Nutella Brownies

I don't know about you, but I am absolutely obsessed with all things Nutella. So naturally I've tested a lot of variations of Nutella brownies over the years, and while most of them taste fantastic, I found they usually fell short of actual Nutella flavor. When Nutella is baked into a brownie, the flavor gets seriously muted, and you end up with what tastes like a normal chocolate fudge brownie.

My solution? Topping the perfect fudge brownies with a hefty portion of delectable Nutella buttercream frosting. This way the Nutella flavor really shines through and it also adds an amazing creamy texture that just melts in your mouth. These Nutella Brownies are a must-try for Nutella lovers!!

If you love brownies, try my other recipe for Creme Brûlée Brownies!

Key Ingredients

• Nutella - or any other brand of chocolate hazelnut spread. We use Nutella in the brownie batter and in the frosting, so make sure you have at LEAST 1 ¼ cups
• Chocolate - I use a combination of bittersweet and milk chocolate for a flavor balance that I think compliments the intensity of the Nutella, but you can use whatever chocolate you have on hand (6 oz. total). Use all bittersweet if you love dark chocolate, or you can use semisweet chocolate chocolate chips.

Variations on Frosted Nutella Brownies

These brownies taste great even without the frosting! So if you prefer, you can make the brownies and ignore the frosting portion of the recipe.

Or, you can top these brownies with any kind of frosting! Try using a vanilla-hazelnut buttercream to really bring out the hazelnut flavor of the Nutella.

Key Equipment

Here's the equipment you'll need to make these strawberry dessert bars:

• 8x8 baking dish - this is the one I use.
• Microwave (optional) - I use my microwave to melt the chocolate, but if you don't have one, no problem! You can use a double boiler setup instead, which I'll explain in the techniques section below.
• Stand mixer with paddle attachment (optional) - this is what I use to make the frosting, but if you don't have one, you can mix by hand or use a handheld electric mixer.

How to Store Nutella Brownies

These will be fine at room temp. for a couple of days, or you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Although, I doubt they'll last that long without anyone eating them!

Related Techniques - Nutella Brownies

Melting Chocolate

Method 1: Microwave

Chop chocolate into small pieces (if using bars instead of chips). Place into a microwave safe bowl, and microwave on high power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each interval. Repeat until chocolate is fully melted and smooth.

Method 2: Double Boiler

To make your own double boiler setup, you will need a heatproof metal or glass mixing bowl and a small pot. Something like this insert with a handle works perfectly! But you can also use a regular bowl. You want the bowl to sit on top of the pot so that it dips into the pot slightly but is a few inches away from touching the bottom.

Fill the saucepan with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat-- it should start to create steam and bubbles but should not be at a full boil. Then, place the chopped chocolate into the bowl and place the bowl on top of the simmering water. Make sure it's not actually touching the water. If it is, you can dump some of the water out, get a larger bowl.

Top tips

• Don't overcook the brownies! It's better to take them out when they are slightly underdone so they remain fudgy after they cool.
• To get clean brownie slices, use a sharp slicing knife and wipe it off with a slightly damp towel in between each cut. This is not necessary but will make them look more professional, if that's what you're going for.

📖 Recipe

Nutella Brownies

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

These Nutella Brownies don't skimp on the Nutella flavor! While these brownies are delicious on their own, the flavor of Nutella gets slightly muted when it's baked. So we went ahead and topped these brownies with an addicting Nutella buttercream that's bursting with that creamy chocolate hazelnut flavor. 

• Author: Kelly @ Butter and Thyme
• Prep Time: 15 min.
• Cook Time: 30 min.
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 brownies 1x
• Category: dessert

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

BROWNIES

• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 oz. milk chocolate, chopped
• 6 oz. unsalted butter, cubed
• ¾ cup Nutella
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup flour

NUTELLA FROSTING

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ⅓ cup Nutella
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• pinch salt

Instructions

1. Make brownies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 baking dish with aluminum foil and spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Melt the chocolate together in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring every 30 seconds, until almost melted. Add butter and microwave another 30 seconds, and stir until completely melted. Stir in Nutella, and let cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until frothy and well combined.
4. Add the vanilla and salt. Then, slowly incorporate the cooled chocolate mixture. Stir in the flour by hand.
5. Bake brownies for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Make frosting: in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth. Add other ingredients and beat until smooth.
7. Let brownies cool completely before frosting and slicing.

Notes

• Don't overcook the brownies! It's better to take them out when they are slightly underdone so they remain fudgy after they cool.
• I like using a combination of milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate for a flavor intensity that compliments the Nutella. But you can substitute all bittersweet, semisweet, or whatever you have on hand.

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