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Chocolate-filled cookies with gooey melted centers on a white ceramic plate, perfect for a homemade dessert recipe
Nimble Chef

Chocolate-Filled Cookies

Soft, tender butter cookies with a rich melted chocolate center. These chocolate-filled cookies bake up golden at the edges, pale and delicate in the middle, and deliver an ooey-gooey chocolate surprise in every bite.
Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 3 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 151

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225g)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150g)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed (50g)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 6 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped into small chunks (170g)
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt, optional if using dark chocolate

Equipment

  • electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • cookie scoop or tablespoon measure
  • baking sheets
  • parchment paper or silicone baking mats
  • wire rack

Method
 

  1. Cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light, fluffy, and almost pale, about 3 minutes with an electric mixer.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix for another minute, until smooth, glossy, and well combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
  5. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes so it is easier to handle and seal around the chocolate filling.
  6. Divide the chilled dough into 24 equal portions, using a cookie scoop or tablespoon measure if helpful.
  7. Flatten one dough portion in your palm until it is about 1/8-inch thick. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of chopped chocolate in the center.
  8. Gently fold the dough around the chocolate, sealing the edges completely. Roll between your palms to create a smooth ball with no visible cracks.
  9. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  10. Place the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheets and slightly flatten each one until about 1 inch thick.
  11. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until the edges are light golden and the centers are still pale.
  12. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before shaping so it is easier to seal around the chocolate. Use room-temperature butter, not melted butter, for the best creaming texture. Seal each cookie completely to prevent chocolate from leaking during baking. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before moving them. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for about 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. To refresh, warm slightly stale cookies in a 300°F oven for 3–4 minutes.