Name: Hazelnut Sea Salt Brown Butter Cookies with Nutella Drizzle Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 1 h 9 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup brown sugar; ¾ cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste; Nutella (for drizzling); Flaky sea salt (for sprinkling)

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 221 reviews

There is nothing quite like a warm, chewy cookie that hits all the right notes between nutty, buttery, sweet, and salty. The Hazelnut Sea Salt Brown Butter Cookies with Nutella Drizzle Recipe brings all these flavors together in a wonderfully irresistible way. Imagine rich brown butter combined with crunchy hazelnut notes, a touch of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness, and a luscious Nutella drizzle that elevates every bite. This cookie is the perfect combination to enjoy with a cup of coffee, share with friends, or savor as a solo treat that feels truly special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image is divided into four parts showing different stages of melting butter in a black pan. The first part shows several pale yellow cubes of butter beginning to melt, with a soft bubbly texture forming below them. The second part shows the butter fully melted and foaming with a smooth, light cream texture covering the pan. The third part shows the foam starting to brown with a light brown layer spreading and a woman's hand holding a light blue spatula gently stirring the mixture. The last part shows a deeper amber-brown butter with darker brown spots, with a woman's hand holding a red spatula resting in the pan. The background surface is white marble photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering simple, quality ingredients is essential for these cookies to shine. Each one plays a pivotal role in creating the perfect texture, flavor depth, and that beautiful golden color we all crave in a cookie.

Unsalted butter: Browned for a rich, nutty flavor that forms the base of the cookie’s irresistible taste.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel sweetness that keeps the cookies chewy.
Granulated sugar: Provides balance and helps the cookies spread just right for a tender bite.
Large eggs: Bind the dough together and contribute to its soft texture.
Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste: Infuses a warm, fragrant note that enhances every other flavor.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives structure to your cookies.
Baking powder and baking soda: Work together for the perfect rise, creating that delightful chewy-soft texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the nutty flavors.
Nutella: Used as a luscious drizzle, bringing creamy hazelnut chocolate goodness.
Flaky sea salt: Sprinkled on top for a delicate crunch and a burst of savory contrast.

How to Make Hazelnut Sea Salt Brown Butter Cookies with Nutella Drizzle Recipe

Step 1: Make the Brown Butter

Start by placing the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and swirl frequently as it melts and begins to foam. You’ll notice it turning a beautiful golden brown with an irresistible nutty aroma—this process takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Once you see these signs, remove the pan from the heat and pour the browned butter into a bowl to cool slightly. This step is where those rich hazelnut flavors truly develop and sets the stage for the best cookie base.

Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper so your cookies won’t stick. In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a larger mixing bowl, beat together the cooled brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until completely smooth. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well until everything is combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients in, stirring until a thick dough forms.

Step 3: Chill and Shape the Dough

Using a large cookie scoop or a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop out the dough and roll it into balls. Placing the dough balls in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes is key. This helps the cookies bake up thick and chewy rather than spreading thin and crispy. I love this simple trick because it really transforms the texture and overall experience of the cookies.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange six cookie dough balls on each baking tray, giving them some space to spread just a bit. Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes; you want the edges to be set but leave the centers slightly soft for that perfect chewy center. Once out of the oven, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step lets the cookies firm up without losing their tenderness.

Step 5: Add the Nutella Drizzle and Sea Salt

Microwave your Nutella for 15 to 20 seconds just until it loosens up and becomes easy to drizzle. Transfer it into a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off and drizzle generously over the cooled cookies. Finally, sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt. This contrasting touch of saltiness against the creamy chocolate and nutty butter really makes these cookies unforgettable.

How to Serve Hazelnut Sea Salt Brown Butter Cookies with Nutella Drizzle Recipe

The image shows nine round cookies laid out on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is light golden brown, slightly thick, and has smooth tops. They are decorated with thin, dark brown chocolate lines drizzled in a wavy pattern across the cookies. Small white sea salt flakes are lightly sprinkled on top of the chocolate drizzle, adding texture. Scattered around the cookies are whole and halved hazelnuts showing their creamy centers, adding a natural touch to the scene. The overall look is neat and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an added touch of elegance, you can scatter some chopped toasted hazelnuts on top of the Nutella drizzle right before it sets. Some extra flaky sea salt crystals offer a lovely crunch and highlight the cookie’s flavor even more. These small embellishments can turn a simple cookie into the star of any dessert spread.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own, but pairing them with a creamy vanilla ice cream or a rich hot chocolate makes for a decadent dessert experience. The cool creaminess of ice cream wonderfully offsets the warm, chewy cookie, while hot chocolate doubles down on that luscious, chocolate-hazelnut vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re gifting these cookies or serving them at a party, try stacking them in a glass jar with layers of parchment paper and a ribbon around the lid. Alternatively, arrange them on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra Nutella and sea salt nearby so that guests can customize their treats. Presentation can take this recipe from delightful to wow-worthy in an instant!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Hazelnut Sea Salt Brown Butter Cookies with Nutella Drizzle Recipe cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days, making them a perfect make-ahead treat to enjoy throughout the week.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or freeze fully baked cookies for future enjoyment. To freeze dough, scoop and roll the balls, then arrange them on a tray to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Baked cookies can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to indulge.

Reheating

Warm your leftover cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes, or microwave for 10 to 15 seconds for that fresh-baked feel. The gentle heat brings back the softness and melts the Nutella drizzle slightly, recreating that just-out-of-the-oven magic.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

While you can swap in salted butter, I recommend sticking with unsalted for this recipe. It allows you to control the salt content better, ensuring the balance between sweet and salty stays perfect, especially with the additional flaky sea salt on top.

What does browning the butter do to the flavor?

Brown butter develops complex nutty and caramel notes that regular melted butter lacks. This deep flavor adds richness and an irresistible depth to the cookies, making them far more interesting and delicious.

Is chilling the dough necessary?

Chilling the dough is really important for these cookies because it helps keep them thick and chewy. Without chilling, the cookies tend to spread out too thin and lose that delightful texture everyone loves.

Can I substitute Nutella with another spread?

Absolutely! While Nutella pairs perfectly with the brown butter and hazelnuts, you could drizzle melted chocolate, peanut butter, or even almond butter for different but tasty variations. Just make sure it’s a spreadable consistency for easy drizzling.

Why use flaky sea salt instead of regular salt?

Flaky sea salt adds a delicate crunch and bursts of saltiness without overpowering the cookie. Its larger crystals create a lovely texture contrast that complements the soft cookie and silky Nutella beautifully.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to bake something that feels cozy, fancy, and downright indulgent all at once, the Hazelnut Sea Salt Brown Butter Cookies with Nutella Drizzle Recipe is it. Each bite brings a perfect harmony of flavors and textures that’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Give them a try, share with loved ones, and watch how these cookies turn ordinary moments into delicious memories.