Nutella Sugar Cookies

Nutella Sugar Cookies are chocolatey, nutty, cut-out cookies that bake up soft and chewy. 

We all go a little "nuts" around here for Nutella. So, I figured Nutella Sugar Cookies would probably be a big hit. 

I made a double batch so my littlest one could share these cookies with her preschool class for her birthday treat. Her birthday happens to also be on Star Wars day (May the fourth be with you). Her big brother has encouraged her love of Star Wars. He has watched most of the films with her. When we went to Disneyworld last February, Chewbacca was her favorite character meet and greet. She gave him a hug and was less scared of him than she was of meeting some of the princesses! This year for her birthday she requested a Chewbacca birthday cake and I tried...

Lol, I'm happy she liked it! It was simply a cupcake cake with lots of chocolate buttercream icing. To go along with this theme I made Wookie cookies for her preschool class. You can scroll down to see more about how I made them. I also made the simple flower cookies you see at the top and shared them with our friends at the park. The flower cookies were actually my favorite because I cut them out a little thicker and baked them a little less, so they turned out soft and chewy. It has been a fun birthday week full of cupcakes, cookies, friends, family and happy surprises!

Recipe Link
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup cream cheese (2 oz.), softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract or hazelnut extract
1 large egg
2/3 cup Nutella
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Directions 
1. Cream together butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy using the whisk attachment. Scrape down sides to mix evenly.
2. Add corn syrup, vanilla, almond extract, egg and Nutella and mix well.
3. Change from the whisk to the paddle attachment. Mix in cocoa powder.
4. Add half the flour plus the baking powder, salt and baking soda. Mix well. Add in remaining flour, mix well.
5. Remove dough from bowl, shape into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease to keep cookies from sticking.
7. Roll the chilled dough onto a lightly floured surface about 1/4 inch thick. Use desired cookie cutters. Re-roll dough as necessary. Place on baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven 8-10 minutes.
8. Remove cookies from oven, let cool on pan about 2-3 minutes before moving to cooling racks to cool completely. Store in airtight container.
Makes about 3 dozen, 2 inch cookies

Adapted from The Stay at Home Chef

First, cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy.

Next, add corn syrup, vanilla, almond extract, egg and Nutella. Mix well.

Change to a paddle attachment before adding dry ingredients.

Time to chill in the fridge

Roll out chilled dough on lightly floured surface. Cut out whatever shapes you like. For this batch I used a gingerbread cookie cutter to make Wookie cookies for my little Star Wars fan.

Use a fork to make "fur." Bake cookies in a 375 F. degree oven about 8-10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets 2-3 minutes before removing to cooling rack to cool completely.

Once completely cooled, I used black and white frosting to finish off these Wookie cookies or Chewy Cookies. :)

The Results...
These cookies were a big hit! They taste great plain or with frosting, you choose. I think these would be great as ice cream sandwich cookies, too. I'm gonna have to try that next time I make them.