Chocolate Nutella Linzer Cooklies
Chocolate Nutella Linzer Cookies that come together in under one hour!
Why You'll Fall in Love with These Cooklies:
- Chocolate Lovers' Dream: If you're a chocolate fanatic like me, these cooklies are going to be your new obsession! The rich cocoa dough paired with creamy Nutella filling is like a little piece of chocolate heaven in every bite.
- Beautiful Presentation: These cooklies don’t just taste amazing—they look stunning too! With Nutella peeking through the layered design, they’re perfect for special occasions or as a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Customizable Shapes: One of my favorite things about these cooklies is how customizable they are. You can get creative with the shapes, from classic circles to cute hearts, adding that personal touch to your baking.
- Easy and Fun to Make: Whether you’re baking solo or with little helpers, these cooklies are a blast to make. The process of cutting out shapes and filling them is super straightforward and fun for everyone involved.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 12 tsp Nutella
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar, optional
Tools and Equipment:
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment
- Sifter
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Linzer cookie cutters (or small and large round/heart-shaped cookie cutters)
- Baking sheets
Instructions
- Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder; set aside
- In bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light, about 2-3 minutes
- Add vanilla and the egg, mix until combined
- Add the dry ingredients in 3 steps and beat just until combined; flatten and wrap the dough in kitchen plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes or freeze for 15 minutes
- Once the dough has chilled, allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Separate the dough into 2 parts; roll in between 2 parchment papers or silicone baking mats to 1/4" - 3/8" thick.
- Pro-Tip: for clean cutting and shaping of the cookies, freeze the rolled dough sheets for 15 minutes
- Cut your desired shapes with linzer cookie cutters (if you don't have Linzer Cookies cutters, using any round, heart small and large coordinating cookie cutters (or back of large piping tip) works great)
- Bake on middle rack for 10-15 minutes. Pro-Tip: bake the cookies immediately after cutting while the dough is still cold to prevent spreading.
- Bake on same parchment paper or silicone mats on which the dough has been rolled to prevent any mis-shaping while transferring.
- Allow the cookies to fully chill after baking before filling them with Nutella. Optional: dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!
Tips for Baking Success:
- Cold Butter is Key: Start with room temperature butter for easy mixing, but keep the dough cold to prevent spreading during baking. This helps maintain those perfect shapes!
- Chill for Precision: Don’t skip the chilling step! Chilling the dough before rolling and after cutting ensures you get sharp edges and perfectly shaped cooklies.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you’ve added the dry ingredients, mix just until everything’s combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cooklies, and we want them soft and tender.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Dough Too Sticky? If your dough is a little sticky, just add a bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s workable. You’ll be back on track in no time.
- Cookies Spreading? To avoid this, make sure your dough is well-chilled before baking, and always use a cold baking sheet.
- Uneven Baking? Rotate your baking sheet halfway through the baking time. This ensures even baking for all your cooklies.
Fun Variations to Try:
- Jam-Filled Cooklies: Swap out the Nutella for your favorite fruit jam or preserves for a delicious fruity twist.
- Peanut Butter Surprise: For a rich, nutty flavor, try filling these cooklies with creamy peanut butter instead of Nutella.
- Holiday Spice: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced version that’s perfect for the holiday season.
Storing and Serving Tips:
- Storing: Keep your cooklies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week. For longer storage, pop them in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze them for up to three months.
- Serving: These cooklies are best enjoyed at room temperature, making them perfect for tea parties, holiday gatherings, or as a sweet treat anytime you need a pick-me-up.
More Decorating Ideas:
- Classic Powdered Sugar Dusting: After you’ve assembled your cooklies with the filling, dust the tops generously with powdered sugar. This adds a beautiful contrast with the filling peeking through the cut-out center, giving them that traditional and elegant look.
- Chocolate-Dipped Edges: For an extra touch of indulgence, dip the edges of your assembled cooklies in melted chocolate (dark, milk, or white) and let them set on parchment paper. It’s a delicious contrast to the filling!
- Colorful Sprinkles: Before the chocolate sets on the edges, roll them in colorful sprinkles or nonpareils. This adds a fun, festive flair that’s perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Pairing Suggestions for Linzer Cooklies:
- Tea: These cooklies are wonderful with a variety of teas. I love pairing them with classic black tea like Earl Grey or English Breakfast for a robust flavor contrast, or with a delicate green tea or chamomile for a lighter, soothing experience.
- Coffee: For all the coffee lovers out there, these cooklies are a dream with a freshly brewed cup. The rich, buttery flavor pairs perfectly with the boldness of a dark roast or balances nicely with a milder medium roast.
- Hot Chocolate: If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy treat, enjoy these cooklies with a mug of hot chocolate. The combination of chocolate and filling with a creamy, sweet drink is just pure indulgence.
Fun Trivia:
Did you know that Linzer cooklies, which inspired these delicious treats, hail from Linz, Austria? Traditionally filled with jam and dusted with powdered sugar, Linzer cooklies have become a worldwide favorite, especially during the holidays. The charming cut-out top layer gives these cooklies their distinctive look, making them just as fun to make as they are to eat!
Chocolate Nutella Linzer Cooklies
Chocolate Nutella Linzer Cookies that come together in under one hour!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 12 tsp Nutella
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar, optional
Instructions
- • Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder; set aside
- • In bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light, about 2-3 minutes
- • Add vanilla and the egg, mix until combined
- • Add the dry ingredients in 3 steps and beat just until combined; flatten and wrap the dough in kitchen plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes or freeze for 15 minutes
- • Once the dough has chilled, allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- • Separate the dough into 2 parts; roll in between 2 parchment papers or silicone baking mats to 1/4" - 3/8" thick.
- Pro-Tip: for clean cutting and shaping of the cookies, freeze the rolled dough sheets for 15 minutes
- • Cut your desired shapes with linzer cookie cutters (if you don't have Linzer Cookies cutters, using any round, heart small and large coordinating cookie cutters (or back of large piping tip) works great)
- • Bake on middle rack for 10-15 minutes. Pro-Tip: bake the cookies immediately after cutting while the dough is still cold to prevent spreading.
- • Bake on same parchment paper or silicone mats on which the dough has been rolled to prevent any mis-shaping while transferring.
- • Allow the cookies to fully chill after baking before filling them with Nutella. Optional: dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!
