These Nutella sandwich cookies are a heavenly treat for chocolate lovers.
Each cookie is made up of two intensely chocolatey shortbread cookies, filled with a generous layer of Nutella hazelnut chocolate spread.
The result is a cookie that melts-in-the-mouth, yielding to blend with the thick and creamy Nutella for a divine taste and texture experience in every bite.
Making the dough is really simple. You'll combine flour, sugar and cocoa, then rub in cold butter to produce a chocolatey crumb. Cut in vanilla extract and a dash of cold water and you have yourself a lovely, smooth chocolate shortbread dough, ready to roll out and cut into rounds.
Once your cookies are baked, it's simply a case of spreading with Nutella and bringing together to produce gorgeous Nutella sandwich cookies.
Here's how to make a delicious dozen.
Ingredients
- 270 g (9.5 oz) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
- 75 g (2.6 oz) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 200 g (7.1 oz) salted butter chilled and cubed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 40 g (1.4 oz) cocoa powder (dutch processed)
- 15 g (0.5 oz) chocolate drops or chunks
- icing sugar (powdered sugar) to dust
- 300 g (10.6 oz) Nutella
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan, 350F).
Put the flour, sugar and cocoa in a large bowl.
Whisk together to combine well.
Add the cubed butter.
Rub the butter and flour together until you get an even crumb with no big lumps of butter.
Add the vanilla extract and a tbsp of cold water.
Cut it through the mix with a round knife.
Eventually, you should be able to work the mix into a soft dough. You can add a drop more water if necessary. If it’s a bit too squidgy to work with, wrap and chill it for 10 minutes
Place the dough between two sheets of baking paper that have been lightly dusted with icing sugar (this help avoid sticking) and roll out to about 0.5cm thick (1/5 inch).
Cut out your biscuits using a round 9cm (3.5 inch) cutter.
Cut a hole in the centre of the half of the rounds with your 4cm (1.5 inch) cutter.
Gather up the offcuts and re-roll as necessary until you have used up all the dough and have 24 rounds, half with holes in the centre.
Place the rounds on baking tray lined with baking paper and gently press a few chocolate drops onto the cookies with holes.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until just firm when pressed.
When cool enough to handle, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Spoon 1 tbsp of Nutella onto each bottom layer cookie (the ones without holes).
Use a round knife or palette knife to spread the Nutella to the edges.
Place a cookie with a hole in it on top off each Nutella topped cookie to form your sandwich cookies.
Repeat until all the cookies are completed.
Enjoy!
Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Nutella sandwich cookies
Are Nutella sandwich cookies easy to make?
Yes, this is a simple shortbread recipe with added chocolatey indulgence. You then take your cookies a step further with a Nutella sandwich filling peeping through cut-out windows.
It's a very striking bake that is super easy to make and looks amazing. Perfect for any special occasion or a lovely weekend treat.
Will I need any special equipment to make these Nutella sandwich cookies?
One of the main things you'll need for these Nutella sandwich cookies is two different size cookie cutters so that you can create the shortbread base and top with the window to see the Nutella through.
To make the chocolate shortbread, you'll need weighing scales, measuring spoons, and a mixing bowl. I used a whisk to bring the flour and sugar together but you can just use a mixing spoon if you like.
You'll also need a rolling pin to roll out the dough, and baking sheets to cook the cookies on. It would be helpful if you have a few so you can do them in batches more easily. And finally a wire rack for cooling.
To complete the cookies, you'll just need a spoon or rounded knife to spread the Nutella. Easy peasy.
Where can I buy Nutella?
Nutella is available in most supermarkets. It's usually with the jams, preserves and other sweet spreads. You don't have to use brand name Nutella - any chocolate hazelnut spread will do.
How can I tell if cocoa powder has gone off?
Cocoa powder usually has a pretty long shelf life, and as long as it's kept in a sealed container in a cool, dark place it should keep well even after it’s been opened.
Over time, the flavour will deteriorate, similar to how spices lose their flavour over time, but this takes several years.
Check the "Best Before" date as a guide as to whether your cocoa powder is still likely to taste good. Remember, unlike a "Use By" date, which should never be exceeded, a "Best Before" date is just a guide, so it's fine to still use older cocoa if there are no signs of spoilage.
Make sure your cocoa is still completely dry and a fine powder. Any change in consistency is a sign it may have absorbed moisture at some point, which may suggest it has spoilt.
Are Nutella sandwich cookies suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, these yummy Nutella sandwich cookies are totally suitable for vegetarians as they contain no meat, poultry or fish.
Are Nutella sandwich cookies suitable for vegans?
No, this recipe isn't suitable for vegans as the shortbread is made with dairy butter and dairy chocolate chips. In addition, Nutella contains milk.
How can I make these cookies dairy free and vegan?
I haven't tested making this recipe dairy-free / vegan yet, but you should be able to recreate a vegan version with a few easy swaps.
For the butter, simply use a plant-based butter alternative or good quality vegan margarine. You'll need one with a high-fat content for best results - some spreads have quite a high water content and this adversely affects some bakes.
Make sure to use vegan chocolate chunks for the topping, and vegan chocolate spread as an alternative to the Nutella sandwich filling.
You should check the label on all the ingredients you use to ensure they contain no traces of dairy.
Are Nutella sandwich cookies gluten-free?
In this recipe I've used plain flour for the shortbread, so it is not suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten in their diet.
If you wanted to make these gluten-free, you could try using a good quality gluten-free flour designed for baking.
Nutella appears to be gluten free at the time of writing, but you should check the label on all the ingredients you use to ensure they contain no traces of gluten.
I haven't tried making a gluten free version of this recipe yet, so let me know how you get on in the comments below!
Are Nutella sandwich cookies safe to eat while pregnant?
These chocolatey cookies shouldn't pose a risk to a pregnant woman as long as all the ingredients are in good condition and the Nutella sandwiches are baked and built following good food hygiene methods.
A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. If you have any questions or worries please speak to a qualified health professional.
What goes well with Nutella sandwich cookies?
These Nutella sandwich cookies are absolutely divine on their own, and go down well with a good cuppa! If you're a chocoholic, you could also serve them with hot chocolates for an extremely indulgent treat.
I haven’t got icing sugar for dusting can I use plain flour?
Usually, when rolling out dough you would use flour to stop things from sticking to the rolling pin or surface you're rolling out on.
This shortbread is made with cocoa powder so is a lovely chocolate brown colour, and flour would leave dusty marks across the biscuits.
That is why I've used icing sugar and layers of baking paper to help roll out this dough. The icing sugar is very fine and is quickly absorbed into the dough once it's rolled out.
It is best to use icing sugar if you can, but if you only have flour then use it as sparingly as possible and dust off as much as you can before baking the cookies.
How should I store Nutella sandwich cookies?
These Nutella sandwich cookies need to be stored in a sealed container.
The Nutella filling should sit below the level of the window, meaning they're ok to stack. The chocolate chips sitting on top of the cookies also help keep the cookies separate.
However, if you're been generous with the filling, you may need to keep them on a single layer, or at least stack them carefully so they don't all stick together.
How long do Nutella sandwich cookies keep?
When kept in a sealed container somewhere cool and dark, these cookies will keep well for about a week.
Can I leave Nutella sandwich cookies out on the counter?
No, these cookies need to be kept in a sealed container to keep them fresh. They can be left out on the counter for serving for an hour or so but don't leave them out too long or they'll go soft and stale.
Can I freeze Nutella sandwich cookies?
Yes, this recipe freezes well. Try to freeze your Nutella sandwich cookies on the day of baking so they are kept at their best.
Freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet for 2-4 hours, once frozen you can transfer them into a freezer bag or container to protect them.
These cookies will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
What is the best way to defrost Nutella sandwich cookies?
You can simply get out the cookies you want to defrost and pop them on a plate in the fridge to thaw out for a few hours or overnight.
It's important to defrost these cookies in the fridge to keep them at a low temperature, which reduces the risk of bacteria multiplying. Once defrosted, consume within 48 hours and don't refreeze.
Can I make Nutella sandwich cookies ahead?
Yes. these cookies keep well so you can make them the day before no problem, just pop them into a sealed container until you're ready to serve.
If you want to get ahead ,the dough can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept in the fridge until you're ready to bake.
The dough also freezes pretty well. Make sure to wrap it tightly before putting it in the freezer, and will keep for up to 2 months.
The night before you want to bake the cookies, just get the dough out of the freezer to defrost in the fridge overnight.
Can I make these Nutella sandwich cookies in a different quantity?
Yes, if you want to make more or fewer of these cookies that's no problem at all.
If you head down to the recipe card below you'll see the recipe is set to make twelve 9cm (3.5inch) cookies.
All you need to do is click on the number of servings and a little slider will appear that you can move up or down to get the number of cookies you want to make. All the ingredients will update automatically for you.
Can I make smaller versions of these Nutella sandwich cookies?
I've used quite big cookie cutters for mine, making 12 generously sized Nutella sandwich cookies.
If you want to make smaller, cute little cookies then go right ahead. Just use two smaller cookie cutters. I would recommend having a minimum of 1cm (2/5 inch) around the edge of the window you're making in the top cookie. For example, if you're making 6.5cm (2 1/2 inch) cookies use a 3cm (1 1/4 inch) cutter or smaller to make the holes in the middle.
When making smaller cookies, you'll need to use less Nutella per cookie. If you overfill your cookies, you may find they slide around. Start with half a teaspoon, spread and see how you get on.
Can I make this recipe in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?
It's important not to overwork the shortbread mix so it's best to do this by hand, if you can, or you could use a food processor (see below).
Can I make Nutella sandwich cookies with a food processor?
Yes, if you wanted to make things a bit easier, you can use a food processor to make the shortbread dough.
Put the flour, sugar, and cocoa powder into the food processor and pulse to combine.
Add the cubed butter and pulse until the mix is the consistency of breadcrumbs.
Next, add the vanilla extra and 1 tbsp of cold water ad pulse a few times until the dough starts to stick together.
You can then tip the dough out and knead briefly to bring it together into a ball. Add a drop more water if it's excessively crumbly.
How can I make sure my Nutella sandwich cookies are perfectly cooked?
It can be a little trickier to tell when chocolate bakes are properly cooked because you don't get that tell tale golden colour of plain dough bakes.
After 12-15 minutes, you can test to see if these cookies are baked. These cookies should look slightly paler and have dry, glossy tops. They should crisp but very delicate when gently pressed as they firm up more when cooled.
Have a look at these photos of mine raw vs fresh out of the oven to give you a good idea of what to look for.
Why did my cookies turn out burnt?
If your cookies have turned out burnt, it is probably because they were in the oven too long, sat too close to the top, or the oven was too hot.
I always recommend setting a timer for bakes so that you don't leave them in too long. It's amazing how quickly 12 minutes can go when you're whizzing around the kitchen tidying up or getting on with the next job.
Always aim to put bakes on the middle shelf of your oven. Even though fan ovens are supposed to circulate heat evenly, you may still find the tops of your cookies and cakes burn if placed too close to the top element.
If you're sure you got the timings right and used the middle shelf, your oven may be running too hot. Next time, try setting the oven 10-20 degrees lower than the recipe recommends. You may also wish to invest in an oven thermometer so you see how your oven is behaving.
Why did my cookies turn out wet and undercooked?
Whatever you're baking, the oven really needs to be preheated. Some ovens can take up to 15 minutes to reach the temperature you need, so if you don't preheat the oven the cookies won't be baked at the right temperature.
All is not lost, if your cookies are still soft you can return them to the oven for a few minutes until they are done.
If you're sure you preheated and left your cookies in for the right amount of time, your oven may be running too cold. Next time, try setting the oven 10-20 degrees higher than the recipe recommends. You may also wish to invest in an oven thermometer so you see how your oven is behaving.
How can I add/change the flavours in this dish?
There are so many different chocolate spreads available now, you could try using salted caramel spread instead of Nutella, and use white chocolate chips for the toppings. Have a play around to create different combinations.
What is the origin of this Nutella sandwich cookies recipe?
Shortbread is a traditional Scottish biscuit that I've adapted and added chocolate to create the base. The Nutella sandwich filling is an Italian chocolatier's creation, delightfully peeking through the window in the cookies.
Print these Nutella sandwich cookie recipe
Nutella Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 270 g (9.5 oz) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
- 75 g (2.6 oz) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 200 g (7.1 oz) salted butter chilled and cubed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 40 g (1.4 oz) cocoa powder (dutch processed)
- 15 g (0.5 oz) chocolate drops or chunks
- icing sugar (powdered sugar) to dust
- 300 g (10.6 oz) Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan, 350F).
- Put the flour, sugar and cocoa in a large bowl. Whisk together to combine well.
- Rub the cubed butter and flour together until you get an even crumb with no big lumps of butter.
- Add the vanilla extract and a tbsp of cold water. Cut it through the mix with a round knife.
- Eventually, you should be able to work the mix into a soft dough. You can add a drop more water if necessary. If it’s a bit too squidgy to work with, wrap and chill it for 10 minutes
- Place the dough between two sheets of baking paper that have been lightly dusted with icing sugar (this help avoid sticking) and roll out to about 0.5cm thick (1/5 inch).
- Cut out your biscuits using a round 9cm (3.5 inch) cutter.
- Cut a hole in the centre of half of the rounds with your 4cm (1.5 inch) cutter.
- Gather up the offcuts and re-roll as necessary until you have used up all the dough and have 24 rounds, half with holes in the centre.
- Place the rounds on baking tray lined with baking paper and gently press a few chocolate drops onto the cookies with holes.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until just firm when pressed.
- When cool enough to handle, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Spoon 1 tbsp of Nutella onto each bottom layer cookie (the ones without holes). Use a round knife or palette knife to spread the Nutella to the edges.
- Place a cookie with a hole in it on top off each Nutella topped cookie to form your sandwich cookies.
- Repeat until all the cookies are completed.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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