I’m always up for a new cookie recipe and if there’s chocolate involved – even better! The Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie recipe I’m sharing today has all the hallmarks of an incredible chocolate cookie: toasted hazelnuts, decadent chocolate chips and an ooey-gooey Nutella topping.

I’ve seen a lot of recipes over the years for Nutella-stuffed chocolate chip cookies. And while those look delicious, they can also be a bit complicated and time-consuming to make. So I set out to create hazelnut chocolate chip cookies with Nutella that would provide all the same flavors with an easier process and the current French approach for decorating cookies.

These easy cookies just might become a new favorite in your kitchen! They’re a great option for a chocolate holiday cookie or any time of the year.

Ingredients in the Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Recipe

• Unsalted Butter: Make sure to get unsalted butter because we’ll be adding salt separately later.
• Brown Sugar (light or dark): Use whichever type of brown sugar you have in your pantry. If you need to buy brown sugar, opt for dark if you want a deeper, more complex flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: This pantry staple gives these cookies extra sweetness.
• Eggs: Make sure your eggs are at room temperature before making the cookie dough for the best results.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla helps to enhance the chocolate flavors in this Nutella cookie recipe. I love to make my own homemade vanilla extract!
• All-Purpose Flour: You probably already have this in your pantry. If you’re looking for all-purpose flour in France, be sure to read my guide to French vs American flour.
• Cocoa Powder: You can’t make chocolate cookies without cocoa powder. Use any cocoa powder you love, just make sure it’s not already sweetened.
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These ingredients work together to give the cookies their perfectly chewy texture with a slightly crackly outside.
• Salt: Adding a bit of salt helps bring out the flavor of these hazelnut chocolate chip cookies. 
• Chocolate Chips: Use your favorite type of chocolate chips, such as bittersweet, milk or dark.
• Hazelnuts: Chopped, roasted hazelnuts provide a much-needed crunch to these chocolatey cookies. 
• Nutella or other hazelnut spread: We can’t have a chocolate hazelnut cookie recipe without Nutella, can we? I use the Nutella as a topping once these have baked and the result is warm, gooey deliciousness!

How to Make Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies with Nutella

Making these chocolate chip hazelnut cookies is just as simple as making a traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe. With just a little prep work, high-quality ingredients and a KitchenAid mixer or similar tool, you can wow your friends and family (or just yourself!) with these decadent cookies.

Step One: Prepare the hazelnuts.

Toast the hazelnuts in the oven at 350F/175C for about 10 minutes. If needed, remove the skins of the hazelnuts by rubbing them with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Then set them aside to cool.

Step Two: Mix the wet ingredients.

Beat together the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add the eggs and the vanilla extract and continue blending.

Step Three: Mix the dry ingredients.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and powder, and salt and then slowly add to the wet ingredients, mixing on low.

Step Four: Add hazelnuts and chocolate chips.

Chop the toasted hazelnuts and add the nuts and chocolate chips to the dough. Keep some aside to top the cookies later.

Step Five: Bake and top with Nutella.

Use a ¼ cup sized scoop to add the cookie dough to a baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved hazelnuts and chocolate chips and then bake. Once the cookies have baked and cooled, use a piping bag to add large dots of Nutella to the tops of all the cookies.

Do I need to roast and peel the skin of the hazelnut?

Yes, this is an important step! Roasting the hazelnuts helps bring out their flavor and gives them the perfect crunchy texture. And removing the peels ensures you don’t get any of the flaky, papery pieces in your chocolate hazelnut cookie recipe.

Ideas & Alternatives for a Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Recipe

These cookies are so delicious exactly as they are, but it can certainly be fun to make them your own! These are some of my favorite ideas for bringing chocolate Nutella cookies to the next level.

• Try white chocolate chips: Trade out traditional chocolate chips for white chocolate chips in this recipe. This simple swap adds extra sweetness and a unique flavor profile. Even better? Use both kinds of chocolate chips!
• Add espresso powder: Espresso powder helps enhance chocolate flavors and pairs wonderfully with hazelnuts. Adding in some espresso powder would make these taste like a delicious chocolate hazelnut latte!
• Sprinkle some sea salt: For an extra savory bite, top the cookies with some flaky sea salt before baking or after adding the Nutella.

Storing Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies with Nutella

Store these cookies in an airtight container for 3-5 days for the best freshness. I recommend layering them between sheets of parchment paper to keep the Nutella from sticking together. You can also wait to top the cookies with the dots of Nutella until you’re ready to serve so they don’t get too messy while storing.

Make Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies with Nutella

Ready to make these in your kitchen? Use the recipe below and be sure to tag me on Instagram whenever you post about your baking creations.

Want other Nutella-inspired recipes? Try my Salted Nutella Fudge!