These Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Thumbprints are a decadent treat, combining the rich flavors of chocolate, hazelnuts, and creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread. They are the perfect balance of crispy, nutty, and creamy textures, with each cookie featuring a gooey chocolate filling in the center. These thumbprint cookies are sure to impress at your next gathering, holiday party, or as a special homemade gift for chocolate lovers!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Delicious Flavor Combination

The pairing of cocoa powder and chopped hazelnuts brings a rich, chocolatey flavor to these cookies, while the chocolate-hazelnut spread in the center creates a smooth, creamy filling.

2. Crisp, Yet Soft Texture

The outer shell of the cookie has a slight crispness thanks to the hazelnut coating, while the inside remains soft and tender, providing the perfect texture balance.

3. Perfect for Special Occasions

With their refined look and indulgent taste, these thumbprints are great for parties, holidays, or as a treat to share with loved ones.

4. Customizable Fillings

While this recipe uses chocolate-hazelnut spread, you can experiment with different fillings like jam, caramel, or other types of nut butters.

5. Fun to Make

Thumbprint cookies are fun and easy to make with kids or friends. The process of pressing the centers and filling them with chocolate-hazelnut spread is both enjoyable and rewarding.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Salt
Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Egg (separated)
Milk
Vanilla extract
Hazelnuts (finely chopped)
Chocolate-hazelnut spread

How to Make Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Thumbprints

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set the mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract, making sure everything is well combined.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture into the creamed mixture, stirring until well combined to form the dough.

Step 5: Prepare the Egg White

In a small bowl, whisk the egg white until it becomes foamy. This will be used to help coat the cookies in chopped hazelnuts.

Step 6: Shape the Dough

Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, dip each ball into the foamy egg white, and roll them in the finely chopped hazelnuts, ensuring they are fully coated.

Step 7: Create the Thumbprint

Place the hazelnut-covered dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Use your thumb to gently press down in the center of each cookie, creating a small indentation.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until set. Once done, remove them from the oven and, while they’re still soft, use the end of a wooden spoon to press the centers again if needed to ensure they stay indented.

Step 9: Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Fill with Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread

Once the cookies are completely cool, fill the thumbprint indentations with chocolate-hazelnut spread. You can use a spoon or a piping bag for a cleaner application.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Use Fresh Hazelnuts: Freshly chopped hazelnuts will give the cookies the best flavor. If you need to toast them lightly before chopping, do so for a few minutes in the oven at 350°F (175°C).
Be Gentle with Pressing: When making the thumbprint, press gently but firmly to create a deep enough indentation for the filling without flattening the cookie too much.
Use Room Temperature Butter: For smoother dough, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing.
Chill the Dough: If the dough becomes too soft to handle, chill it in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes before shaping into balls.
Custom Fillings: You can substitute the chocolate-hazelnut spread with raspberry jam, caramel sauce, or peanut butter for a different flavor.

How to Serve

These cookies are perfect on their own as a sweet snack with a hot cup of coffee or tea. They also make a lovely addition to a holiday cookie platter or dessert table. To elevate the experience, serve them alongside a glass of milk or a dessert wine.

Storing Leftovers

Room Temperature: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This will keep them fresh and soft.
Freezing: If you have leftover cookies, you can freeze them. Place them in a single layer in a resealable freezer bag and store for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature.
Storing Dough: If you prefer to make the dough ahead of time, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months and bake fresh cookies when you’re ready.

FAQs

1. Can I use different nuts instead of hazelnuts?

Yes, you can use other nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans, but hazelnuts pair especially well with chocolate.

2. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but the texture may differ slightly.

3. Can I use a different filling instead of chocolate-hazelnut spread?

Yes! Feel free to experiment with other fillings such as raspberry jam, peanut butter, or caramel.

4. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate or freeze the dough. Just let it thaw at room temperature before shaping and baking.

5. Can I make these cookies without egg whites?

If you’re avoiding egg whites, you can skip that step and simply roll the dough balls in chopped hazelnuts before baking. The nuts may not adhere as firmly, but the cookies will still be delicious.

Conclusion

Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Thumbprints are the ultimate combination of crispy, nutty, and creamy. The rich chocolatey flavor, complemented by the sweet hazelnut crunch and smooth chocolate-hazelnut spread, makes them a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or just indulging in something sweet, these thumbprint cookies are sure to delight your taste buds and impress everyone who tries them!