With sea salt. I figured the title was already long enough, but I didn’t want to leave those few extra words out completely because the salt? It really makes these cookies. There’s a lot of sweetness going on with the sugar, chocolate chips, and Nutella filling and the salt really helps to balance it all out. Don’t skimp π
I pride myself on having self-control around cookies. I never worry about leaving a plate of them sitting on the counter, I can usually walk right by without a second glance. These cookies, however, were my kryptonite. The nutty brown butter, the chocolate chips, the Nutella surprise hiding in the center of each one – it just made for the most delicious and irresistible combination of flavors ever! The texture was perfect too, slightly crisp on the edges with soft centers. I’d intended to bake just a few to photograph for this post and freeze the rest of the dough balls, but I devoured them so quickly I had to go back and bake a second batch.
Let’s talk about the Nutella filling for a second. You’re basically going to dollop it onto a baking sheet and then freeze it. Be sure to plan ahead, the Nutella needs a few hours in the freezer to firm up. It will make your life *much* easier though, trust me – trying to stuff gooey Nutella into the cookie balls is a messy (and somewhat frustrating) endeavor.
These cookies have popped up on quite a few blogs in recent months so maybe this isn’t the first time you’re seeing them. If you’ve been thinking about it but haven’t actually made them yet, don’t wait another minute. They’re popular for a reason π
Nutella-Stuffed Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
adapted from Ambitious Kitchen via Annie’s Eats
{Note: I used significantly fewer chocolate chips than called for originally (1 3/4 cups). I don’t like a lot of chocolate in my cookies, but feel free to increase the quantity if you do.}
1/2 cup Nutella
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon sour cream
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dollop teaspoon-sized mounds of Nutella onto the baking sheet (about 2 dozen total) and pop in the freezer until firm, at least a few hours.
Add the butter to a medium skillet set over medium heat and let it start melting. Continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter becomes golden brown and smells nutty (be patient and watch carefully, it can go from brown to burnt quickly). Pour the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Allow to cool.
Whisk the flour, baking soda, and sea salt together in a medium bowl. Add both sugars to the bowl of the mixer along with the cooled brown butter. Beat on medium speed until blended (mine never really came together, but I continued on anyway). Add the egg and egg yolk, mixing until incorporated and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Mix in the vanilla and sour cream. With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients in two additions, beating just until incorporated. Add the chocolate chips and mix until evenly distributed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using a small cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), portion the dough into balls. Working with one ball at a time, use your thumb to create a well in the center of the ball. Add a dollop of the Nutella to the well then seal the cookie dough around it so it’s completely enclosed. Repeat with all of the dough and Nutella, placing the balls of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. (Note: the Nutella may soften as it sits at room temperature. If necessary, you can throw it back in the freezer to firm up.)
Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and set (the centers may look underdone). Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and immediately sprinkle the cookies with additional sea salt. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet then remove to the wire racks.
These cookies really are best warm from the oven or the same day made. To enjoy them on subsequent days, microwave for 15-20 seconds first. (Or, alternatively, freeze the balls of dough after prepping them and bake as needed.)
Makes about 2 dozen
I happen to have zero self control around cookies. This might explain my ever expanding stash of stretchy pants. I guess I’ll have to a put a pair on and whip these up π
Where have these been all of my life? Amazing.
This look awesome
I love that we both posted brown butter cookies today!! I’ve had my eye on these for while, they look wonderful!
See, I cannot walk by cookies without snagging one. Which means I won’t leave the house until these are all gone if they were your kryptonite.
This looks like a great place to bust open my first ever container of Nutella. Yes, my FIRST. I think I’ve waited so long because I’m afraid I’ll have a total lack of self control with the stuff. I’ll soon find out!
Love, love, love! These look fabulous!
These look absolutely delicious!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.blogspot.com
They’re amazing aren’t they?! I made mine with a hazelnut hidden in the middle of the Nutella, a la Ferrero Rochers. They were so good, especially warm straight out of the oven! π http://www.cupofteasolveseverything.com/2012/12/nutella-and-hazelnut-stuffed-brown.html
I really really want to make these but I have absolutely zero self control around cookies, especially ones involving chocolate AND nutella!
These were awesome! Loved the browned butter flavor. And the salt on top…loved it! I was wondering how the Nutella got into chunks. Thanks again, Tracey.
I am always amazed by your photography! It’s just beautiful π
The cookies look absolutely amazing as well!
Haha…I love that you continued the title in the content. π And I would have absolutely no self control with these babies! They look AH-mazing!!!!!!
The large sprinkles of sea salt on top are perfectly lovely and inviting!
Sea salt and chocolate taste really good together. I never thought about the idea of putting it on chocolate chip cookies but as soon as I saw the picture I knew it was going to taste awesome!
i’ve been seeing this all over the place and for good reason!! anything stuffed with nutella and has got brown butter in the batter – it’s right up my alley! i love how fluffy yours looks!
That looks awesome good! I love the photo showing the nutella inside…drool!
I was thinking if a person would flash freeze the Nutella and put them in a ziplock bag it would be easy to reach in and get a few out at a time. I would do it a day ahead and no wait to mix the cookies. I have never bought Nutella. Guess I am behind.
I saw these and drooled over them on Ambitious Kitchen and then over at Annie’s…and now here. So I’m totally shaming myself for/regretting not making them yet. They look too amazing. Really.
Mmm, browned butter and salt. Both great additions to cookie recipes. Since G is a huge fan of chocolate-hazelnut spread (we buy a different brand), I think I need to make these for her. =)
Tracey!! Guess what? I made these cookies over the weekend! I didn’t use brown butter though (obsessed!). I am in love with your version though. How can you go wrong? I freaking LOVE Nutella!
Oh, I definitely don’t need another cookie to haunt my days, but seeing a picture of these I guess I’m doomed. I’ll have to make these when guests are over so I don’t eat them all myself.
These are the most amazing cookies ever! So can you send over a dozen? I’ll pay for shipping π
I’m glad you had success. I can’t stop eating them either.
Brown butter and Nutella together – oh these cookies would be the death of me!
Oh my goodness these sound so delicious! Your pictures are literally making my mouth water!
I’m not so good at passing up cookies sitting on the counter. And I’m sure these would not last long. They sound amazing!
mmmm. I bet the nutella gets all gooey when these are baked. These sound heavenly! π
These look delicious & I love the salt on them!!!