Welcome, fellow dessert lovers! Are you ready to dive into a world of rich, chocolatey, and utterly fudgy goodness? If you’re anything like us, the mere mention of brownies brings a smile to your face. But not just any brownies—we’re talking about brownies elevated to a whole new level with the magic of Nutella. Prepare yourselves, because this Nutella brownies recipe is about to become your new go-to for a truly decadent treat that’s surprisingly simple to make.
Imagine biting into a brownie that’s perfectly crisp on the outside, incredibly moist and gooey on the inside, with that unmistakable hazelnut-chocolate swirl. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe is designed to guide you to brownie perfection. So, grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s make some unforgettable fudgy Nutella brownies!
A Sweet History of Brownies and Nutella
Before we get our hands sticky with batter, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. Brownies, those beloved chocolate squares, have a charmingly mysterious origin. Legend has it they were first created in the late 19th century in the United States, possibly by accident! One popular story credits a chef at Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel who was asked to create a cake-like dessert for ladies attending the World’s Columbian Exposition that could be eaten from boxed lunches. Whatever their true beginning, brownies quickly became an American classic, evolving from cakey versions to the fudgy delights we crave today.
Nutella, our star ingredient, has an equally fascinating story. It was invented in the 1940s by Pietro Ferrero, a pastry maker in Piedmont, Italy, during a time when cocoa was scarce due to wartime rationing. He created a sweet paste from hazelnuts, sugar, and a little bit of cocoa, originally called ‘Giandujot’. It was so popular that it was later reformulated into the creamy spread we know and love as Nutella in 1964. The combination of these two culinary legends – the humble brownie and the irresistible hazelnut spread – creates a dessert that’s truly a match made in heaven.
Why You Will Love These Nutella Brownies
We could go on and on about why these Nutella brownies are utterly fantastic, but to keep it simple, here are the top reasons you’ll fall head over heels for this recipe:
- Incredibly Fudgy Texture You won’t find any dry, cakey brownies here! This recipe delivers that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth fudginess every single time.
- Rich Nutella Flavor The hazelnut-chocolate goodness of Nutella is infused throughout the brownies, with extra swirls for an intense flavor burst.
- Beginner-Friendly Steps We’ve broken down each step to be super easy to follow, making this a perfect recipe for new bakers.
- Simple Ingredients You likely have most of the ingredients in your pantry already, making this a convenient treat to whip up.
- Crowd-Pleasing Dessert These brownies are guaranteed to be a hit at parties, potlucks, or simply as a special family treat. Everyone loves Nutella!
- Perfectly Balanced Sweetness Sweet without being cloying, these brownies satisfy your deepest chocolate cravings.
Ingredient Notes for Perfect Brownies
Every great recipe starts with great ingredients. Here’s a quick guide to what you’ll need and why each one is important for achieving the best fudgy Nutella brownies:
- Unsalted Butter Using unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe. Melted butter contributes to that desired fudgy texture.
- Granulated Sugar This provides sweetness and helps create that wonderful crackly top crust that all good brownies should have.
- Large Eggs Eggs are crucial for structure and richness. Make sure they are at room temperature for better emulsification with the other ingredients.
- Vanilla Extract A touch of vanilla enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a warm, aromatic depth.
- All-Purpose Flour Don’t overdo it! Too much flour can make your brownies dry and cakey. We use just enough to bind everything together for a fudgy result.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder This is where the deep chocolate flavor comes from. Use a good quality cocoa powder for the best taste.
- Salt A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate flavor, making it even more pronounced.
- Nutella The star of the show! Use your favorite brand of hazelnut spread. We’ll use it in the batter and for those irresistible swirls on top.
Essential Equipment You Will Need
Good news! You don’t need any fancy gadgets to make these brownies. Just a few basic kitchen tools will do the trick:
- 9×13 Inch Baking Pan A standard metal baking pan is ideal for even baking. If you use a glass pan, you might need to adjust baking time slightly.
- Large Mixing Bowls You’ll need at least two—one for wet ingredients and one for dry.
- Whisk or Spatula For mixing the batter. A whisk helps ensure everything is well combined without overmixing.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons Accuracy is key in baking, so make sure you have these handy.
- Parchment Paper Highly recommended for easy removal and cleanup.
Full Recipe Card for Fudgy Nutella Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Nutella, plus ¼ cup extra for swirling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pan Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the brownies out later. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
- Melt the Butter In a large mixing bowl, melt the unsalted butter. You can do this in the microwave in 30-second intervals or on the stovetop over low heat.
- Combine Wet Ingredients Add the granulated sugar to the melted butter and whisk until well combined and smooth. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should be glossy and slightly thickened.
- Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing with a spatula or whisk until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay.
- Fold in Nutella Gently fold in 1 cup of Nutella into the batter until just incorporated.
- Pour and Swirl Pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. If using extra Nutella for swirling, dollop small spoonfuls of the remaining ¼ cup Nutella over the top of the batter. Use a knife or a skewer to gently swirl the Nutella into the brownie batter.
- Bake to Perfection Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. The edges should be set, but the center should still look slightly soft. Remember, fudgy brownies are often slightly underbaked!
- Cool Completely This is crucial! Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Cooling allows them to set properly and become perfectly fudgy.
Recipe Notes
- Prep time 15 minutes
- Cook time 25-30 minutes
- Yield 12-16 brownies
Tips and Variations for Your Brownies
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, feel free to get creative! Here are some ideas to customize your Nutella brownies:
- Add Chocolate Chips Fold in a cup of semi-sweet, milk, or white chocolate chips with the Nutella for an extra chocolate boost.
- Nutty Crunch Add ½ cup of chopped toasted hazelnuts, walnuts, or pecans to the batter for a delightful crunch.
- Espresso Kick Dissolve 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder in 1 tablespoon of hot water and add it with the vanilla extract to deepen the chocolate flavor.
- Salted Caramel Swirl Drizzle some salted caramel sauce over the Nutella swirls before baking for an even more decadent treat.
- Cream Cheese Swirl For a tangy contrast, swirl in a softened cream cheese mixture (cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk) alongside the Nutella.
Pro Chef Tips for the Best Brownies
Want to bake brownies like a pro? These tips will help you achieve perfection every time:
- Do Not Overmix Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, cakey brownie instead of a fudgy one. Mix until just combined.
- Do Not Overbake This is the golden rule for fudgy brownies! A slightly underbaked brownie is a fudgy brownie. The center should still be a little jiggly when you take it out of the oven, and a toothpick should come out with moist crumbs, not liquid batter.
- Cool Completely Resist the urge to cut into warm brownies! Cooling allows them to set properly, intensify their flavor, and achieve that perfect fudgy texture. Warm brownies will crumble and be difficult to cut cleanly.
- Room Temperature Eggs Using room temperature eggs helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter, creating a more uniform and emulsified mixture.
- Use Quality Ingredients Especially for cocoa powder and Nutella, better quality ingredients will genuinely shine through in the final taste.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Baking Brownies
Even experienced bakers can make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:
- Overbaking As mentioned, this is the number one culprit for dry, cakey brownies. Keep a close eye on your oven and rely on the toothpick test.
- Overmixing the Batter Mixing too vigorously or for too long develops gluten, which makes brownies tough. Mix until just combined.
- Not Lining the Pan Skipping parchment paper can make removing the brownies a messy nightmare. Always line your pan!
- Cutting While Warm Impatience can lead to crumbly, misshapen brownies. Let them cool completely for clean, perfect squares.
- Incorrect Pan Size Using a pan that’s too small will result in thick brownies that might be undercooked in the middle, while a too-large pan will give you thin, potentially dry brownies. Stick to the 9×13 inch pan.
Storage and Meal Prep for Brownie Goodness
Once your delicious Nutella brownies are cooled and cut, you’ll want to store them properly to maintain their freshness:
- Room Temperature Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. This helps keep them moist and fudgy.
- Refrigeration (Optional)Â If you prefer a firmer brownie, or if your kitchen is particularly warm, you can store them in the refrigerator. Just bring them back to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Notes
These Nutella brownies are excellent for making ahead, perfect for parties or when a sudden craving strikes:
- Make-Ahead You can bake these brownies a day or two in advance. Store them as directed, and they’ll be just as delicious, if not more so, as the flavors meld.
- Freezing Baked Brownies Fully cooled brownies can be frozen for longer storage. Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave for a few seconds.
Serving Suggestions for Any Occasion
While these Nutella brownies are absolutely divine on their own, a few additions can turn them into an even more spectacular dessert:
- With Vanilla Ice Cream A warm brownie with a scoop of cold vanilla bean ice cream is a classic pairing that never disappoints.
- A Dollop of Whipped Cream Lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a lovely contrast to the richness of the brownies.
- Fresh Berries Raspberries or strawberries cut through the richness with their tart sweetness, adding a fresh element.
- A Sprinkle of Sea Salt A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top before serving enhances the chocolate flavor beautifully.
- Glass of Milk Sometimes, the simplest accompaniments are the best. A cold glass of milk is the perfect companion to a warm, fudgy brownie.
