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Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cups

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By Pillsbury Kitchens
Updated Oct 21, 2024
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There's something undeniably irresistible about the combination of rich, creamy chocolate and toasty hazelnuts. When these two flavors come together in a luscious Nutella® ganache, magic happens. Now, imagine that delectable ganache nestled in a sugar cookie cup. The result? Pure bliss in the form of your new favorite Nutella cookies.

The story of Nutella begins in the 1940s, during World War II and cocoa was scarce. An Italian pastry chef, trying to come up with a new recipe that used hazelnuts to stretch the limited cocoa supply, created a sweet chocolate hazelnut paste that could be spread on bread. A delicious and affordable treat for families during challenging times was born.

One bite into these chocolate hazelnut ganache-filled cookies, and you will know right away why Nutella caught on so quickly. The crisp, buttery cookies give way to a creamy, indulgent center that's bursting with the flavors of chocolate and hazelnut. The contrast of textures and flavors is a true delight for the senses.

These cookies are a decadent treat for any occasion, whether you're looking to impress guests at a dinner party or simply satisfy your own sweet cravings with a steaming cup of coffee. These Nutella cookies are sure to leave a lasting impression. 

How To Make Nutella Cookies

While these Nutella cookies look impressive, they’re actually easy to make with the help of refrigerated Pillsbury™ Ready to Bake!™ Sugar Cookie Dough. Take a look at our quick overview, then read on for the full ingredients list and complete recipe.

Make the Cookie Cups

Cookie dough is pressed into mini muffin tins, baked, and indentations are made into the baked cookies with the back of a rounded measuring spoon.

Create the Filling

Dark chocolate chips are microwaved with Nutella and heavy cream until melted and smooth.

Fill the Cookies

The cookie filling is spooned into each cookie cup. Cookies are topped with a sprinkling of chopped hazelnuts and allowed to cool so the filling can set before serving.

Flavor of Nutella Cookies

If there's one flavor that can instantly elevate a cookie from delicious to downright irresistible, it's Nutella. The rich, creamy, and unmistakably nutty taste adds a decadent twist to any cookie, turning them into indulgent treats that are hard to resist.

The magic of this Nutella cookie recipe lies in the perfect balance of flavors and textures. As you take your first bite, you're greeted by the familiar notes of hazelnut, followed by the luscious creaminess of the dark, rich chocolate. It’s the addition of the hazelnut flavor that sets these cookies apart from other chocolate ganache-filled cookies, giving them a nutty toastiness that seems to make the cookies taste even more chocolaty. 

Variations

It’s easy to change the look of these Nutella cookie cups. For extra sparkle, roll each cookie dough ball around in coarse sparkling white sugar, granulated sugar or colored sugar before placing in muffin cup.  

Not a fan of the chopped hazelnut garnish on top of the cookies? Try topping the cookie cups with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt or nonpareils. For a chocolatey spin, sprinkle with mini chocolate chips or make it extra special by topping with a single small raspberry or finely chopped strawberries right before serving.

How to Store Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache Filled Cookie Cups

After completely cooling, place the cookies in a covered, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you are topping with raspberries or strawberries, wait until just before serving to add the fruit. We don’t recommend storing at room temperature because of the cream in the filling.

You can also freeze the cookies by putting them in a freezer-safe container. Be sure to label with the contents and date them. Just make sure to enjoy within 2 months.

When storing, keep in mind that these cookies look best when they haven’t been banged around. For this reason, we don’t recommend storing them in either the refrigerator or the freezer in zip-lock-type bags. Instead, we recommend using flat-bottomed, airtight containers, where the cookies can sit securely. If you must layer the cookies, make sure to place a piece of waxed or parchment paper in between the layers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ganache?

If there's one word that instantly makes you think of indulgence and sophistication when it comes to all things sweet, it's "ganache." It’s luxurious and versatile and has long been a staple in the world of baking and dessert-making, adding a touch of elegance and decadence to a wide array of treats. But what exactly is ganache?

At its core, ganache is a simple, but delicious mixture of two ingredients: chocolate and cream. The combination of the two results in a velvety, smooth, rich, creamy, and intensely flavorful mixture. Ganache can be combined with other ingredients and used as a filling, as we do in this chocolate hazelnut ganache-filled cookie cup, or it can be used as a glaze or even a frosting. 

What’s the Difference Between a Thumbprint Cookie and a Cookie Cup?

Thumbprint cookies are a classic favorite consisting of the perfect balance of buttery, crumbly cookie and delectable filling. The hallmark of thumbprint cookies is their distinct appearance, achieved by gently pressing a thumb or a utensil into the center of each cookie to create a small well. This well serves as a vessel for a variety of fillings, ranging from fruity jams and zesty citrus curds to creamy chocolate ganache and Nutella.

On the other hand, cookie cups offer a unique twist on traditional cookies, transforming the familiar sweet treat into a vessel for all kinds of possible fillings. Unlike thumbprint cookies, cookie cups are crafted using a muffin tin or a special cookie cup mold, allowing the cookie dough to take on a cup-like shape as it bakes. Once baked, the center of each cookie cup forms a well, ready to be filled with a range of delightful toppings and fillings, like we do in these chocolate hazelnut ganache-filled cookie cups.

Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cups

  • Prep Time 25 min
  • Total 3 hr 30 min
  • Ingredients 5
  • Servings 24
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Heat oven to 350°F. Generously spray 24 nonstick miniature muffin cups with cooking spray. Place 1 cookie dough round in each muffin cup.
  • Step 
    2
    Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown. With back of round metal measuring teaspoon, make a 1 1/4-inch wide indentation in each cookie cup. Cool in pan about 30 minutes.
  • Step 
    3
    Carefully run knife or metal spatula around edges of cookie cups to loosen. Remove to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
  • Step 
    4
    In medium microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, hazelnut spread, and whipping cream uncovered on High 30 seconds. Stir; continue to microwave in 10-second increments until smooth.
  • Step 
    5
    Spoon a generous teaspoonful of chocolate mixture into indentation in each cookie cup.
  • Step 
    6
    Top filled cookie cups with hazelnuts. Let stand about 2 hours or until filling is set. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition

130 Calories
7g Total Fat
1g Protein
16g Total Carbohydrate
10g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Cookie Cup
Calories
130
Calories from Fat
60
Total Fat
7g
10%
Saturated Fat
2 1/2g
13%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
5mg
2%
Sodium
50mg
2%
Potassium
40mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate
16g
5%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
10g
Protein
1g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
6%
6%
Exchanges:
1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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