Irresistibly Fudgy Nutella Brownies: The Easiest One-Bowl Recipe for Chocolate Hazelnut Perfection
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Prepare to fall in love with these incredibly rich and super fudgy Nutella brownies! They are an absolute dream come true for any chocolate and hazelnut enthusiast. Each bite is an explosion of intense Nutella flavor, combined with a gorgeously light, crinkly top and a soft, unbelievably fudgy interior dotted with delightful pockets of melted Nutella. This recipe is not just delicious; it’s also wonderfully straightforward, requiring minimal effort for maximum indulgence.
Who can resist a perfectly fudgy brownie, especially when it’s infused with the irresistible taste of Nutella? Brownies have always held a special place in my heart, and elevating them with the addition of creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread takes them to an entirely new level of deliciousness. From the very first crumb to the last, these brownies deliver a consistently rich and decadent Nutella experience.
What makes this Nutella brownie recipe truly remarkable is its simplicity. You only need about 10 common ingredients, and the entire process can be completed in just one bowl, making cleanup a breeze. The result is a stunning dessert featuring that coveted shiny, crinkly top that bakers adore, a melt-in-your-mouth fudgy center, and generous swirls of Nutella beautifully marbled throughout the brownie batter. It’s the ultimate treat for a quick dessert or a special occasion.
If you’re a fan of brownies and looking for more irresistible variations, be sure to explore some of our other favorites: try these Fudgy Peanut Butter Brookies for a sweet and salty combination, indulge in the classic Oreo Brookies, or celebrate with fun and festive Birthday Blondie Bars.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
This Nutella brownie recipe isn’t just another brownie; it’s a carefully crafted creation designed for ultimate flavor and ease. Here’s why it consistently delivers perfect results:
- Super Fudgy Texture: The secret to these brownies’ intensely fudgy, almost gooey center lies in a precise balance of melted butter and dark chocolate, combined with the right ratio of sugars and minimal flour. This ensures a dense, moist, and chewy texture that’s characteristic of a truly exceptional brownie. We intentionally underbake them slightly to maintain that desirable soft, luscious consistency.
- Double the Nutella Flavor: This recipe truly bursts with Nutella! We don’t just add a hint; a generous amount of Nutella is incorporated directly into the brownie batter, and then even more is swirled on top before baking. This double dose ensures a deep, rich hazelnut-chocolate flavor in every single bite, creating beautiful pockets of molten Nutella throughout the brownie.
- Effortless One-Bowl Preparation: We understand that delicious baking shouldn’t mean a mountain of dishes. This recipe is designed to be made entirely in one bowl, minimizing cleanup and making the baking process incredibly quick and enjoyable. With only 10 essential ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s perfect for both novice bakers and experienced dessert makers looking for a hassle-free treat.
INGREDIENT NOTES
Quality ingredients are the foundation of any great dessert, and these Nutella brownies are no exception. Here’s a closer look at the key components and why they’re important for achieving that perfect fudgy texture and rich flavor. For a complete list of quantities, please refer to the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Nutella: This is the star of our show! We use about half a jar of Nutella, not just mixed into the batter but also generously swirled on top to create those delightful gooey pockets and amplify the rich hazelnut-chocolate flavor. Using a fresh, good-quality Nutella will make a noticeable difference in taste and texture.
- Unsalted Butter: The butter is melted alongside the dark chocolate, forming the rich base of our brownies. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the recipe, ensuring a balanced flavor profile. Butter contributes significantly to the fudgy texture and decadent richness.
- Brown Sugar: This isn’t just for sweetness; brown sugar is crucial for the brownie’s texture. Its molasses content adds essential moisture, resulting in a wonderfully soft, chewy, and undeniably fudgy brownie. It also helps create a slightly denser, more decadent crumb compared to using only granulated sugar.
- Granulated Sugar: Paired with brown sugar, granulated sugar contributes to the overall sweetness and helps create that iconic shiny, crinkly top on the brownies. The interaction between the sugars and eggs during the whisking process is key to achieving this beautiful aesthetic.
- Eggs: For the best results, remember to take your eggs out of the fridge 1-2 hours before baking to allow them to come to room temperature. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the fat and sugar, leading to a smoother batter and contributing significantly to the shiny, crinkly crust that we all love on a good brownie.
- Dark Chocolate: I highly recommend using a dark chocolate that leans towards the sweeter side, typically around 54.5% cocoa solids. This percentage offers a rich chocolate flavor without being overly bitter, ensuring a harmonious blend with the sweetness of the Nutella and sugars. Good quality chocolate chips or finely chopped bar chocolate will melt smoothly and contribute to the brownie’s deep chocolate base.
- Cocoa Powder: For the most luxurious chocolate flavor, I always reach for high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder. My personal favorite is from Valrhona, known for its deep, less acidic flavor and darker color. Dutch-processed cocoa creates a smoother, mellower chocolate taste that perfectly complements the Nutella.
- All-Purpose Flour: Keep the flour measurement precise, preferably using a kitchen scale. Over-measuring flour can lead to dry, cakey brownies, which is precisely what we want to avoid. All-purpose flour provides just enough structure without making the brownies tough.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is essential in sweet recipes! It doesn’t just add salinity; it brightens and enhances all the other flavors, especially the rich chocolate and hazelnut. Flaky sea salt sprinkled on top after baking adds a delightful textural contrast and a sophisticated touch.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Creating these fudgy Nutella brownies is a simple and rewarding process. Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully, and you’ll have a batch of perfect brownies in no time. This recipe primarily requires an electric hand mixer (or a whisk and some elbow grease), one large mixing bowl, and a spatula for combining ingredients.
The complete, printable recipe can be found in the recipe card down below.
Before you begin, make sure your oven is preheated to 175ºC (350ºF) for a conventional oven. Prepare a 20×20 cm (8×8 inch) square panby lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the brownies out once baked and cooled.
STEP 1: Melt Chocolate and Butter. In a large, heatproof bowl, combine the butter and dark chocolate chips. Melt them together gently either over a double boiler (a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water) or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until completely smooth and combined. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate. Set aside briefly to cool slightly.
STEP 2: Combine Sugars and Liquids. In the same large bowl with the melted butter and chocolate, add both the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Pour the slightly cooled melted butter and chocolate mixture over the sugars. Using a hand whisk, vigorously whisk these ingredients together until fully combined and smooth. This step is crucial for developing the brownie’s fudgy texture.
STEP 3: Incorporate Eggs for the Crinkly Top. Add the room temperature eggs one at a time to the sugar and chocolate mixture, whisking well after each addition until fully incorporated. Once both eggs are in, continue whisking the mixture vigorously for an additional 1-2 minutes. This extended whisking incorporates air and helps dissolve the sugar, which is precisely what creates that signature shiny, crinkly crust on top of your brownies. You’ll notice the batter becoming lighter in color and developing a smooth, almost缎状 (silky) consistency when it’s sufficiently whisked.
STEP 4: Add Vanilla. Next, pour in the vanilla extract. Whisk it into the batter just until it is fully combined. Vanilla enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a beautiful aromatic depth to the brownies.
STEP 5: Fold in Dry Ingredients. Sift the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt directly over the wet batter in the bowl. Using a spatula, gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix; stop folding as soon as no streaks of flour are visible. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, more cake-like brownie texture rather than the desired fudgy consistency.
STEP 6: Prepare for Baking with Nutella Swirls. Pour the brownie batter into your prepared 20×20 cm baking pan and use the spatula to smooth out the top evenly. Now for the fun part: add several dollops of Nutella strategically across the surface of the batter. Using a knife or a skewer, gently swirl the Nutella into the brownie batter to create beautiful marbled patterns. Don’t overmix the swirls; you want distinct pockets of Nutella.
STEP 7: Bake and Serve. Transfer the pan to your preheated oven and bake for approximately 22-24 minutes. Brownies are often done when the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). Avoid overbaking, as this will result in dry brownies. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting. This allows them to set properly and enhances their fudgy texture. Finish them off with a generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving for an extra touch of flavor and texture.
EXPERT BAKING TIPS FOR PERFECT BROWNIES
Achieving the perfect brownie involves a few key techniques and considerations. Here are some expert tips to ensure your Nutella brownies turn out absolutely flawless every time:
- Always Use a Kitchen Scale for Accuracy: My recipes, and indeed most professional baking recipes, specify ingredients in grams. This is by far the most precise way to measure your ingredients, especially flour, cocoa powder, and sugars. Using a kitchen scale eliminates inconsistencies that can arise from variations in spoon or cup measurements, which can significantly impact the final texture of your brownies. Precision is key in baking!
- Do Not Overmix Your Brownie Batter: This is a golden rule for fudgy brownies. Once you’ve added the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, salt) to the wet ingredients, fold them together very gently using a spatula. Mix only until there are no visible streaks of flour remaining. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which leads to a tougher, more cake-like texture rather than the desired dense, fudgy chewiness. After everything is just combined, I always give it one final, gentle fold with a spatula to ensure no dry pockets are clinging to the bottom or sides of the bowl.
- Choose the Right Baking Pan: The type of baking pan you use can greatly affect your brownie’s crust and texture. For the absolute best results, I recommend using an aluminum baking pan, lightly greased and lined with parchment paper. Aluminum pans are light in color, which means they absorb less heat than darker pans. This allows the brownies to bake more gently and evenly, resulting in a softer, more consistently fudgy interior and less chance of dry, burnt edges. If you opt for a dark-colored baking pan, be aware that it will attract and retain more heat, which can lead to a darker, crispier crust and potentially a dryer brownie. If using a dark pan, you might need to slightly reduce your oven temperature by 25°F (15°C) and check for doneness a few minutes earlier.
- Don’t Overbake: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for fudgy brownies. Brownies continue to cook slightly after they are removed from the oven, so it’s better to pull them out when they still look a tiny bit underbaked in the very center. The edges should be set, but a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, not completely clean. If it comes out clean, your brownies are likely overbaked and will be cakey.
- Allow Brownies to Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue, especially with brownies! Resist the urge to cut into them immediately. Allowing the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack is essential for them to fully set and achieve their ultimate fudgy texture. Warm brownies are delicious, but they are softer and messier; a fully cooled brownie will have a denser, chewier bite and cut much more cleanly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NUTELLA BROWNIES
You’ll know your Nutella brownies are perfectly done when the edges appear set and firm, but the very center still looks a little soft and slightly underbaked, with a slight wobble if you gently shake the pan. When you insert a toothpick or a cake tester into the center, it should come out with moist crumbs clinging to it, not wet batter. If the toothpick comes out completely clean, your brownies might be overbaked and could result in a drier, more cake-like texture rather than the desired fudginess. Remember, brownies continue to cook slightly from residual heat after being removed from the oven.
This is a matter of personal preference! I personally adore eating brownies cold; chilling them overnight in the fridge really tightens up their texture, making them extra dense and intensely fudgy. They become almost like a solid, decadent fudge bar. This also makes them fantastic for making a day ahead of serving. However, if you prefer a softer, gooier texture, they are also incredibly delicious stored and served at room temperature. You can even warm them slightly in the microwave for a few seconds before serving for an extra gooey, molten Nutella experience, especially delightful with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Yes, absolutely! As mentioned, making these brownies a day ahead and storing them in the fridge overnight is highly recommended. The flavors have time to deepen and meld, and the texture becomes incredibly rich and even fudgier as they chill and set completely. Simply bake, allow them to cool completely at room temperature, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Cut them into squares just before serving.
Absolutely! While the Nutella is a star, these brownies are a fantastic base for other additions. You can fold in about ½ cup of chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans), extra chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white), or even mini marshmallows during the last step of mixing the dry ingredients. Be mindful that additions might slightly alter the baking time, so keep an eye on doneness.
The crinkly top is a hallmark of a great brownie! The secret lies in vigorously whisking the eggs with the melted butter, chocolate, and sugars for a full 1-2 minutes after the eggs have been incorporated. This process helps to dissolve the sugar crystals and incorporates air, creating a meringue-like top layer that bakes into that beautiful, glossy, crackled finish. Using room temperature eggs also aids in better emulsification and thus a more consistent crinkle.
STORAGE
Proper storage is essential to keep your Nutella brownies fresh, fudgy, and delicious for as long as possible. Here’s how to store them for optimal enjoyment:
- Room Temperature: To maintain the ultimate fudgy texture, I highly recommend storing these brownies at room temperature in an airtight container. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. To prevent the edges from drying out and to keep them incredibly soft and moist, I suggest waiting to cut the brownies into individual squares until you are ready to serve them. Stored properly this way, they will remain wonderfully soft and fudgy for 2-3 days.
- Fridge: As a personal preference, I absolutely love a cold brownie! Refrigeration really tightens up the texture of the brownie, making them even denser and intensely fudgier, almost like a solid piece of fudge. They are therefore fantastic to make a day ahead of serving. Simply store them uncut in an airtight container in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to serve, take them out, let them sit for 10-15 minutes (or enjoy them cold!), and then slice. They will keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Brownies freeze exceptionally well! If you want to prepare them far in advance or save some for later, let the brownies cool completely. Then, wrap the entire uncut slab tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or cut them into individual squares and wrap each piece before placing them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, simply take them out of the freezer and let them come to room temperature on the counter for a few hours, or warm them gently in the microwave if you prefer them warm and gooey.
Other Brownie & Dessert Recipes To Try
If you loved these Nutella brownies, you’re in for a treat with these other delightful recipes:
- Gooey Pecan Pie Brownies with Brown Butter
- Brown Butter Hot Fudge Cake
- 25 Best Summer Dessert Ideas
- Cheesecake Chocolate Brownie
If you’ve whipped up a batch of these incredible Nutella brownies, please make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW to let us know how much you loved this recipe! Your feedback helps other bakers discover these delightful treats. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @juliemarieeats so I can see your delicious creations. To get even more baking inspiration and ideas, be sure to follow me on Pinterest.
Nutella Brownie
Pin Recipe
Equipment
- 20×20 cm baking pan
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric hand mixer or whisk
- Spatula
Ingredients
Nutella Brownie
- 125 g unsalted butter, melted
- 125 g dark chocolate chips (54-60% cocoa)
- 125 g brown sugar
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 150 g all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 100 g Nutella, for swirling
- flaky sea salt, for topping (optional)
Instructions
Nutella Brownie
- Preheat your oven to 175ºC (350ºF) for a conventional oven. This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature before you start baking.
- Prepare a 20×20 cm (8×8 inch) square baking pan by lining it with parchment paper. Leave an overhang on two sides to create “handles” which will make it easy to lift the baked brownies out of the pan.
- In a large, heatproof bowl, melt the unsalted butter and dark chocolate chips. You can do this over a double boiler (a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, not touching the water) or in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth and fully combined. Allow it to cool slightly for a few minutes.125 g butter, 125 g dark chocolate chips
- To the bowl with the melted butter and chocolate, add the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Using a hand whisk, vigorously whisk the mixture together until well combined and smooth. This step begins to create the fudgy foundation.125 g brown sugar, 100 g granulated sugar
- Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition until fully incorporated. Once both eggs are in, continue to whisk the batter vigorously for an additional 1-2 minutes. This crucial step incorporates air and dissolves sugar, which is what will give your brownies that beautiful, shiny, crinkly top. You’ll notice the batter becoming lighter in color and smoother.2 eggs
- Next, add the vanilla extract to the batter and whisk it in just until it is completely combined.2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sift the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt directly over the wet ingredients in the bowl. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the batter using a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough, cakey brownies. Stop as soon as no dry streaks of flour are visible.150 g all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoon cocoa powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan and use the spatula to gently smooth it out into an even layer.
- Drop a few generous dollops of Nutella evenly across the top of the brownie batter. Using a knife or a skewer, gently swirl the Nutella into the batter to create beautiful marbled patterns. Don’t overmix the swirls; you want distinct pockets of molten Nutella.100 g Nutella
- Bake for approximately 22-24 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). Avoid overbaking. Once out of the oven, let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting. This is crucial for achieving that perfect fudgy texture and clean slices. Finish it off with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for an enhanced flavor experience.flaky sea salt