Nutella Thumbprint Christmas Cookies: An Easy Festive Treat

Imagine the perfect holiday cookie. It’s tender, buttery, and melts in your mouth. Now, picture a little well in the center, just waiting to be filled with something magical. That’s exactly what you get with these Nutella Thumbprint Christmas Cookies. They’re a fun twist on the classic jam thumbprint cookie, but instead, we’re using rich, chocolate-hazelnut spread. It’s a simple concept that delivers huge, crowd-pleasing flavor. They look festive on a platter and are so much easier to make than intricately decorated sugar cookies. A real winner for any holiday gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’re going to adore these cookies for so many reasons. First, they’re incredibly simple Christmas desserts. The dough comes together in one bowl with ingredients you probably already have. No fancy equipment or complicated techniques. Second, they’re the perfect holiday treat for busy bakers. You can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes from start to finish. And let’s be honest, everything tastes better with a dollop of Nutella, right? The combination of the shortbread-like cookie and the creamy, chocolatey center is just divine. So good. They’re a fantastic addition to your lineup of Christmas party desserts because they’re easy to eat, not too messy, and loved by both kids and adults.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – For that rich, tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
2/3 cup granulated sugar – Sweetens the cookie dough perfectly.
1 large egg yolk – Binds the dough together and adds richness.
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – Provides that warm, classic cookie flavor.
2 cups all-purpose flour – The base of our simple, sturdy cookie.
1/4 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Approx. 1/2 cup Nutella – For that glorious, delicious chocolate-hazelnut filling.
Optional: Coarse sugar or sprinkles – For a little extra sparkle and crunch on the edges.

Step by Step Method

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed. You want it to be light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This step adds air to the dough, making the cookies tender.
Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until everything is just combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure it’s all incorporated.
Now, gently add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough just comes together. Don’t overmix! It should be soft and pliable.
Roll the dough into small, 1-inch balls. This is a great job for little helpers in the kitchen. If you’re using coarse sugar or sprinkles, roll each ball in the topping now to coat the outside.
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Now, use your thumb or the back of a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon to make a deep indentation in the center of each ball.
Bake for 10 minutes. The cookies will still be very soft. Pull the trays out of the oven. The indentations will have puffed up a bit. Use that same measuring spoon to gently press the centers down again. This is the key to a perfect well for our filling!
Return the trays to the oven and bake for another 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn a very light golden brown.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they are fully cool, fill each thumbprint with a generous spoonful of Nutella.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need much to make these holiday treats easy! A standard hand mixer or stand mixer will make creaming the butter and sugar simple. You’ll also need two basic baking sheets. I highly recommend parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent any sticking. A wire cooling rack is essential for letting the cookies cool down properly before you add the Nutella. If you don’t, the heat will melt the spread into a mess. And finally, a small measuring spoon (like a 1/4 teaspoon) is the perfect tool for creating neat, uniform indentations.

Creative Variations

This recipe is a wonderful canvas for your own creative Christmas food ideas. For a festive look, try rolling the dough balls in red and green sprinkles or crushed pecans before baking. If you’re not a huge Nutella fan, you can absolutely fill these with something else. A dollop of raspberry jam would be a classic and delicious twist. For a peppermint kick, you could fill them with a white chocolate ganache and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. You could even drizzle the finished cookies with a little melted white chocolate for an extra fancy touch. So many fun options for your holiday desserts Christmas lineup!

Doneness Test

The key to perfect Nutella Thumbprint Christmas Cookies is not overbaking them. They won’t be firm when you take them out of the oven. The edges should be set and just barely beginning to show the slightest hint of golden brown. The centers will still look soft and pale. They will firm up significantly as they cool on the hot baking sheet. Honestly, if they look fully cooked and golden in the oven, they’ll likely be overdone and dry once they’ve cooled. Trust the process! They continue to cook from residual heat, so taking them out when they look slightly underdone is the secret to a soft, tender cookie.

Leftovers & Reheating

These cookies are best enjoyed the day they are made, but they’ll keep just fine in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The Nutella might soften the cookie a bit underneath, but they’ll still taste great. I don’t recommend microwaving them, as it will melt the Nutella into a puddle. If you want to prep ahead, you can make the cookie dough, form the balls, and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, just let them thaw for 15-20 minutes on the baking sheet, make the indentations, and bake as directed. Only fill them with Nutella after they have baked and cooled.

Serving Ideas & Pairings

These cookies are a star on any dessert table. Pile them high on a beautiful platter for your Christmas party desserts spread. They pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk for the kids or a hot cup of coffee or coffee for the adults. For a truly spectacular holiday buffet, serve them alongside other simple Christmas desserts like peppermint bark, rice Krispie treats, or a cheeseboard. They’re a rich, sweet treat, so something a little savory or acidic, like a Christmas appetizer of spiced nuts or a cheese straw, would balance them out perfectly on a larger menu.

FAQs About Nutella Thumbprint Cookies

Can I make these cookies ahead of time? Absolutely! The unfilled baked cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container for 2-3 days. I highly recommend waiting to add the Nutella filling until just before you plan to serve them to keep the cookies from getting soggy. You can also freeze the baked, unfilled cookies for up to a month.
My thumbprint indentation puffed up during baking. What did I do wrong? You didn’t do anything wrong! This happens to everyone. That’s why we have the crucial step of pulling the trays out at the 10-minute mark to re-press the indentations. It’s the only way to guarantee a perfect well for your delicious filling.
What are some other easy fillings for these Christmas desserts ideas? While Nutella is our favorite, you can get creative! Lemon curd would be bright and tangy, a simple vanilla buttercream would be sweet and classic, or even a dollop of salted caramel would be incredible. These are wonderfully versatile holiday treats.
Why is my dough crumbly? If your dough isn’t coming together, it might be a bit dry. You can try adding a teaspoon of milk or water to help it bind. But be careful not to add too much, as you want the dough to stay firm enough to hold its shape.