The most scrumptious chocolate chip cookie bars with a gooey layer of Nutella. Soft, chewy, and extra decadent from the rich layer of Nutella. These Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are easy to make and always a crowd pleaser!
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Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
I don’t think I had ever tasted Nutella until I was 23. For some reason, I thought it was like Vegemite… which I’ve also never had, and I think I’ll be just fine never consuming (if you don’t know, Vegemite is a brown spread made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract and vegetables).
Well now that I’ve tasted (and loved) Nutella, we have a hard time keeping it in the house. A spoonful here, a spoonful there, and before we know it, a 48 oz jar will be gone in like 3 days. Yes, it’s amazing by itself, but it’s even better when baked into these ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie bars.
Bars are way better than individual cookies
I always prefer making bars over individual cookies. First, it saves a ton of time by not forming each cookie. Second, you only need one dish… and then only have to clean one dish (or none if you use a disposable aluminum pan!). Lastly, it’s so much easier to transport, especially if you have a handy carrying case for your 9x13.
I got this Anchor Bakeware Set with Case years ago but Pyrex also has a 4-Piece Baking Dish Set with lid and carrying case.
How Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars started
I started making these cookie bars about 5 years ago when I was in grad school residency for nurse anesthesia. Baking was my stress relief, and the CRNAs at my training facility benefitted from that every, single week. These were definitely my most popular and most frequently requested creation.
And many of the CRNAs developed somewhat of a Pavlov conditioned response to my carrying case. Remember back from Psychology 101? The experiment when the dogs would start salivating at the sound of the bell in anticipation of food? Well, the same thing started to happen when they saw my Pyrex carrying case LOL! In fact, one time I forgot to take the empty dish and case home, and when they saw it the next morning, they thought I had baked two days in a row and were very let down when they opened it to only find crumbs!
Always an Impressive Dessert
Now, these Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars my go-to recipe whenever I need a simple but impressive dessert that wows. And they’ve never let me down!
- Church potluck? Make these!
- Gift for new neighbors? Make these!
- Want everyone to like you when you start training at a new hospital? (I know from experience!) Make these!
- Going on a beach vacation and want to look your best in a new bikini? Hmm… you can still make these, but don’t eat all of them! (Instead, you can indulge in the more health-conscious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies).
Obviously, they’re not healthy. Like any other baked goods, they contain a lot of sugar and fat. But ya gotta have balance!
So treat yourself to one of these delicious bars and share the rest. Your friends or family will thank you!
How to Make Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 glass pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until combined. Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix on low, just until combined. Then, stir in the chocolate chips.
The Easy Way to Layer your Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Divide the cookie dough in half. Press half of the cookie dough into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula or your hands. Place the pan of dough and the remaining dough in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up.
Once the cookie dough is firm, spread the Nutella over the cookie dough in the pan, covering the entire surface.
Using your hands, flatten the remaining cookie dough into squares and place on top of the Nutella layer, pinching the edges of each square together so all of the Nutella is covered.
Bake cookie bars for 30-35 minutes or until the top of the bars are light golden brown and the edges start to pull away from the pan.
Cool bars on a wire rack to room temperature. Then cut bars into squares and serve.
Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 13 oz jar Nutella or other hazelnut spread
Instructions
- Spray a 9x13 glass pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until combined. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix on low, just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Divide the cookie dough in half. Press half of the cookie dough into the prepared pan.
- Place the pan of dough and the remaining dough in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F while the dough is in the freezer.
- Once dough is firm, spread the Nutella over the cookie dough in the pan, covering the entire surface.
- Using your hands, flatten the remaining cookie dough into squares and place on top of the Nutella layer. Pinch edges of each square together so all of the Nutella is covered.
- Bake cookie bars for 30-35 minutes or until the top of the bars are light golden brown and the edges start to pull away from the pan.
- Cool bars on a wire rack to room temperature.
- Cut bars into squares and serve.
