Irresistibly Fudgy Nutella Brownies: The Ultimate Chocolate Hazelnut Dessert Recipe
Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting the most delectable, fudgy Nutella brownies you’ve ever tasted! If you’re a true chocolate enthusiast, prepare for an absolute dream come true. This recipe isn’t just about combining two beloved treats; it’s about elevating them into a symphony of rich, chocolatey goodness with that unmistakable hazelnut swirl. Forget dry, cakey brownies – we’re diving deep into the world of intensely fudgy, chewy, and utterly irresistible homemade perfection.
Brownies have long held a special place in my heart, a nostalgic comfort I’ve perfected over years, often making the same classic homemade brownie recipe almost every weekend. And then there’s Nutella – a delightful, downright addicting hazelnut cocoa spread that needs no introduction. Its creamy, nutty, and sweet profile is simply irresistible, whether eaten by the spoonful or incorporated into desserts. Did you know you can even make your own Homemade Nutella with just a few simple ingredients? Combining these two culinary loves was destined to create something truly magical, and these Nutella brownies deliver on that promise and more.
Why These Nutella Brownies Stand Out
Many Nutella brownie recipes exist, but this one is truly special. It’s a full-on homemade brownie experience, designed to be beyond fudgy and incredibly rich. While I’ve enjoyed simpler recipes like Nutella brownie cups with just four ingredients, they don’t quite capture the profound chewiness and deep chocolate satisfaction that a proper fudgy brownie provides. This recipe, however, achieves that perfect balance of dense, moist, and gooey texture that brownie aficionados crave.
The secret to their exceptional fudginess lies in a precise blend of ingredients and baking techniques. We’re not just adding Nutella; we’re crafting a brownie base that is inherently fudgy, then infusing it with the luxurious hazelnut spread. The flavor of Nutella truly shines through, complementing the robust chocolate notes without overpowering them. With not one, not two, but three kinds of chocolate generously folded into the batter, these brownies are an absolute powerhouse of flavor and texture. If you appreciate chocolate even a little, you owe it to yourself to try these. They are, in essence, the epitome of a chocolate lover’s ultimate brownie.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Nutella Brownies
Creating these heavenly Nutella brownies requires a straightforward list of ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The beauty of this recipe is that it doesn’t even require a stand mixer; a couple of bowls and a whisk are all you need to bring this delightful dessert to life. The careful selection and combination of these ingredients are key to achieving that signature fudgy texture and intense chocolate-hazelnut flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: The foundation of rich, moist brownies. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the total salt content in the recipe.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: A combination of both sugars ensures a perfectly balanced sweetness, contributing to both fudginess and a desirable chewiness. Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note.
- Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness, binding the ingredients together for that dense, chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that complements the chocolate and hazelnut, adding depth and warmth.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just enough to bind the batter without making the brownies cakey. Careful measuring is essential here.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The primary source of the deep, rich chocolate flavor. High-quality cocoa powder makes a noticeable difference.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and amplifies all the other flavors, particularly the chocolate.
- Baking Powder: A tiny bit provides just enough lift for a slightly chewy edge without making the brownies fluffy.
- Nutella: The star ingredient, offering its signature hazelnut cocoa creaminess and contributing to the overall fudginess.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These are the third kind of chocolate (after cocoa powder and Nutella) and melt into gooey pockets, adding another layer of rich chocolate indulgence.
- Powdered Sugar for Dusting (Optional): For a beautiful presentation and an extra touch of sweetness.
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make The Best Fudgy Nutella Brownies
Follow these easy steps to create a batch of these extraordinary Nutella brownies. Precision and care, especially in mixing, are your best friends here!
- Prepare Your Pan: First, preheat your oven to 350º F (175º C). Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the brownies out later. Lightly spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures clean cuts.
- Melt the Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl or a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, set it aside to cool slightly for just a minute or two. This prevents the eggs from cooking when added to the mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder until well combined. Setting this aside ensures all leavening and flavor agents are evenly distributed before adding to the wet ingredients.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the slightly cooled melted butter with both the granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Mix until smooth. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, incorporating each egg fully before adding the next. This can be done effectively with a sturdy spatula or a whisk; no need for an electric mixer here. Stir in the vanilla extract until everything is perfectly combined and glossy.
- Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until the flour is just incorporated. Be very careful not to overmix at this stage; overmixing develops gluten, which leads to tough, cakey brownies rather than fudgy ones. Stop mixing as soon as you no longer see streaks of dry flour.
- Prepare the Nutella: Briefly microwave the Nutella for 20-30 seconds until it becomes slightly runny and easier to swirl into the batter. This step makes integration much smoother.
- Fold in Nutella & Chocolate Chips: Add the warmed Nutella and semi-sweet chocolate chips to the brownie batter. Gently fold them in until they are evenly distributed, creating beautiful streaks of hazelnut heaven throughout.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the luscious batter into your prepared baking pan. Spread it evenly. Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges appear set and slightly cracked, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Remember, it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake for maximum fudginess!
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling is vital for achieving the correct fudgy texture and clean cuts. Once entirely cool, lift them out using the parchment paper overhang. If desired, dust with powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant finish.
Pro Tips for the Ultimate Fudgy Nutella Brownies
Achieving the perfect fudgy brownie texture is an art, but these tips will guide you to consistent success:
- The Golden Rule: Do Not Overbake! This is perhaps the most critical advice for any brownie recipe. Overbaking is the quickest way to turn a potentially fudgy brownie into a dry, cakey disappointment. Start checking your brownies early, around the 28-minute mark. Look for edges that are set and slightly cracked, and a center that still looks a bit soft. Insert a toothpick into the center: it should come out with moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter. If the toothpick comes out completely clean and dry, they are already overdone. Remember, brownies continue to cook from residual heat after being removed from the oven, so aiming for slightly underdone is always preferable to overdone.
- The Second Golden Rule: Avoid Overmixing! Once you add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix just until the dry ingredients are barely combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, chewier (but not in a good way) and less fudgy brownie. A gentle hand and a spatula or whisk are perfect for this step. As soon as you no longer see dry streaks of flour, stop mixing and then fold in the Nutella and chocolate chips.
- Cooling is Crucial: Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to brownies. Allowing your brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack is absolutely essential. This allows them to set properly, intensify their fudgy texture, and makes them much easier to cut into neat squares. Cutting warm brownies often results in a crumbly, messy affair. For best results, chill them in the refrigerator for an hour or two before cutting.
- Perfect Pan Preparation: Always line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. This creates “handles” that make lifting the entire slab of cooled brownies out of the pan a breeze. Spraying the parchment paper with a little non-stick spray ensures absolutely no sticking.
- Warming the Nutella: Microwaving the Nutella for a short burst (20-30 seconds) makes it slightly more liquid. This isn’t just for ease of mixing; it helps it distribute more smoothly throughout the batter, creating those delightful swirls and pockets of hazelnut flavor without adding too much extra liquid to the batter.
- Ingredient Temperature Matters (for some): While the butter should be cooled slightly after melting, ensure your eggs are at room temperature. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the sugars and fats, leading to a smoother batter and a more even bake.
- Dusting with Powdered Sugar: If you plan to dust your brownies with powdered sugar for a pretty finish, wait until they are completely cooled. If dusted while warm, the sugar will simply melt and absorb into the surface, disappearing entirely.
Serving Suggestions and Storage
These fudgy Nutella brownies are phenomenal on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce. They are perfect for sharing at parties, packing into lunchboxes, or simply enjoying as an indulgent evening treat.
To keep your brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. If you prefer a firmer, chewier brownie, you can store them in the refrigerator. They also freeze beautifully! Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave for a few seconds when a craving strikes.
More Must-Make Dessert Recipes to Savor
If you’ve fallen in love with these Nutella brownies, you’re sure to enjoy these other delightful dessert recipes:
- Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
- Chocolate Pavlova
- Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cosmic Brownie Cookies
- Ding Dong Cake
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Fudgy Nutella Brownies
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 whole large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup Nutella
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350º F. Prepare a 13×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, sprayed with non-stick spray.
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Melt butter, and allow to cool slightly.
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In a bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
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In a large bowl combine butter with sugar and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Mix in vanilla extract.
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Gradually stir in the flour mixture.
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Microwave Nutella for 20-30 seconds, until it is slightly runny.
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Add Nutella and chocolate chips to batter, stirring to combine.
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Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a tester comes out mostly clean. Be careful not to over bake.
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Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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