There is something irresistibly delightful about the combination of warm, chewy cookies hugging a rich and creamy center, and that is exactly what makes the Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups Filled with Nutella Recipe a standout treat. These adorable cookie cups offer the perfect marriage between classic chocolate chip cookie goodness and the luscious, nutty smoothness of Nutella, creating bite-sized pockets of pure bliss. Whether you’re craving a fun dessert to impress friends or a cozy indulgence for yourself, this recipe delivers a crispy edge with a gooey surprise inside, making every munch memorable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these cookie cups comes down to simple, well-chosen ingredients that each play their part in crafting texture, flavor, and that golden-brown color. From the rich butter that lends a nutty undertone to the melty chocolate chips that create pockets of sweetness, every component is essential.
- Salted Butter (9 tbsp): Start with about 127 grams to achieve that perfectly browned, caramelized flavor which is the backbone of the cookie dough.
- Dark Brown Sugar (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp, packed): Adds moistness and a subtle molasses depth for chewy texture and color.
- Granulated Sugar (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp): Balances sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Large Egg (1, room temperature): Binds everything together and keeps cookies soft.
- Vanilla Extract (3/4 tsp): Elevates the flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 1/2 cups, spooned & leveled): The main structure of the cookie, ensuring sturdiness for holding fillings.
- Baking Soda (1/2 tsp): A leavening agent that helps the cookie cups rise slightly and stay soft.
- Baking Powder (1/2 tsp): Works with baking soda to achieve the ideal texture.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the dough.
- Chocolate Chips (3/4 cup): The classic melty pockets you expect in a cookie.
- Nutella or Desired Fillings: The crowning glory – creamy, hazelnut-filled pockets of heaven.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups Filled with Nutella Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Brown the Butter
Begin by letting your butter soften at room temperature so it’s easy to work with. Preheat your oven to 350℉. To really elevate the flavor, brown the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat—watch it melt, bubble, then deepen to a golden caramel color with a nutty aroma. This step adds a rich complexity that makes your cookie cups irresistibly flavorful. Pour the browned butter into a bowl, scraping in those tasty brown bits at the bottom, then let it cool slightly.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
Whisk your dark brown sugar and granulated sugar into the browned butter until combined. Then beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually stir in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, creating a dough that is slightly sticky but easy to work with. Lastly, fold in your chocolate chips, the little pockets of happiness that will melt into the dough as it bakes.
Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookie Cups
Spray your muffin or tart pans generously with nonstick spray. Depending on your pan size, portion out the dough—roughly 2 tablespoons per muffin cup or about 1/3 cup per mini tart—pressing the dough firmly into the bottom and up the sides to form a cup shape. Bake in your preheated oven; about 8-9 minutes for standard muffin cups or 10 minutes for tart pans. Don’t worry if the centers look a little underbaked; they will set up perfectly as they cool. To ensure a perfect cavity for the filling, gently press a spoon into the centers just after they come out of the oven.
Step 4: Cool and Fill
Once cool enough to handle, carefully remove the cookie cups from the pans. The easiest way is to flip the pan over and tap with a butter knife to release them. Now the fun part: fill each cookie cup with luscious Nutella or your favorite filling of choice. These Nutella-filled surprises add the perfect creamy contrast to the baked cookie shell.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups Filled with Nutella Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little garnish can make your cookie cups irresistible. Dust a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or cocoa powder on top for an elegant look. Chopped hazelnuts or a drizzle of melted chocolate add extra texture and richness, elevating these treats beyond the ordinary.
Side Dishes
These cookie cups pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the richness. For a festive touch, serve alongside fresh berries or a small glass of cold milk – a nostalgic classic that never fails.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or special occasions, place each cookie cup in colorful mini cupcake liners or on a decorative serving platter. You can also create a dessert bar with various fillings like peanut butter, caramel, or even flavored cream cheese, allowing your guests to customize their own delicious treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. If you prefer them chilled, refrigeration will keep them fresh for up to 5 days, though the texture might firm up slightly.
Freezing
You can freeze both baked cookie cups and unbaked dough! For baked cups, freeze uncovered on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before filling. Dough balls can be frozen similarly, ready to bake fresh whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
Reheat your filled cookie cups gently in a microwave for about 15 seconds to revive that glorious gooey center. If unfilled, warm them in a preheated oven at 325℉ for 4-5 minutes to regain their freshly baked charm.
FAQs
Can I use other fillings besides Nutella?
Absolutely! While Nutella is classic, this recipe is versatile—try peanut butter, caramel sauce, or even a fun cream cheese frosting to surprise your taste buds.
Can I double the recipe for more servings?
Yes, doubling the ingredients works perfectly if you want to make more cookie cups for a crowd or save for later.
What type of chocolate chips should I use?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are traditional and balance the sweetness well, but feel free to experiment with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips for different flavor twists.
Is browning the butter necessary?
Browned butter adds a deeper, nuttier flavor but it’s optional. If you’re short on time, melted butter will still yield tasty cookie cups.
How do I prevent the cookie cups from sticking to the pan?
Make sure to generously spray your pans with nonstick spray, and let the cookie cups cool completely before attempting to remove them for easy release.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fun, tasty dessert that brings smiles and oohs of delight, you simply can’t go wrong with the Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups Filled with Nutella Recipe. These little pockets of joy are perfect for sharing (or not!), celebrating, and satisfying any sweet tooth in an instant. Give it a try and watch these charming cookie cups become an instant favorite in your kitchen!
PrintChocolate Chip Cookie Cups Filled with Nutella Recipe
Delight in these scrumptious Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups filled with creamy Nutella. This recipe features a small batch of cookie dough made with browned butter for a rich, nutty flavor. Baked in muffin or tart pans, these cups have soft, chewy edges and an irresistibly gooey center perfect for a variety of fillings like Nutella, peanut butter, or ice cream. Ideal for individual treats or a fun dessert for gatherings, they’re quick to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes (depending on pan size)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16-18 cookie cups (regular muffin pan size)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 9 tbsp salted butter (start with 127 grams, use about 103 grams after browning)
- 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp dark brown sugar, packed (82 g)
- 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar (78 g)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled or weighed out (195 g)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Fillings
- Nutella (recommended)
- Peanut butter
- Other desired fillings such as ice cream or caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prep: Allow butter to soften at room temperature. Preheat your oven to 350℉ (177℃). Choose your baking pans – mini tart pans, regular muffin tins, or mini muffin tins. Note that this recipe yields 7-8 tart-sized cookie cups, about 16-18 regular muffin size cups, or around 35 mini muffin cups depending on pan choice.
- Brown the Butter (Optional): Place butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until melted, then reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking and stirring frequently until the butter foams, bubbles, and turns golden brown with a nutty, caramel aroma—this takes about 4 to 6 minutes. Pour browned butter into a bowl including the browned bits, and allow to cool to warm but not hot.
- Make the Cookie Dough: To the browned butter, add both sugars and whisk until combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking for 30-45 seconds until smooth. Stir in the dry ingredients—flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt—until just combined. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake the Cookie Cups: Spray your chosen pans with nonstick spray. Spoon dough into pans as follows: about 3.5 ounces (1/3 cup) per mini tart pan, about 2 ounces (2 generous tablespoons) per regular muffin cup, or about 1/2 ounce (2 teaspoons) per mini muffin cup. Press dough up the sides to form cups. Bake tart pans for 10 minutes, regular muffin pans for 8-9 minutes, and mini muffin pans for 6-8 minutes. Cookies should be puffy and lightly browned around edges but may appear slightly wet in centers. Use the back of a spoon to gently create an indent in the center after baking. Allow to cool where they will set perfectly.
- Serve and Store: Once cooled enough to handle, remove cookie cups from pans carefully using a spoon or butter knife, or invert pan and tap out cups gently. Fill cups with Nutella, peanut butter, ice cream, caramel sauce, or your favorite fillings. Enjoy immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerated for 4-5 days.
Notes
- Browned butter adds a deeper, nutty flavor but is optional if short on time.
- Cookie cups will look slightly underdone when removed from oven but will firm up as they cool.
- Pressing dough into pan sides ensures the shape holds for filling.
- You can double the recipe for larger batches.
- Try different fillings like peanut butter, caramel, or ice cream for variety.
