Nutella Sandwich Cookies Recipe

These Nutella sandwich cookies are delicate, thin, and intentionally restrained. They are not oversized bakery cookies or aggressively sweet desserts. They are the kind of cookie I make when I want clean flavors, controlled texture, and something that feels finished without being fussy.

This recipe is a close variation of my classic linzer-style dough, tested many times with different nuts and fillings. Swapping almonds for hazelnuts and jam for Nutella changes the structure just enough that details matter. Rolled thin, baked carefully, and filled with restraint, these cookies are tender but sturdy and deeply flavored without being heavy.

If you enjoy baking that rewards precision and patience, this is your kind of recipe.

Who This Recipe Is For

This recipe is for bakers who value repeatable results and understand that thin cookies demand attention. If you like knowing why a dough behaves a certain way and how to fix it when it doesn’t, you’ll feel comfortable here.

It’s also a good choice if you prefer cookies that age well. These are actually better the day after baking, once the filling has softened the layers and the flavors have had time to settle.

If you’re looking for a quick, rustic drop cookie, this isn’t it. But if you enjoy thoughtful baking with a payoff, these cookies earn their place.

Why This Recipe Works

The structure of these cookies relies on balance rather than strength. The dough is low in flour, enriched with butter and egg yolk, and softened by finely ground hazelnuts. That combination creates tenderness without crumbliness.

Using confectioners’ sugar instead of granulated sugar keeps the crumb fine and smooth. There is no aggressive spread, which is critical when the dough is rolled as thin as it should be.

The rum and cinnamon are not flavor stars, but they matter. Alcohol carries aroma, and a small amount lifts the chocolate and nut notes without tasting boozy. Cinnamon does the same quietly, rounding out bitterness and adding warmth.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

• All-purpose flour – Provides structure, but in a restrained amount so the cookies stay delicate rather than bready.
• Salt – Sharpens sweetness and keeps the Nutella filling from tasting flat.
• Baking soda – A very small amount helps the dough relax and brown evenly without puffing.
• Ground cinnamon – Enhances chocolate and hazelnut flavors without announcing itself.
• Unsalted butter – Supplies richness and tenderness. Soft but not greasy butter is key.
• Confectioners’ sugar – Dissolves easily and keeps the crumb smooth and fine.
• Hazelnuts – Finely ground for flavor and softness. Large pieces will weaken the dough.
• Egg yolk – Adds richness and binds the dough without excess moisture.
• Dark rum – Lifts aroma and deepens chocolate flavor in a subtle way.
• Vanilla extract – Rounds out sweetness and supports the nutty base.
• Nutella – Acts as both filling and softening agent once the cookies rest.

How to make Nutella Sandwich Cookies?

Step 1 - Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Sift the flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon together thoroughly. This step ensures even distribution and prevents bitter pockets of leavening or spice.

Set the mixture aside where it’s easy to reach. Once the butter and sugar are creamed, timing matters.

Step 2 - Cream the Butter and Sugar

Cream the butter and confectioners’ sugar until the mixture lightens in color and looks aerated. This should take about two minutes, and scraping the bowl matters more than speed.

You’re building structure here, not volume. Stop as soon as the mixture looks smooth and fluffy.

Step 3 - Add Flavoring Ingredients

Add the finely ground hazelnuts, egg yolk, rum, and vanilla. Mix just until combined, then scrape the bowl thoroughly.

Overmixing at this stage will make the dough greasy and fragile later.

Step 4 - Incorporate the Flour

With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients. Stop as soon as the dough comes together.

Finish by hand on a lightly floured surface to avoid overworking the dough.

Step 5 - Chill the Dough

Form the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate until firm. This usually takes several hours.

Chilling is non-negotiable. Warm dough will tear and lose its shape when rolled thin.

Step 6 - Roll and Cut

Roll the dough to exactly 1/8 inch thickness. Thicker cookies will overwhelm the filling and feel heavy once sandwiched.

Cut clean shapes and transfer them carefully to parchment-lined pans, spacing them closely since spread is minimal.

Step 7 - Bake Carefully

Bake until the edges are just turning golden. This happens quickly, often within eight minutes.

Rotate the pans halfway through and watch closely. Thin cookies move from pale to overbaked fast.

Step 8 - Fill and Assemble

Once completely cool, flip half the cookies over and spread or pipe a thin layer of Nutella on each base.

Top with remaining cookies and press gently. The cookies will soften slightly as they rest.

Visual and Texture Cues to Watch For

The dough should feel cool, smooth, and pliable when properly chilled. If it cracks when rolled, it’s too cold. If it sticks, it’s too warm.

Baked cookies should be pale in the center with lightly golden edges. Any darker, and they’ll taste dry once filled.

After assembly and resting, the cookies should slice cleanly and feel tender, not crumbly.

Tips

• Roll the dough between parchment if your kitchen runs warm.
• Return cut cookies to the refrigerator if they soften before baking.
• Use a light hand with Nutella to avoid squeeze-out.
• Let assembled cookies rest overnight for best texture.
• Always cool completely before filling to prevent melting.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

If the dough tears while rolling, it’s either too warm or under-chilled. Refrigerate briefly and try again.

Cookies that bake unevenly are usually rolled inconsistently. Take time to check thickness across the sheet.

If assembled cookies slide apart, too much filling is the culprit. Less filling creates better structure.

Substitutions and What Changes

Almonds can replace hazelnuts, but the flavor will be milder and less cohesive with the filling.

If you omit rum, the cookies will still work, but the flavor will feel flatter. Use vanilla-only sparingly.

Store-bought Nutella works well, though homemade versions tend to soften the cookies more evenly.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing

The dough can be made several days ahead and refrigerated tightly wrapped without issue.

Unbaked cut cookies can be frozen solid and baked straight from the freezer with a slight increase in baking time.

Assembled cookies keep well for up to a week in a covered container. They are best after the first day.