving you that dramatic, perfectly contained molten center.
Texture: The Holy Grail of Cookies
The perfect cookie is all about texture, and Nutella Chocolate Lava Cookies nail it. The outer layer is slightly crisp thanks to the butter and sugars, giving you that satisfying first bite. As your teeth sink further, the cookie becomes chewy and moist, thanks to the cocoa powder and brown sugar. And then bam! you hit the molten Nutella center, which turns every bite into a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
The chocolate chips scattered throughout add pockets of extra richness and create a delightful contrast with the smooth Nutella core. It’s a cookie that engages all your senses crisp, chewy, melty, and chocolatey.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These cookies are indulgent enough to stand alone, but they pair wonderfully with a few simple extras:
- Milk: The classic choice. A cold glass of milk balances the sweetness and richness of the cookie.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve the cookie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The cold creaminess of the ice cream against the warm, gooey center is heavenly.
- Espresso or Coffee: The bitterness of coffee complements the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavors.
- Fruit Garnish: A few fresh raspberries or strawberries on the side can cut through the richness and add a touch of acidity.
These cookies also make a beautiful addition to a dessert tray during holidays or dinner parties. Place them in decorative tins or wrap them in parchment paper for homemade gift boxes.
Tips for Success
To make sure your Nutella Chocolate Lava Cookies turn out perfectly every time, keep these pro tips in mind:
1. Freeze the Nutella
Drop spoonfuls of Nutella onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes before stuffing the cookies. This keeps the Nutella from melting too quickly in the oven and leaking out of the cookie shell.
2. Don’t Overbake
Lava cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center when you pull them from the oven. They will continue to set as they cool, and this ensures the middle remains gooey.
3. Chill the Dough
Chilling the cookie dough before baking can help prevent excessive spreading and makes it easier to wrap around the frozen Nutella centers.
4. Use Quality Cocoa Powder
Since chocolate is the dominant flavor, use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results. Dutch-processed cocoa will give a richer, darker flavor and color.
5. Experiment with Add-Ins
Try adding chopped hazelnuts, sea salt on top, or even a hint of espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor. The base recipe is flexible and can be customized to your liking.
Storage and Reheating
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven for maximum lava effect. However, they store beautifully:
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Fridge: Keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Bring them to room temperature or reheat for 10–15 seconds in the microwave before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls (with Nutella inside) for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the baking time.
Reheating the cookies gently in the microwave restores the gooey center, making them almost as good as freshly baked.
Health and Nutritional Notes
Let’s be real—these cookies are a treat, not a health food. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be enjoyed as part of a balanced lifestyle. Each cookie clocks in at around 270 calories, with a fair amount of sugar and fat, mostly from butter, chocolate, and Nutella.
If you’re looking to lighten things up a bit:
- Swap out half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
- Use a natural, lower-sugar chocolate spread.
- Reduce the sugar slightly or experiment with coconut sugar for a deeper caramel note.
That said, sometimes it’s best not to mess with perfection and enjoy the cookie in all its decadent glory.
Conclusion: Why These Cookies Deserve a Place in Your Recipe Box
Nutella Chocolate Lava Cookies are not just another dessert they’re an experience. From the anticipation of breaking open the cookie to reveal its molten core to the indulgent flavors and textures in every bite, these cookies hit all the right notes. They’re perfect for impressing guests, treating your family, or giving yourself the rich, chocolatey pick-me-up you deserve.
Easy to make and infinitely satisfying, this recipe combines pantry staples with a few simple techniques to create a bakery-quality result. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, you’ll find success and joy in baking these cookies. Keep a stash in the freezer, and you’ll never be more than 15 minutes away from chocolate paradise.
So go ahead bake a batch, share the love, and revel in the deliciousness. One bite and you’ll understand why these cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a full-on celebration of all things sweet, warm, and gooey.