Irresistible Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies: A Chocolaty Treat to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Have you ever stumbled upon a treat that transports you back to simpler times, like cozy evenings with your family, laughter echoing around the table, and the distinct aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the air? For me, that treat is the Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies. Growing up, Saturday afternoons were often spent in the kitchen with my mom, experimenting with flavors and textures. It was during one of those magical afternoons that I first tasted a Nutella-filled cookie, and I was instantly hooked!
Today, I want to share this recipe that is not just another dessert but a delightful hug in cookie form. The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread pairs so perfectly with the rich, nutty flavor of Nutella that it’s hard to resist reaching for a second (or even a third!). Unlike many cookie recipes that can be complicated or require countless whisking and folding, these cookies are refreshingly easy to make—all while impressing any guests or family who happen to come around.
Join me as we dive into a step-by-step guide to creating these beloved Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies that will fill your home with warmth and sweetness, turning any day into a special occasion.
What Are Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies?
Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies are delightful desserts that showcase the beautiful harmony of flavors between buttery shortbread and creamy chocolate hazelnut spread. The origins of shortbread can be traced back to Scotland, where this classic buttery cookie was crafted for special occasions. Over the years, bakers around the world have added their unique twist. That’s where Nutella comes into play!
Imbued with the nutty richness of hazelnuts and a smooth chocolate finish, these cookies have a delightful crunch when you first bite into them, softening as you savor the luscious filling. What makes these cookies unique is the combination of textures—the crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread sandwiched with a generous piped layer of Nutella makes each bite a total indulgence. They’re perfect for celebrations, holiday gatherings, or just when you need a little pick-me-up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Simplicity: You’ll be amazed at how straightforward this recipe is. It requires few steps and common pantry ingredients, making it perfect even for novice bakers.
Budget-Friendly: Say goodbye to pricey store-bought cookies! Making these at home is much more economical, meaning you can treat yourself and still save some cash.
Customization: Want to experiment? You can swap out the Nutella with other fillings like peanut butter or jam, or add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before serving for an unexpected flavor burst.
Time-Efficient: With a little advance planning, you can easily make and chill the dough ahead of time, fitting seamlessly into your busy life.
Family Favorite: My own family always begs for these cookies during gatherings. Many of my friends have tried making them after tasting my batch and confirmed they are now a staple in their own homes!
Why buy cookies when you can craft your own irresistible batch in less than two hours? Trust me, you’re going to want to whip these up again and again!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for these scrumptious Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies:
- ½ cup hazelnuts: I recommend using high-quality, roasted hazelnuts for a deeper flavor. Feel free to substitute with ground almonds if you have a nut allergy.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): Always spoon and level flour for accurate measurements.
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt: Enhances flavor; don’t skip this!
- 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature, equivalent to 2 standard sticks): Using room temperature butter helps in achieving that fluffy texture.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: This adds sweetness while balancing the richness of the butter.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor profile of the shortbread.
- 13 ounces Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread): The star of the show! Use the original for that iconic taste.
- Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting): For a finishing touch!
Note: For the best results, I highly recommend using brands like King Arthur Flour for your ingredients—they never disappoint!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. Set aside.
2. Toast and Pulse the Hazelnuts
In a skillet over medium heat, warm the hazelnuts until they become fragrant—this should take about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning! Once toasted, transfer them to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. This step amps up their nutty flavor tremendously!
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the pulsed hazelnuts, all-purpose flour, and Kosher salt. This ensures the hazelnuts are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Set aside.
4. Make the Dough
In a stand mixer or electric mixer, beat the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, around 3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the prepared dry ingredients and continue mixing on medium speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix—the dough should be moist and slightly sticky, just right for rolling!
5. Chill the Dough
Transfer the dough onto plastic wrap, using the wrap to shape it into a disk about ½-inch thick. Cover it tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to 3 days!). Chilling makes a significant difference in texture and cookie shape.
6. Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured working surface, roll the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. If it cracks, just press it back together—this dough is very forgiving! Use a 2½-inch fluted round cookie cutter to cut out cookies and carefully arrange them on the lined baking sheets, spacing them out to allow for slight expansion.
7. Chill Again
Cover the cut-out cookies with parchment paper and chill in the fridge for another 30 minutes. This will help them maintain their shape while baking.
8. Bake
While the cookies chill, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly golden brown. They may look a bit pale on the top—that’s perfectly fine. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Chef’s Tip: If you love a little crunch, bake for an additional 1-2 minutes!
9. Assemble the Cookies
Once cooled, pipe Nutella onto half of the cookies, generously filling them. Sandwich with the remaining cookies and, for a final touch, dust with confectioners’ sugar.
10. Enjoy!
Grab a glass of milk or coffee and dig in!
Expert Tips & Tricks
Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. In the fridge, they can last about two weeks.
Make-Ahead Instructions: The dough can be made ahead of time and kept wrapped in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to a month. Just be sure to wrap tightly in plastic!
Troubleshooting: If your dough is too crumbly while rolling, a splash of milk can help bring it together. Conversely, if it’s too sticky, a little extra flour will do the trick.
Flavor Enhancements: Consider adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for a warm spice kick!
Cookie Shapes: These cookies lend themselves well to various shapes—feel free to use holiday-themed cutters to add a festive twist!
Nut Alternatives: If you’re in a pinch and don’t have hazelnuts, walnuts or even a mixed nut option can work well, too!
Serving Suggestions
These Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies can be enjoyed at any time! They pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or coffee, making them an excellent addition to your afternoon routine. For a special touch, serve them on a pretty platter at a gathering to impress guests. You might even consider pairing them with fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate dessert to a whole new level.
Variations & Substitutions
If you want to mix things up, here are some fun variations to try:
- Peanut Butter Version: Swap Nutella for peanut butter and add a sprinkle of chocolate chips for an irresistible combination.
- Mint Chocolate: Incorporate a few drops of peppermint extract into the filling for a minty kick, perfect for the holidays!
- Seasonal Fun: Try filling with pumpkin spice spread in the fall or lemon curd for a fresh spring twist.
These variations show that you can have fun and get creative with Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies!
Nutrition & Storage Info
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 31 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: About 20 sandwich cookies
- Estimated Calories per Serving: 150 calories (1 sandwich cookie)
Storage Instructions:
- Room temperature: 1 week
- Refrigerator: 2 weeks
- Freezer: up to 1 month
FAQ Section
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but you may want to reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.What if I don’t have hazelnuts?
You can use any kind of nut or omit the nuts altogether. Ground almonds work wonderfully as well!How do I make this gluten-free?
Substitute all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free flour blend.Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes! You can freeze the cookies in an airtight container for about a month. Just thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.How long should I chill my dough?
A minimum of 1 hour will help, but you can chill them for up to 3 days for deeper flavor.Can I make these with my kids?
Absolutely! This is a fun and engaging recipe that kids will love to help with, especially the filling part!What if my dough is too sticky?
If your dough feels overly sticky, add a bit more flour until it reaches the right consistency.What can I use if I don’t have confectioners’ sugar?
You can make your own by blending granulated sugar until it’s powdery, or simply omit it!Can I add chocolate chips?
Yes! Fold in some mini chocolate chips into the dough for an added chocolatey hit.What’s the best way to store these cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their texture and flavor.
Conclusion
These Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies are not merely cookies; they are a canvas for creativity, wonderful for sharing, and packed with nostalgic flavors that’ll bring warmth to your heart and home. Whether you enjoy them with loved ones or indulge alone (I won’t tell!), I guarantee they will become a cherished part of your baking repertoire. I’d love to hear how yours turn out—leave a comment and let me know if you’ve made any fun variations! Don’t forget to check out my other cookie recipes on the blog for even more inspiration. Happy baking!
Print
Nutella Shortbread Sandwich Cookies
- Total Time: 91 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 sandwich cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious sandwich cookies featuring buttery shortbread and creamy Nutella filling.
Ingredients
- ½ cup hazelnuts, roasted
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 13 ounces Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Toast hazelnuts in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, then pulse in a food processor until finely ground.
- In a bowl, whisk together pulsed hazelnuts, flour, and salt.
- In a mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until combined.
- Chill the dough in plastic wrap for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out chilled dough to ¼-inch thick and cut out cookies using a fluted cutter.
- Chill cut cookies for 30 minutes.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are golden, then cool on a wire rack.
- Pipe Nutella onto half of the cookies and sandwich with remaining cookies. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature. Dough can be made ahead and chilled or frozen for later use.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
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