Irresistible Fudgy Nutella Swirl Brownies with Toasted Hazelnuts
Prepare yourself for a truly decadent treat: these fudgy brownies are generously studded with crunchy hazelnuts and elegantly topped with a rich, creamy Nutella swirl! This isn’t just a brownie; it’s an experience, a harmonious blend of deep chocolate, nutty crunch, and the beloved hazelnut spread that will leave you craving more.
My Journey into the Wonderful World of Nutella
I distinctly remember the moment Nutella entered my life. It was during a transformative summer in London while I was in college, studying abroad. Beyond discovering delightful British treats like the malty crunch of Hob Nobs and the bubbly texture of Aero bars, I found myself utterly smitten with a simple pleasure: toast slathered with Nutella. It wasn’t that this glorious chocolate hazelnut spread was unavailable back home; I was simply, and blissfully, unaware of its existence before that summer. What a revelation it was!
Fast forward to today, and my relationship with Nutella is anything but oblivious. In fact, it’s a staple in my pantry, always on hand for those moments when a sweet craving strikes. While a classic Nutella-on-toast still holds a special place in my heart, I’ve since expanded my culinary horizons, incorporating this magical spread into a myriad of baked goods and desserts. From playful Nutella Rice Krispie Treats and elegant Nutella Truffles to rich Chocolate Cupcakes with Nutella Buttercream and irresistible Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies, my journey with Nutella continues. And now, I’m thrilled to share one of my absolute favorite creations: these incredibly rich, fudgy brownies, generously swirled with Nutella and bursting with the earthy crunch of toasted hazelnuts.
The Magic of Fudgy Brownies and Hazelnuts
There’s a reason brownies are a universally loved dessert. That perfect balance of dense, chocolatey richness and a slightly crackled top is pure bliss. But what elevates a good brownie to an extraordinary one? For me, it’s all about the texture and the thoughtful additions. These Nutella brownies are designed to be intensely fudgy, offering that satisfyingly chewy bite that true brownie aficionados adore. We achieve this through a careful balance of chocolate, butter, and sugar, along with a precise baking time that ensures they remain moist and dense in the center.
The addition of hazelnuts is not merely an afterthought; it’s a crucial component that transforms these brownies. Hazelnuts and chocolate are a classic pairing, a match made in culinary heaven, most famously exemplified by Nutella itself! The slightly toasted hazelnuts provide a delightful textural contrast to the smooth, fudgy brownie base and the creamy Nutella swirl. Their subtle, earthy flavor perfectly complements the deep chocolate notes, creating a complex and utterly addictive profile that goes beyond a simple chocolate brownie.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Nutella Brownies
Crafting the perfect batch of these Nutella hazelnut brownies starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Quality makes a difference here:
- Unsweetened Chocolate: This is the backbone of our fudgy brownie. Using unsweetened chocolate allows us to control the sweetness of the final product and provides a deep, intense chocolate flavor that is essential for a truly rich brownie. Don’t skimp on quality; a good baking chocolate will shine through.
- Unsalted Butter: Butter provides richness and helps create that signature fudgy texture. Using unsalted butter gives you control over the overall salt content of the recipe.
- Sugar: While chocolate brings the flavor, sugar contributes to the moistness and chewiness of the brownies. The ratio here helps prevent them from becoming cakey.
- Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer, vanilla extract rounds out the chocolate notes and adds warmth.
- Large Eggs: Eggs are binders and provide structure, helping the brownies set. They also contribute to the fudgy texture when used in the right proportion.
- Salt: Don’t underestimate salt! It balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate flavor, making every bite more impactful.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just enough flour to hold everything together without making the brownies tough or cakey. Overmixing flour is a common pitfall, so stir until just combined.
- Hazelnuts: These are a star ingredient! Roughly chopped and ideally toasted, hazelnuts add a fantastic crunch and a rich, earthy flavor that beautifully complements the chocolate and Nutella. You can lightly toast them in a dry pan or oven before chopping to deepen their flavor.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Nutella): The star of the swirl! Its creamy texture and iconic flavor make these brownies truly special. Make sure it’s at a spreadable consistency for easy swirling.
baking tip: How to achieve clean brownie slices and perfectly fudgy texture
If you’re aiming for beautiful, uniform brownie and bar slices with clean edges, along with that irresistible fudgy texture, follow these expert tips!
- Prepare your baking pan properly: Always line your baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring there’s enough overhang on the sides. This parchment “sling” acts as a handle, allowing you to easily lift the entire baked slab out of the pan after it has cooled. This prevents tearing and crumbling when removing.
- Cool completely, then chill: This is arguably the most critical step for fudgy brownies and clean cuts. While it’s tempting to dive in, hot brownies are very soft and will yield messy, uneven slices. Allow them to cool completely to room temperature first, which lets them finish setting up internally. For truly perfect, neat slices and an even fudgier texture, chill the brownies in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, or even overnight, before cutting. The colder they are, the cleaner the slice.
- Remove from pan: Once completely cooled (and ideally chilled), use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire brownie slab out of the pan and transfer it to a sturdy cutting board.
- Use the right knife and technique: A large, sharp chef’s knife is your best friend here. For the cleanest possible slices, run the knife under hot water briefly to heat the metal, then wipe it completely dry. The warm, dry blade will glide through the brownies with less sticking. For ultra-clean results, reheat and wipe the knife dry between each cut. Apply even downward pressure, rather than sawing.
- Measure for perfection (optional): If you’re particular about presentation and equal portion sizes, use a ruler as a guide to mark out your cuts before slicing. This ensures every brownie is a perfect square or rectangle.
- Don’t overbake: For the ultimate fudgy brownie, pull them from the oven when the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not liquid batter, but also not completely clean. A few moist crumbs clinging to the toothpick signify perfect fudginess.
Crafting the Perfect Nutella Swirl
The Nutella swirl isn’t just for looks; it adds an extra layer of creamy, dreamy hazelnut flavor to every bite. Achieving that beautiful, distinct swirl is simpler than you might think. After spreading your rich brownie batter evenly in the pan, drop spoonfuls of Nutella (which should be at room temperature for easy handling) across the surface, about an inch apart. Then, take a toothpick or a thin knife and gently drag it through the Nutella drops, creating elegant figure-eights or swirls. The key is not to overmix! You want visible streaks and pockets of Nutella, not a fully incorporated batter. This technique ensures a striking visual and an unexpected burst of flavor in different parts of the brownie.
Baking, Cooling, and Storage
Baking these brownies takes about 25-30 minutes. As mentioned in our tips, the goal is fudginess, so keep an eye out for set edges and a moist-crumbed toothpick test. Once out of the oven, patience is a virtue. Allow them to cool completely at room temperature, then chill them. This step is non-negotiable for that clean, dense, and truly fudgy consistency. These brownies store wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for several days, in the fridge for up to a week, or wrapped tightly in the freezer for a few months. They also make an excellent make-ahead dessert for parties or gifts!
Whether you’re a lifelong Nutella enthusiast or just discovering the joy of chocolate and hazelnut, these brownies are sure to become a new favorite. Their irresistible fudgy texture, crunchy hazelnuts, and creamy Nutella swirls offer a gourmet experience that is surprisingly simple to achieve at home.
Nutella Brownies with Hazelnuts
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces unsweetened chocolate (225 grams), chopped
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (170 grams), cubed
- 1 ¼ cup sugar (250 grams)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 grams)
- 1 cup hazelnuts (120 grams), roughly chopped
- Approximately 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread , such as Nutella
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift out the brownies later.
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In a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (a double boiler setup), melt the chopped unsweetened chocolate and cubed unsalted butter together. Stir frequently until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Stir in the sugar and vanilla extract until well combined with a wooden spoon or spatula. Add the large eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until fully incorporated. Finally, add the salt and all-purpose flour, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the flour. Gently fold in the roughly chopped hazelnuts.
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Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly into all corners. Take the chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella) and drop it by the tablespoon onto the brownie batter, spacing the dollops about 1 inch apart. Using a toothpick or a knife, gently swirl the chocolate hazelnut spread into the brownie batter. The goal is to create visible swirls, so avoid fully combining the two mixtures.
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Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges appear set and slightly crispy, but a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it (not wet batter, but not completely clean). This indicates a fudgy interior. Remove from the oven and let the brownies cool completely to room temperature in the pan. For the absolute best results and cleanest slices, chill the brownies completely in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.
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Store the cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. They can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or tightly wrapped and kept in the freezer for a few months for a longer shelf life.
Notes
This delightful recipe was originally published in April 2012 and has been a reader favorite ever since. We’ve updated the post with even more tips and details to ensure your baking success!