As a busy home cook who loves creating quick, family-friendly recipes, I found joy in combining festive traditions with a chocolatey twist. That’s how these irresistible Nutella gingerbread men came to life—soft, chewy cookies with a creamy Nutella center that kids and adults alike can decorate together. Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday baking marathons, this recipe is customizable, fun, and utterly delicious, making every bite a little celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re searching for a festive treat that combines classic holiday flavor with a decadent twist, this irresistible Nutella gingerbread men recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are soft, chewy, and filled with creamy Nutella, making every bite a perfect balance of spice and chocolatey goodness. Quick and easy to make, they’re perfect for busy weeknights, holiday baking sessions, or family-friendly cookie decorating projects. This irresistible Nutella gingerbread men recipe is fully customizable—you can adjust the size, decoration, or even try different fillings—so every batch feels personal and special. The combination of traditional gingerbread spices with Nutella creates a flavor profile that delights kids and adults alike. These cookies also make excellent gifts, holiday treats, or a centerpiece for a festive dessert spread. With simple ingredients and a straightforward method, this irresistible Nutella gingerbread men recipe proves that comfort, flavor, and creativity can all come together in one fun and delicious cookie experience. Your family and friends will love them, and you’ll enjoy the easy, joyful baking process.
Ingredients for This Recipe
This irresistible Nutella gingerbread men recipe combines classic holiday spices with a creamy Nutella filling, creating cookies that are soft, chewy, and full of flavor. Each ingredient plays a key role: the all-purpose flour and baking soda give structure, while spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg bring that signature warm gingerbread aroma. Butter and brown sugar provide richness and softness, molasses adds depth and sweetness, and the egg and vanilla help bind everything together. Nutella is the star, giving each cookie a gooey, chocolate-hazelnut center, and optional decorations like royal icing, chocolate chips, or sprinkles allow you to personalize your irresistible Nutella gingerbread men for holidays or special occasions. Every ingredient works together to make these cookies irresistible, easy to prepare, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.

🛒 Ingredients (makes ~24 cookies):
For the Gingerbread Dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
⅓ cup molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Filling:
½ cup Nutella (or more, as desired)
For Decorations (optional):
Royal icing or store-bought icing
Mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or edible pearls
How to Make This Recipe
Making these irresistible Nutella gingerbread men is a fun and rewarding process that combines traditional holiday baking with a delicious chocolate-hazelnut twist. Each step is designed to keep the cookies soft, chewy, and perfectly filled with Nutella. Chilling the dough ensures the cookies hold their shape, while carefully adding the Nutella filling guarantees a gooey center in every bite. Decorating the cookies allows you to personalize your irresistible Nutella gingerbread men with festive designs, making them perfect for family baking sessions, holiday treats, or special occasions. Following these steps ensures that your cookies turn out beautifully every time, with the perfect combination of gingerbread spice and creamy Nutella filling.
🛒 Steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Whisk together flour, baking soda, and gingerbread spices. In a separate bowl, cream butter and brown sugar, then mix in the egg, molasses, and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients until a smooth dough forms. Chill for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Cut Out Gingerbread Men
Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Use a cookie cutter to cut out gingerbread men shapes.
Step 3: Add Nutella Filling
Place a small dollop of Nutella in the center of half of the cutouts. Top with remaining cutouts and gently press edges to seal.
Step 4: Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes until edges are firm but centers remain soft.
Step 5: Decorate
Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, chocolate chips, or sprinkles to create festive designs.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Share your irresistible Nutella gingerbread men with family and friends, or package them as holiday gifts.

Expert Cooking Tips
Creating the perfect batch of irresistible Nutella gingerbread men takes a few expert tips to ensure every cookie is soft, chewy, and filled with creamy Nutella. Understanding how each ingredient works helps: chilling the dough keeps the gingerbread men from spreading too much, and using quality Nutella ensures a rich, gooey filling. Decorating is easier when cookies are fully cooled, and small adjustments to spice levels allow you to customize your irresistible Nutella gingerbread men to match your taste. Following these tips guarantees a festive, family-friendly treat that’s perfect for holidays, cookie swaps, or cozy nights at home.
💡 Expert Tips:
Chill Dough Before Baking
Chilling the gingerbread dough for at least an hour helps maintain the shape of your irresistible Nutella gingerbread men and makes cutting and handling easier.
Prevent Nutella Leaks
Slightly freeze the Nutella dollops before sealing to prevent spills while baking, keeping your cookies neat and delicious.
Customize Decorations
Use royal icing, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or edible pearls to decorate your irresistible Nutella gingerbread men creatively.
Adjust Spice Levels
Modify ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to suit your family’s taste, making each batch perfectly flavored.
Make Ahead for Convenience
Prepare dough or bake cookies ahead of time; store airtight for up to a week to enjoy anytime.

FAQs
What makes this irresistible Nutella gingerbread men recipe so special?
This recipe combines classic spiced gingerbread with a rich, creamy Nutella center, creating soft, chewy cookies that are fun to decorate and perfect for family baking. The combination of warm spices and chocolate-hazelnut filling makes these irresistible Nutella gingerbread men a holiday favorite.
Can I make these irresistible Nutella gingerbread men ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Once baked, the cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to a week, making them ideal for busy weeknights or holiday celebrations.
How do I prevent the Nutella from leaking while baking?
Slightly chill the dough before cutting and freeze small Nutella dollops briefly before sealing the cookies. Baking at a moderate temperature helps keep the filling intact, ensuring your irresistible Nutella gingerbread men remain neat and gooey.
Can I substitute Nutella with another filling?
Yes, you can use peanut butter, chocolate spread, or even cookie butter, but Nutella provides the perfect creamy texture and chocolate-hazelnut flavor that makes this recipe truly irresistible.
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These irresistible Nutella gingerbread men are the perfect blend of classic holiday spice and rich, creamy Nutella, creating soft, chewy cookies that delight both kids and adults. Quick, easy, and customizable, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, festive baking sessions, or gift-giving during the holidays. By following the simple steps and expert tips, you can create beautifully decorated cookies that are as delicious as they are fun to make. Treat your family and friends to these irresistible Nutella gingerbread men and make every bite a sweet holiday memory.
Print
Irresistible Nutella Gingerbread Men
- Total Time: 40–45 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, chewy gingerbread men filled with creamy Nutella and decorated for the holidays. Perfect for gifting, holiday parties, or cozy evenings with a cup of hot chocolate. These cookies combine classic spiced gingerbread with a decadent chocolate-hazelnut twist.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (makes ~24 cookies):
For the Gingerbread Dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
⅓ cup molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Filling:
½ cup Nutella (or more, as desired)
For Decorations (optional):
Royal icing or store-bought icing
Mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or edible pearls
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla.
Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a smooth dough forms. Divide into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Shape the Cookies
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
Cut into gingerbread men shapes using a cookie cutter.
Step 3: Add Nutella Filling
Use a small spoon or piping bag to place a dollop of Nutella in the center of half of the cutouts.
Top with the remaining cutouts, gently pressing edges to seal.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are firm but centers remain soft.
Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 5: Decorate
Use royal icing, chocolate, or sprinkles to decorate your gingerbread men.
Add faces, buttons, and holiday details as desired.
Notes
- Prevent Leaks: Chill filled cookies before baking to keep Nutella inside.
- Make Ahead: Dough can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.
- Mini Version: Make bite-sized cookies for parties or cookie exchanges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Holiday Cookies
- Method: Baked / Filled / Decorated
- Cuisine: American
