Indulge in the ultimate fudgy treat! These Nutella Brownies are generously swirled with creamy chocolate hazelnut spread and crowned with crunchy nuts. Crafted from scratch, they offer a rich, decadent, and utterly irresistible dessert experience.
Prepare yourself for a truly remarkable dessert experience with these homemade Nutella Brownies! This recipe creates a treat so delightful, it’s often devoured in mere seconds. Each bite delivers an exquisite harmony of flavors and textures: a deep, fudgy chocolate brownie base, beautiful swirls of rich chocolate hazelnut spread, and the satisfying crunch of roasted hazelnuts scattered generously on top. The iconic, irresistible Nutella flavor isn’t just an addition here; it truly shines as the undisputed star of this decadent recipe, making these brownies a must-try for any sweet tooth.
These loaded brownies are an absolute dream for anyone who adores Nutella. Their intense chocolate-hazelnut profile makes them a perfect centerpiece for gatherings, a comforting treat for a cozy evening, or an impressive homemade gift. If you’re a fan of creating delightful desserts with this beloved spread, you’ll also adore our Nutella Cookies, the simple yet elegant Easy Twisted Nutella Danish Recipe, and our whimsical Nutella Mousse Cookie Cups.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Nutella Brownie Recipe
- Unforgettable Nutella Swirls: The secret to truly perfect Nutella brownies lies in a technique that avoids overloading the batter. Instead, generous dollops of Nutella are artfully swirled on top before baking, creating pockets of warm, gooey hazelnut goodness that elevate every single bite. This ensures the Nutella flavor remains vibrant and distinct, rather than getting lost in the chocolate base.
- Perfectly Balanced Sweetness & Rich Flavor: Our recipe is meticulously crafted to offer a delightful balance of sweetness. Nutella itself contributes a significant amount of sugar, so we’ve adjusted the overall sugar content to prevent it from becoming cloyingly sweet. This allows the deep, rich chocolate and authentic hazelnut flavors to truly shine, delivering an indulgent experience without being overwhelming.
- Irresistible Crunchy Texture: The addition of crunchy roasted hazelnuts on top isn’t just for decoration; it provides a fantastic textural contrast to the soft, fudgy brownie. These nuts amplify the natural hazelnut essence already present in Nutella, adding an extra layer of flavor and a satisfying bite that makes these brownies even more delicious and addictive.
- Effortless From-Scratch Baking: Forget about box mixes! This recipe guides you through making rich, fudgy brownies entirely from scratch with surprisingly simple steps. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to achieve bakery-quality results in your own kitchen.
- Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re baking for a family dessert, a party, a potluck, or just a personal treat, these Nutella brownies are guaranteed to be a hit. Their universal appeal and delightful flavor make them suitable for any occasion, ensuring smiles all around.
Essential Ingredients for Your Fudgy Nutella Brownies
Crafting the perfect Nutella brownies begins with understanding your ingredients. Below is a detailed overview of what you’ll need and why each component is crucial. For precise quantities, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card at the bottom of this article.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of our brownie structure. For the best results, always measure your flour correctly, preferably using a kitchen scale for accuracy, or the “spoon and level” method to avoid compacting it. Over-measured flour can lead to dry, cakey brownies.
- Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: My top recommendation for these brownies is Dutch-process cocoa powder. It provides a darker color and a smoother, less acidic chocolate flavor, complementing the Nutella beautifully. If you only have regular unsweetened cocoa powder, that will also work, but the flavor profile will be slightly different. Remember to sift your cocoa powder before adding it to prevent lumps and ensure a silky-smooth batter.
- Large Eggs: You’ll need two large eggs, and it’s essential that they are at room temperature. Room temperature eggs emulsify more effectively with the other ingredients, leading to a smoother batter and a more even, tender crumb in your finished brownies.
- Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: This is the star ingredient! Ensure your Nutella is at room temperature for easy mixing and swirling. Its creamy texture and distinctive hazelnut-chocolate flavor are unparalleled. While other chocolate hazelnut spreads exist, this recipe has been specifically developed and tested with classic Nutella, so I highly recommend sticking to it for the best and most consistent results.
- Brown Sugar: We opt for brown sugar over white granulated sugar in this recipe because it contributes more than just sweetness. Brown sugar adds a wonderful depth of flavor with subtle caramel notes, enhancing the overall richness of the brownies. Its moisture content also helps create that desirable fudgy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A good quality vanilla extract is crucial for rounding out the flavors. It enhances the chocolate and hazelnut notes, adding a layer of warmth and complexity. You can also use vanilla sugar if you prefer, adjusting the overall sugar content slightly.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter for baking is always recommended as it gives you complete control over the salt content in your recipe. If salted butter is all you have on hand, simply omit the additional salt called for in the recipe to avoid overly salty brownies. Make sure the butter is melted and then cooled slightly before incorporating it into the batter.
- Hazelnuts: Since Nutella is fundamentally a hazelnut spread, adding roughly chopped hazelnuts is a brilliant way to intensify the natural hazelnut flavor and provide a fantastic textural element. They contribute a delightful crunch and a deeper nutty aroma. If you don’t have hazelnuts or prefer a smoother brownie, you can certainly omit them without compromising the base recipe. Consider lightly toasting them before chopping for an even richer flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Perfect Nutella Brownies
Detailed measurements and precise instructions are conveniently located at the bottom of this page on the printable recipe card. This simple, from-scratch recipe is so easy to follow, you’ll never reach for a brownie box mix again!
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring that the paper extends over the sides of the pan. This simple step creates convenient “handles” that will make it incredibly easy to lift the baked brownies out of the pan once they’ve cooled. Set the prepared pan aside.
Step 2: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. In a separate, larger bowl (ideally a stand mixer bowl, or use a hand mixer), combine the room temperature eggs, 1 cup of Nutella, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat these wet ingredients together for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture is beautifully smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Incorporate Flour and Butter. With your mixer running on a low speed, gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the melted and cooled unsalted butter. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing just until everything is combined and no streaks of flour remain. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to tough brownies. Finally, gently fold in two-thirds of your roughly chopped hazelnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
Step 4: Swirl and Bake. Pour the prepared brownie batter evenly into your parchment-lined baking pan. Now, take the remaining Nutella (approximately ⅓ cup) and drop it by the tablespoonful directly onto the surface of the batter. Using a knife or a skewer, gently swirl the Nutella into the batter. The goal is to create beautiful, distinct streaks and pockets of Nutella, not to completely mix it in. Finally, sprinkle the remaining chopped hazelnuts over the top of the swirled batter, pressing them down ever so slightly. Bake the brownies in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.
Expert Tips for the Best Nutella Brownies
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For optimal results, ensure your eggs and Nutella are at room temperature. This allows them to blend smoothly and evenly into the batter, preventing curdling and promoting a uniform texture in the finished brownies. Remember, Nutella should always be stored at room temperature; refrigerating it will cause it to harden and become difficult to work with.
- Cool Down Melted Butter: After melting your butter, let it cool for about 10 minutes before adding it to the batter. Hot butter can accidentally cook your eggs, leading to a less desirable texture.
- The Art of the Swirl: When swirling the Nutella into the batter just before baking, do so lightly and with purpose. You want distinct ribbons and pools of Nutella, not a fully integrated mixture. This technique ensures bursts of intense Nutella flavor throughout the brownie.
- Preparing Hazelnuts: For the best texture and flavor, roughly chop your hazelnuts. You can do this with a sharp knife or by pulsing them a few times in a food processor. Aim for coarse pieces, not a fine powder, to ensure a satisfying crunch. Lightly toasting them before chopping can also enhance their nutty aroma.
- Alternating Ingredients for Smooth Mixing: The method of alternating the addition of flour and butter to your wet ingredients (starting and ending with flour) helps to create a smooth, emulsified batter. This technique makes it easier for the fat to be fully incorporated, resulting in a perfectly blended and cohesive brownie base.
- Avoid Over-Baking: This is paramount for fudgy brownies! Over-baking is the quickest way to end up with dry, cakey brownies. Start testing for doneness around the 30-minute mark. Insert a toothpick or skewer into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, but not wet batter. Keep in mind that brownies tend to cook slightly faster in metal pans compared to glass pans.
- Mind the Sweetness: Nutella itself is quite sweet. This recipe accounts for that by using a slightly lower amount of additional sugar compared to many traditional brownie recipes. Adding too much sugar would overpower the delicate hazelnut flavor, so trust the proportions to achieve that perfect balance.
Nutella Brownie Recipe FAQs
Achieving the perfect baking time is crucial for fudgy brownies. Underbaked brownies can be overly gooey, while overbaked ones become dry and cakey. Since every oven varies, it’s best to begin checking for doneness around 20-25 minutes into the baking process. Insert a toothpick or a thin skewer into the center of the brownies. If it comes out with wet batter, continue baking for another 5 to 10 minutes and test again. Always err on the side of slightly underbaked for a truly fudgy center.
Brownies are perfectly done when a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs still clinging to it, but no raw batter. The edges should be set, and the center might still look slightly soft, but it will firm up as it cools. Remember, it’s always better to remove brownies from the oven a minute or two early rather than leaving them in too long to ensure that prized fudgy texture.
Absolutely! Nutella is a fantastic ingredient for baking, adding a rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor to a variety of desserts. For brownies, I highly recommend swirling it into the batter rather than fully mixing it in. This technique creates distinct pockets of creamy Nutella, offering a delightful texture contrast and ensuring its iconic flavor truly stands out in every bite.
Serving Suggestions for Your Decadent Nutella Brownies
While these Nutella brownies are utterly divine on their own, a few simple additions can elevate them to an even more luxurious dessert. For the ultimate indulgence, serve a warm brownie with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The cool, melting ice cream against the rich, warm brownie is a classic pairing that never disappoints. Alternatively, a dollop of homemade whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast that balances the richness beautifully. A sprinkle of extra chopped hazelnuts or a drizzle of chocolate syrup can also add a delightful finishing touch.
Storing Your Nutella Brownies for Lasting Freshness
To keep your delicious Nutella brownies fresh and fudgy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their excellent quality for up to 4 days. For longer storage, Nutella brownies freeze exceptionally well! Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw the frozen brownies overnight in the refrigerator, then allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
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Nutella Brownies
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp Dutch-process cocoa powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 ⅓ cup Nutella, divided, room temperature
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ½ cup hazelnuts, roughly chopped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, letting the paper hang over the sides. Set aside.
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In a bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, combine eggs, 1 cup Nutella, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat for about 2 minutes until smooth.
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With the mixer running on low speed, add the flour mixture alternating with the melted butter. Stir in 2/3 of the chopped hazelnuts.
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Spread batter into the pan, then drop remaining Nutella by the tablespoon onto the batter and use a knife to swirl it into the batter. Sprinkle remaining hazelnuts over the brownies and slightly press them into the batter.
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Bake in the middle of the oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached.
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Set baking pan on a cooling rack and let brownies cool in the pan to room temperature. Then lift out the brownies using the parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into squares.
Notes
- For comprehensive details and additional advice, refer to the “Expert Tips” section above.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 46g |
Protein: 5g |
Fat: 28g |
Saturated Fat: 19g |
Cholesterol: 63mg |
Sodium: 101mg |
Potassium: 286mg |
Fiber: 3g |
Sugar: 36g |
Vitamin A: 370IU |
Vitamin C: 0.4mg |
Calcium: 80mg |
Iron: 2.9mg
This recipe was originally published in 2019 and has been thoroughly updated in 2023 with fresh images, expanded content, and additional helpful tips to ensure your baking success.