Cookie Butter Lava Cookies Recipe

I’ve gotta share one of my absolute favorite treats with you — this Cookie Butter Lava Cookies Recipe is truly fan-freaking-tastic. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie that oozes warm, creamy cookie butter right from the center. It’s that magical gooey lava effect but with the cozy, spiced flavor of cookie butter that I can’t get enough of. Trust me, these cookies not only taste incredible, but they’re also surprisingly simple to make, so stick around—I’ll walk you through every single step to get this perfect cookie magic happening in your kitchen.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how these ingredients come together to make a cookie butter dream come true. Each plays a part in creating that tender crumb and luscious creamy center. Plus, if you grab good-quality cookie butter, you’re already halfway there to cookie heaven.

• Butter: I use unsalted so I can control the saltiness, and it adds richness to the dough.
• Cookie Butter: This is the star! The spiced, caramelized flavor is key for the filling and dough.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel note that pairs beautifully with cookie butter.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps with the cookie’s texture and balance of sweetness.
• Egg: Binds everything together and helps keep the cookies soft and chewy.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor with warmth and depth.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough, giving structure to these decadent cookies.
• Cornstarch: This trick ingredient keeps cookies soft and helps that perfect tender bite.
• Baking Soda: For just the right amount of lightness and rise.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Extra Cookie Butter: For drizzling over the top—because why not indulge a little more?

Variations

This Cookie Butter Lava Cookies Recipe is such a flexible canvas. I like to make it my own depending on the season, or who I’m baking for—so don’t hesitate to tweak and tailor it to your taste buds!

• Add Chocolate Chips: I sometimes toss in some semi-sweet or white chocolate chips for an extra gooey chocolatey surprise inside alongside the cookie butter.
• Nutty Twist: Crushed pecans or walnuts folded into the dough add a lovely crunch contrast.
• Spiced Up: Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the dough for a cozy autumn vibe.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend, but be gentle when mixing to keep the soft texture.

How to Make Cookie Butter Lava Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Freeze the Lava Centers

Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop eight small dollops (about half a tablespoon each) of cookie butter spaced out on the sheet. Pop this into the freezer for 15-20 minutes. This little trick creates that molten cookie butter center that oozes out perfectly without melting away completely.

Step 2: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet

While your lava centers are chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick and clean-up is a breeze. Having everything prepped makes it way easier when the dough is ready.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cookie butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy and well combined. You’ll notice this mixture gets aromatic and creamy, which already tells you these cookies are going to be something special.

Step 4: Add in Egg and Vanilla

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix again until everything is smoothly incorporated. This step adds moisture and flavor that makes the cookies so tender.

Step 5: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Then gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix—just enough to bring everything together for a soft cookie dough.

Step 6: Fill the Cookies

Now for the fun part—scoop out large portions of cookie dough (about ¼ cup each). Press your thumb into the center to make a small well, then shove in one of those frozen cookie butter dollops. Fold the dough back over and gently seal the edges so that lava stays right inside.

Step 7: Bake and Finish

Place your packed cookie dough balls on the baking sheet with enough space between each. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes — just long enough that the edges set but the center stays gooey. When they’re out of the oven, let them cool a bit before drizzling melted cookie butter on top and sprinkling with crumbled Biscoff cookies if you have them—it adds that perfect finishing crunch and flourish.

How to Serve Cookie Butter Lava Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a light drizzle of warmed cookie butter on top of each cookie to amp up the flavor and make them look extra tempting. Sometimes I sprinkle crushed Biscoff cookie crumbs or even a pinch of flaky sea salt. The contrast is divine and rounds out all those buttery, caramel notes.

Side Dishes

These cookies are sweet stars on their own, but I often serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a steaming cup of coffee or chai tea to complement their spiced warmth. Fresh fruit makes a nice fresh contrast if you’re looking to balance things out.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange cookies on a pretty platter with doilies and add extra drizzles of cookie butter and a dusting of powdered sugar. Another fun trick is serving warm cookies in mini cast iron skillets—guaranteed to wow your guests with the lava ooze action and cozy vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay soft because of the cornstarch but if you live somewhere humid, consider the fridge (just bring them back to room temp before eating).

Freezing

Freezing these cookies works wonderfully if you want to prep in advance. Just wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes for the best gooey texture.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in a low oven (about 300°F for 5-7 minutes) or quickly in a microwave for 15-20 seconds to revive that fresh-baked flair. Just avoid overheating or you’ll lose the luscious lava center.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Cookie Butter Lava Cookies Recipe never fails to impress—and it always brings a smile at my kitchen table. The gooey, aromatic cookie butter center paired with the soft, flavorful dough really feels like a cozy hug in cookie form. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just indulging yourself, this recipe is easy enough to whip up on a whim and delicious enough to become a new classic. Seriously, give it a try; your cookie game will thank you!

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