Ingredients

• ½ cup hot fudge topping
• 1 Tbs hot fudge topping
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup white sugar
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 (12 oz) pkg semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

• Step 1
  Line a small, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1/4-ounce (1/2 tablespoon) cookie scoop, portion hot fudge into 18 balls; place on prepared baking sheet. Freeze, uncovered, until firm, at least 30 minutes, up to 12 hours.

• Step 2
  Meanwhile, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.

• Step 3
  Beat together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. With mixer on low, add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined after each addition. Beat in vanilla until just combined. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture, beating until just combined. Gently fold in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.

• Step 4
  Cover cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.

• Step 5
  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 3 large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

• Step 6
  Using a 1-ounce (2 tablespoon) cookie scoop, portion 1 scoop of chilled cookie dough, and place in the palm of a floured hand. Using a floured thumb, gently create a cavity in the center of the cookie dough. Place 1 frozen fudge ball in center cavity; scoop an additional cookie dough portion, and place on top of fudge ball, wrapping excess dough around fudge ball and rolling in hands to seal.

• Step 7
  Place on a prepared baking sheet; repeat process with remaining dough and fudge balls, placing 4 inches apart on prepared baking sheets (6 per sheet).

• Step 8
  Refrigerate, uncovered, until firm, at least 30 minutes, up to 12 hours.

• Step 9
  Bake one baking sheet at a time in the preheated oven, until golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Serve warm or transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely, about 30 minutes more. Repeat with remaining stuffed cookie dough balls.

Cook’s Notes:

Don’t skip the chilling times! You really do need to give the cookie dough time to firm up slightly before attempting to flatten and roll.

Tips

Don’t be alarmed by the fudgy bottom – some of your cookies will likely have a little bit of a sticky bottom; ensuring to fully cover the fudge ball with enough cookie dough is key!