1. Prepare the Cookie Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with muffin liners. If you’re not using liners, lightly grease the cups to ensure the cookie cups don’t stick.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for this step. This process typically takes about 2-3 minutes and helps incorporate air into the dough, making it soft and chewy.

Once the butter and sugar are fully mixed, add in the vanilla extract and the egg, beating until smooth and well combined. The egg helps bind the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough, while the vanilla provides a delicious aroma and flavor.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. The baking soda helps the cookies rise slightly, creating a soft and chewy texture, while the salt balances the sweetness of the dough.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense cookies. The dough should be thick, soft, and easy to work with. If desired, fold in the mini chocolate chips for added texture and a bit of extra chocolate flavor.

2. Form the Cookie Cups

Scoop about one tablespoon of cookie dough for each cup and place it into the bottom of each muffin cup. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to gently press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the cup, forming a small well in the center of each dough ball. This well will hold the Nutella filling later on.

The cookie dough should form a small, even crust in each muffin cup, with a slightly raised edge. Be careful not to press the dough too thin, as you want the cookie cups to hold their shape and be sturdy enough to contain the Nutella filling.

3. Bake the Cookie Cups

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookie cups are golden brown. The centers may look a little soft, but that’s okay. The cookies will firm up as they cool.

If you want a slightly firmer base, you can bake them for an extra minute, but be careful not to overbake, as the dough could dry out and become too crumbly.

Once baked, remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the cookie cups cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes. This helps them set before you add the Nutella filling. You can gently use a spoon or your fingers to make the wells in the center of the cookies slightly deeper if necessary.

4. Add the Nutella Filling

After the cookie cups have cooled slightly, it’s time to add the Nutella. Use a spoon or a small piping bag to place about one teaspoon of Nutella into the center of each cookie cup. You can add more if you like a gooier center, but one teaspoon is usually enough to create a perfect filling.

The Nutella should sink slightly into the center of the cookie cup, but it will stay gooey and delicious. If you want to get creative, you can drizzle more Nutella on top for an extra chocolatey finish or sprinkle crushed hazelnuts for added crunch and flavor.

5. Cool and Serve

Allow the Nutella Cookie Cups to cool completely in the muffin tin. The Nutella filling will firm up slightly as it cools, making them easier to remove from the tin. Once they are fully cooled, carefully run a knife around the edges of the cookie cups to loosen them from the tin. Gently lift them out and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

For an extra touch, you can top the Nutella Cookie Cups with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or a sprinkle of crushed hazelnuts. These toppings will add a nice contrast in texture and make the cookie cups look even more decadent.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Your Nutella Cookie Cups are now ready to serve! They’re perfect for a special dessert, a party treat, or an indulgent snack. Serve them as is or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat. Enjoy!