A dual core exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes a cooler housing having an EGR inlet, first and second EGR outlets, a cooling circuit extending from a coolant inlet through the cooler housing to a coolant outlet, a first EGR circuit core extending from the EGR inlet to the first EGR outlet, and a second EGR circuit core extending to the second EGR outlet from the EGR inlet or the first EGR outlet. A first EGR valve is configured to selectively couple the first EGR circuit core to a return passageway. A second EGR valve is configured to selectively couple the second EGR circuit core to the return passageway. The EGR valves are configured to selectively flow exhaust gas through the cooler housing within either the first EGR circuit core only or within both the first EGR circuit core and the second EGR circuit core.