Soft and chewy brown sugar oatmeal cookie bars filled with Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread and chocolate chips. This easy recipe requires very little hands on time, the crust and topping are made from the same mixture
Nutella lovers unite! I found another thing to stuff Nutella into and I couldn’t be happier (also see: Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies and Nutella Stuffed Nutella Cookies). These cookie bars check all the boxes: taste, texture, ease – you’ll go crazy for them! Not a fan of Nutella? Try my Oatmeal Fudge Bars!
Why you’ll love this recipe
Taste: Butter, brown sugar, vanilla, Nutella, and chocolate chips. A winning combination!
Texture: Soft and chewy oatmeal cookie crust and topping with a creamy chocolate filling.
Ease: Very little hands on time, with the crust and topping made from the same mixture.
Crowd pleaser: Serve these bars and watch them disappear – they’re always a hit!
Recipe overview
*Full recipe below in recipe card*
The crust and the topping of these bars are made from the same mixture, which tastes like a buttery, brown sugar oatmeal cookie.
Press a little more than half of the cookie dough into a lined 8×8 baking pan. Pop the remaining dough into the fridge. Bake the crust for 12 minutes.
Top the crust with Nutella and chocolate chips. Be careful – the crust will be soft!
Add the reserved topping and return to the oven for 18-22 minutes.
Recipe tips
Weigh your flour for the most accurate result. If you don’t have a scale, use my tips for measuring with cups.
Make sure your brown sugar is fresh and soft; this helps make the bars chewy.
Let the bars cool before cutting.
Serve the bars *slightly* warm and the chocolaty center will be extra melty and gooey.
Recipe
Nutella Stuffed Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons (141g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (170g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1⅓ cup (165g) all purpose flour*
- 1 cup (80g) old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup Nutella, chocolate hazelnut spread
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 square pan with foil or parchment and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and brown sugar until fully combined. Beat in vanilla and egg, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add flour, oats, baking, soda, and salt, beating until combined.
- Place a little more than half of the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared pan and place the remaining dough (which will be used for the topping) in the refrigerator. Press the mixture in the pan into an even, flat layer (I moisten my fingertips with water and press it in). Bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and immediately add the Nutella. Since the crust will be soft, you don't want to spread too vigorously. I recommend dolloping the Nutella all around the top of the dough, then using an offset spatula to lightly spread the Nutella into an even layer. The heat from the crust will melt the Nutella slightly, which will make it easier to spread. Sprinkle the Nutella with chocolate chips. Remove the reserved dough from the refrigerator and press it into flat, irregular shaped pieces and place them all over the top of the chocolate.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the top is baked and golden brown. After removing from the oven I like to add a few chocolate chips on top, so feel free to do so, if you'd like. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool. The longer these cool, the more "set" the filling will be. Do not cut them while they are hot, as the chocolate will ooze out. I recommend serving them slightly warm so that the chocolate is mostly firm but still a little melted.
Video
Notes
- Whisk the flour several times to lighten it, scoop a heaping portion, and level it off with the back of a knife.
- Stir the flour with a spoon to lighten it, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off.
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Suzy
These are just genius! Thanks for sharing
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
I literally sat there looking at the first photo of these delicious nutella cookie bars for a good minute before I scrolled down to read your blog. These bars are dangerous! Seriously dangerous because I would eat the whole dang thing myself. But, I’m up for the challenge! 🙂
Teri Stephens
I have a major problem with this recipe. I would eat them all myself. YUM!
Kate | Veggie Desserts
So much deliciousness in one recipe! Nutella makes everything sooo extra special.
Tyler
These look delicious. We make so many recipes with Nutella in the test kitchen, I love it! I’m a fan of baked goods etc, just don’t like it as a spread. Strange, I know!
Suzanne
Can you double the recipe and place in a 9×13 pan?
Celebrating Sweets
Yes, that should work.
Marti
These were super easy and fast to make. I threw these together and popped them in my Breville oven to bake in an instant! I am glad I only made one 8 x 8 because they are easy to eat as well.
Thank you from a real Nutella lover.
Celebrating Sweets
Glad you liked them. Thanks for stopping by!
Liz
How long do they keep once baked? Are there freezable.?
Btw these are UN-BELIEVE-ABLE!!!!!
Celebrating Sweets
Hi, Liz. Sorry for the late reply, I was traveling after the holiday. Yes, you can freeze them, or keep tightly covered at room temp for several days. Glad you enjoyed them!
Kendall
I’m in the process of making these right now on a cold snowy day with my 4yo home with a snow day. I have a feeling these are really only 2 servings, not 12. Can you use corse kosher salt in place of sea salt? We don’t have sea salt on hand.
Celebrating Sweets
Sure, just you the salt you have. Adjust to suit your taste. Enjoy!
Sandy
I made these tonight. Recipe was easy to follow & they are delicious. I will include these in my Christmas cookie trays for gifts. Will definitely make them again. Thanks foe sharing the recipe!
Celebrating Sweets
Thanks for the kind review, Sandy. Happy holidays!