Brown Butter Nutella Stuffed M&M Cookies

This recipe is the ultimate indulgence, combining the nutty richness of brown butter with a molten Nutella center and the classic crunch of M&M candies. By browning the butter, you elevate a standard cookie dough into something sophisticated, with deep caramel notes that perfectly complement the creamy hazelnut filling.

Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert to share on social media or a cozy weekend baking project, these Nutella-stuffed cookies deliver a bakery-style experience right from your kitchen. The contrast between the salty, browned butter dough and the sweet, gooey center makes these an instant favorite for any chocolate lover.

Why You’ll Love These

• The Molten Center: Biting into a warm cookie to find a hidden, gooey Nutella core is a dessert dream come true.

• Deep Flavor Profile: Browning the butter adds a complex, toasted flavor that balances the sweetness of the M&Ms and chocolate chips.

• Perfect Texture: These cookies are engineered to be soft and chewy on the inside with slightly crisp, buttery edges.

• Visual Appeal: The bright M&Ms and flaky sea salt topping make these cookies look as good as they taste.

Brown Butter Nutella Stuffed M&M Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup + 1 tbsp (240g) Unsalted butter, browned and cooled
• 1 1/3 cup (280g) Light brown sugar
• 2 Eggs, room temperature
• 2 tsp (10ml) Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• 2 1/2 cups (312g) All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp (5g) Baking soda
• 1 tsp (5g) Baking powder
• 1 tsp (3g) Cornstarch
• 1 tsp (6g) Salt
• Nutella: Roughly 2/3 cup, chilled in dollops (approximately 1 heaping tbsp each)
• 3/4 cup (135g) Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup (150g) M&M minis (plus more for topping)

Instructions

1. Prep the Nutella: Line a small tray with parchment paper. Pipe or spoon about 1-2 teaspoon-sized dollops of Nutella onto the tray and place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes until solid.

2. Brown the Butter and Preheat Oven: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the butter foams up and you see little brown specks at the bottom with a nutty aroma. Immediately pour into a large bowl (including the brown bits!) and let it cool. Preheat oven to 350F.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the light brown sugar to the cooled brown butter and whisk until combined. Add the eggs and vanilla, whisking until the mixture is smooth and slightly pale.

4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Fold gently with a spatula until just a few streaks of flour remain.

5. Fold in Mix-ins: Stir in the chocolate chips and M&Ms until evenly distributed.

6. Stuff the Cookies: Scoop about 2-3 tablespoons of dough and flatten it in your palm. Place a frozen Nutella dollop in the center, then fold the edges of the dough over to seal it completely. Roll into a smooth ball.

7. Top and Bake: Press a few extra M&Ms and chocolate chips onto the top of each dough ball. Place cookies on a parchment-lined sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft. This recipe yields 12 cookies.

9. Finish: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt if desired.

Tips for Success

• Don’t skip the chill: Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too thin and ensures the Nutella stays centered.

• Seal tightly: Make sure there are no cracks in the dough when covering the frozen Nutella, or it might leak out during baking.

• Room temp eggs: Ensure your eggs aren’t cold so they incorporate smoothly into the brown butter mixture without seizing it.

Storage & Freshness

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. To get that “molten” center back, microwave for 5-10 seconds before eating.

• Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked, stuffed dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

• Freshness Tip: Place a piece of white bread in the container with the baked cookies to keep them soft for longer!

Nutella, vanilla bean paste, piping bags, self-sealing cookie bags, cookie scoops and tons of other items I use to bake with is linked for you in my Amazon Storefront!