There’s something undeniably magical about a warm, gooey cookie—especially when it’s packed with melty chocolate, crunchy M&Ms, and a hidden lava center of hazelnut bliss. But let’s be real: these cookies aren’t just delicious. They’re dangerously addictive. I found this recipe on the internet somewhere and decided to try them for myself. The result?
Derek, my resident cookie connoisseur (and a man who takes his chocolate chip cookies extremely seriously), has declared these Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies a top-tier indulgence. And honestly, I get it. They have all the drama of a secret mission—soft yet crisp edges, a molten core of Nutella, and just enough M&M crunch to keep things interesting.
Want to bake up your own batch of top-secret treats? Here’s the classified recipe:
Chocolate Lava M&M Surprise Cookies are the ultimate indulgence—crispy on the edges, irresistibly soft in the center, and loaded with melty chocolate, crunchy M&Ms, and a gooey hazelnut surprise. With every bite, you'll experience a rich, fudgy explosion of flavors, making these cookies an absolute must-try for chocolate lovers. Serve them warm for an out-of-this-world molten center or let them cool for a chewy, candy-studded treat. Either way, they’re a guaranteed win for any dessert lover.
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword Chocolate lava cookies, Gooey chocolate cookies, M&M stuffed cookies, Nutella cookies, Surprise center cookies
Prep Time 25 minutesminutes
Cook Time 12 minutesminutes
Total Time 37 minutesminutes
Servings 12cookies
Calories
Author Dorey Duncan Scott
Equipment
2 Mixing bowls (One for wet ingredients, one for dry)
1 Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer (For creaming butter and sugars)
Measuring cups and spoons (For accurate ingredient portions)
1 Spatula (For mixing and folding in chocolate chips)
1 Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon (For evenly portioning the dough)
Baking sheet (Lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup)
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat (To prevent sticking)
Wire Cooling Rack (For even cooling after baking)
Refrigerator (For chilling the dough before baking)
Oven (Preheated to 350°F)
Ingredients
½cupunsalted buttersoftened
½cupgranulated sugar
½cupbrown sugar
1large egg
1tspvanilla extract
1-1/4cupall-purpose flour
⅓cupcocoa powder
½tspbaking soda
¼tspsalt
½cupmini chocolate chips
1cupchocolate hazelnut spread(like Nutella)
½cupM&M candies
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
Fill & Shape the Cookies:
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly.
Add a small dollop (about 1 teaspoon) of chocolate hazelnut spread in the center, then press a few M&M candies on top.
Cover with another small piece of dough, seal the edges, and roll into a smooth ball.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Chill:
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look slightly cracked.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Enjoy!
Serve warm for a gooey, lava-like surprise in the center, or let them cool for a chewier texture.
Notes
Notes:
Chilling the dough is essential for keeping the cookies thick and preventing them from spreading too much.
If you want an extra gooey center, freeze dollops of Nutella for 10 minutes before adding them to the dough.
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Pro tip: Serve them warm and watch that chocolatey center ooze like a well-planned escape. Or, if you’re feeling extra indulgent, pair them with a latte (because, you know, balance).
So tell me, are you team crispy-edge cookie, or do you dive straight for the molten center? Either way, these cookies are a guaranteed win.
Hi! I’m Dorey Duncan Scott, a mother of three, wife and fashion entrepreneur. I started my career in fashion back in the early 90’s when I did print, still and runway modeling. I studied Fashion Merchandising, Music Business and Marketing, while also obtaining certificates in such industry-necessary areas such as make-up, styling and runway choreography. In addition, I had work as a spokesmodel for several brands, appearing in print and in person. As a former model, turned senior litigation paralegal, artist manager and on-air personality with a passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development, I bring a unique combination of style, strategic thinking, and legal expertise to my work. My years navigating the legal world have sharpened my attention to detail, while my experience and passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development drives my desire to help others feel empowered and help them in their journey toward self-empowerment. My experience in the fashion world has taught me the power of confidence.
