Fudgy Nutella Brownies Cookies And Cups

If Nutella isn’t your thing (gasp!) try my most favorite Fudgy Brownies recipe. They are THE BEST!

Irresistibly Fudgy Nutella Brownies

Nutella fans, I’m coming for you! Once again, I’m making a dessert with my favorite hazelnut spread. Add these rich, fudgy, irresistible Nutella brownies to the list with my Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies and Nutella Crunch Cake. AND I’ll fill you in on a little secret…I created this brownie recipe for my book so many years ago and they have taken on a life of their own. They are incredibly delicious and easy to make, and always requested by friends and family!

Irresistibly Fudgy Nutella BrowniesWhat Is Nutella? What You’ll NeedHow to Make Nutella BrowniesTips for SuccessAdd-Ins and Variation IdeasHow to Store Nutella BrowniesCan I Freeze Nutella Brownies? Get the Recipe

Plus, these extra fudgy brownies are swirled with Nutella. You know that creamy, chocolate/hazelnut spread that is generally reserved for the occasional spoonful when the mood hits? But today we’re swirling it into fudgy brownies because more is more, right? They have single-handedly destroyed my willpower to eat just one or two.

What Is Nutella?

I have so many questions for the folks who have never experienced Nutella in their life. But in case you’re one of them, Nutella is “hazelnut cream,” a variation of hazelnut spread with a hint of cocoa. If it’s any indication of how delicious Nutella is, it’s manufactured by Ferrero (yes, of Ferrero Rocher chocolate fame). It’s basically a chocolate bar in a jar, which makes it perfect for brownies.

What You’ll Need

Below are the ingredients you’ll need to make these unbelievably fudgy Nutella brownies. There are only 7! The full amounts and details can be found in the recipe card.

Butter: I prefer to bake with unsalted butter, but salted butter will work too. Simply skip the added salt that comes later in the recipe. Remember to take the butter out of the fridge to let it come to room temperature before you start. Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar has the perfect balance of moisture and sweetness, with a deeper flavor. You can substitute granulated sugar in a pinch. Eggs and Vanilla: Eggs for richness and structure in your brownies, and vanilla to enrich the flavor. Nutella: Our star ingredient. Hazelnut cream brings its signature rich and subtle roasted-nut flavors to the brownies. So good! Flour and Salt: The basics. I always stick with all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt to balance out the fudginess.

You might be looking at the ingredients and thinking, “but where is the cocoa powder?!” I promise you, this isn’t a mistake. All the fudgy, intense cocoa flavor in these Nutella brownies comes from the hazelnut cream all on its own. Trust me, it’s the best!

How to Make Nutella Brownies

I love this recipe because everything comes together in one bowl, for super-easy cleanup. Start by preheating your oven and prepping an 8×8-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper. Now, let’s make some crazy-delicious Nutella brownies!

Combine the Ingredients: Beat together the butter and sugar until they’re light and fluffy, then add in the eggs and vanilla.

Add Nutella: Mix in Nutella and a pinch of salt, continuing to beat until the mixture is fluffy and smooth. Add Flour: Next, slowly incorporate the flour until the batter is just combined. Try not to overmix.

Swirl: Transfer the batter to your prepared baking pan, making sure to spread it out evenly. Now for the fun part! Drop dollops of Nutella all over the top of the batter and, using a butter knife or a skewer, swirl the hazelnut spread around a bit. Bake: Finally, bake the brownies at 350ºF for 30-35 minutes, until they’re set in the middle. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Afterward, lift the brownies out from the pan using the parchment paper, then slice and serve.

My favorite way to serve Nutella brownies is slightly warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzled with Nutella Hot Fudge Sauce. Heaven in dessert form!

Tips for Success

Here are some last-minute tips for the best Nutella brownies:

How to tell when your brownies are done: Stick a toothpick into the brownies about one inch from the edge of the pan. If the toothpick comes out clean, your brownies are ready to come out. Unlike cakes, if you wait until a toothpick stuck into the center of the brownies comes out clean, they’ll be dry and overdone. Line the pan with parchment paper. Not only does this make for even easier cleanup, but it also makes removing the brownies from the pan a breeze. Simply lift them out and place them on the cutting board for slicing. Use a plastic knife. Fudgy brownies have a tendency to stick to metal, so my trick is to use a plastic knife for smoother cuts.

Add-Ins and Variation Ideas

These Nutella brownies are delicious just as they are, but you can always indulge in easy add-in ideas. Here are some fun recipe variations to try:

Nuts: Mix chopped hazelnuts, pecans, or walnuts into the batter for a bit of crunch. Chocolate Chips: Stir in semi-sweet chocolate chips. Chocolate Ganache: Pourable Chocolate Ganache isn’t just for cakes. Drizzle it over these Nutella brownies for an even fudgier flavor. Or, pour over some Nutella Hot Fudge Sauce to really amp things up. Caramel Sauce: Drizzle on some Homemade Caramel Sauce. Sea Salt: If you love a sweet-salty combination, sprinkle flaked sea salt over the tops of the brownies when they’re still a little warm. YUM.

How to Store Nutella Brownies

Store your Nutella brownies airtight on the countertop for up to 5 days.

Can I Freeze Nutella Brownies?

Yes! Once the brownies have cooled, wrap them either together or individually in plastic wrap, plus a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze them for up to 1 month, and thaw the brownies at room temperature before serving.