Nutella Stuffed Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have, over the years, made tons of chocolate chip cookies. It used to be, I was a strict adherent to the Nestle Tollhouse cookies, and, really if you want a delicious and uncomplicated chocolate chip cookie, go with that one. (Just use better chocolate chips.)

But recently, I have learned the magic of browned butter in cookies. I don't know who started this idea, but whoever it was was a brilliant person. The browned butter adds a complex nutty flavor. And, what isn't made better with Nutella? These are a bit more complicated to make than basic cookies, and your hands get super messy, but they are totally worth it.

You know you want to eat these.

Nutella Stuffed Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

adapted from The Ambitious Kitchen
makes 3 dozen cookies

1 c (2 sticks) butter
1 1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c white sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 c flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 ounces chocolate chips; I use Ghiardelli milk chocolate chips
1 jar of Nutella, refrigerated until hard (you won't use the whole jar)
Course ground sea salt for sprinkling on top

Melt butter on stove, and watch it foam. Twirl the pan and watch the bottom start to turn brown. Remove from the heat when it is copper colored and put in the bottom of your mixing bowl. It is very important to remove the butter from the pan as it will keep cooking and burn. Allow to cool for about fifteen minutes. Mix in both sugars until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth.

Add dry ingredients and mix. Add in chocolate chips.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Using a large spoon, measure approximately 1 tablespoon of batter and form into a ball. Then flatten between the palms of your hand so you have a disk. Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of Nutella into the disk, then pull the sides up to reform the ball. Repeat for all cookies.

Bake at 350 for ten minutes. They are going to come out of the oven looking a little raw, but you're not going to take them off of the tray right away, so they'll continue to cook. Sprinkle with sea salt immediately after taking them out of the oven.