Nutella Brownies

Nutella and chocolate lovers, get ready to indulge because these Nutella brownies are the most irresistible dessert you'll ever taste! With an entire layer of creamy Nutella spread sandwiched between two layers of decadent fudgy brownie, each bite packs a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate hazelnut flavor that will have you going back for seconds (or maybe even thirds)!

Best Nutella Brownies Recipe

Of all the brownie recipes I've tried, these Nutella brownies are probably one of my favorites! This recipe combines two crowd favorites into the ultimate handheld dessert: rich, chocolatey brownies and Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread. Whether serving them as an after-dinner treat or making them for a party, one thing's sure: these brownies will steal the show. Serve them with a bowl of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert!

When it comes to making Nutella brownies, technique is super important. Otherwise, the combination of hazelnut spread and chocolate can make them overly sweet. But not this recipe!

For starters, you won't find milk chocolate here—I find it to be too much when paired with Nutella. Instead, these brownies are made with semi-sweet dark chocolate to add depth and unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder for its bold, slightly acidic flavor without any added sugar. I also use a touch of salt to enhance the flavors and cut back on the sweetness without making the brownies taste salty.

In addition to the irresistible chocolate hazelnut flavor, my Nutella brownies recipe is super beginner-friendly. It uses pantry essentials, simple instructions, and plenty of tips to ensure the perfect brownies, even if it's your first time. Once you've mastered the basics, you can get creative with the suggested variations in the Flavor Variations section to make these brownies truly your own!

Katalin's Take On How To Best Incorporate Nutella With Brownies

If you're a fan of Nutella, you already know how irresistible its creamy blend of cocoa and hazelnut can be—a flavor combo so good that many can't resist eating it right out of the jar. So when it comes to making Nutella brownies, you want to get the technique just right to have the perfect harmony of that signature flavor and a rich, fudgy brownie.

While swirling Nutella into the batter might seem like the obvious choice, doing so tends to diminish its flavor (which would defeat the purpose of these brownies)!

I´ve tried many versions, and after all these experiments, I found the One! The secret is to add a frozen layer of Nutella between the two layers of brownie batter just before baking. This technique ensures every single bite delivers a burst of creamy Nutella paired with a decadent brownie.

Prepare The Nutella Layer & Freeze

Before starting the recipe, you'll need to freeze the Nutella. To do so, take a brownie pan the same size you'll use for baking, line it with parchment paper, and spread the Nutella evenly across the bottom. Place the pan in the freezer for about an hour.

Prepare the Brownie Batter

The eggs need to be at room temperature for the brownie batter, which will allow proper emulsification. If they aren't already at room temperature, place them in a bowl of hot water for about five minutes.

Once the Nutella filling is frozen, preheat your oven to 175°C / 350°F (without the fan). Meanwhile, grease the inside of a 9-inch / 23 cm brownie pan and line it with parchment paper, covering both the bottom and sides.

Create a double boiler by filling a pot with water and placing a heatproof bowl on top. Add the butter (unsalted butter only) and semi-sweet chocolate chips to the bowl and melt them gently over low-medium heat as the water simmers.

You can also use a microwave to melt the mixture, heating it in short intervals to avoid burning the chocolate. For additional tips, see my guide on melting chocolate chips.

In a separate bowl, whip the room-temperature eggs with both the granulated and brown sugars using an electric mixer or stand mixer. Mix for 5-7 minutes until the mixture becomes pale.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly incorporate the melted butter and chocolate into the egg-sugar mixture.

Then, sift in the dry ingredients (all purpose flour, salt, and cocoa powder). Don't skip the salt—it's essential for balancing the sweetness.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can create a cakey texture!

Assemble & Bake

Spread half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. 

Next, place the frozen Nutella layer on top of the batter. Carefully spread the remaining brownie batter over the Nutella, ensuring the layers do not mix (this is why you must first fully freeze the Nutella).

Bake the brownies at 175°C (350°F) for about 45 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly gooey (but not raw). Be careful not to over-bake, or you'll end up with dry, cakey brownies. They will continue to firm up as they cool.

Let your baked Nutella brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Storing & Freezing

It's hard to imagine having leftover Nutella brownies, but if you have them, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

To freeze, first allow the brownies to cool completely to room temperature. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper and cover them with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped brownies in a sealed freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to three months.

For additional storage tips, check out my guide on storing brownies.

Flavor Variations

One of the things I love most about brownies using Nutella is how customizable they are! Take your brownies to another level with the following variations:

If you really love chocolate, you can add even more chocolate chips, as I do in my triple chocolate brownie recipe. Or, instead of chocolate chips, try adding caramel, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips.

Instead of the traditional chocolate brownie layer, you can use white chocolate as I do in my white chocolate brownies. 

Give your brownies a nutty flavor and crunch by mixing in crushed nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia, or pecans.

Give your brownies a delicious finishing touch by drizzling on my homemade Nutella for even more hazelnut flavor! Or, sprinkle on a bit of sea salt for a mouthwatering sweet-salty combo (if you've ever had sea-salted chocolate chip cookies, you know how crazy good it is). You can also keep it simple and top it with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Swap out the Nutella for pumpkin puree for a fall-flavored treat, as I do in my pumpkin brownies recipe!

Ingredient Substitutions

To make gluten-free Nutella brownies, refer to my flour guide for possible alternatives. For vegan brownies, use my dairy-free brownies and consider using one of the options in my egg substitution guide. If you prefer to skip the butter, try one of these butter substitutes. 

Before attempting to make ingredient substitutions, remember that you may need to adjust other ingredient amounts to ensure the right balance of taste and texture. Be sure to closely follow the recommended substitution guides and check the recommended quantities for the best results!

Expert Tips For Making Nutella Brownies

1. Always use high-quality ingredients to achieve the best taste and texture. In this recipe, I use 82% European-style butter, high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips (e.g., Callebaut or Lindt), and 100% Dutch-process cocoa powder.
2. Use unsalted butter and unsweetened cocoa powder to control the salt and sugar quantities in the recipe entirely.
3. When melting the chocolate, use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to prevent it from scorching on the sides. 
4. For super fudgy, gooey brownies, consider decreasing the baking time and slightly underbaking them.
5. For perfectly sliced brownies, run your knife under hot water before you make each slice to prevent the chocolate from getting stuck on the knife.

What Equipment To Use

For the best results in baking, always weigh your ingredients using a digital scale instead of measuring cups. A digital oven thermometer is also helpful to ensure the right temperature.

You will need an electric hand mixer to whip the wet ingredients together, while a rubber spatula will help you gently fold in the dry ingredients to prevent overmixing. 

You'll need a 9-inch (23 cm) square baking pan and an offset spatula to smooth the batter in the pan evenly.

Try Some Of My Brownie Recipes

If you loved this easy Nutella chocolate brownies recipe, you won't want to miss these other delectable brownie recipes:

• Pumpkin Brownies
• Biscoff Brownies
• Tiramisu Brownies
• Matcha Brownies
• Red Velvet Brownies
• Pumpkin Blondies

For even more ways to incorporate Nutella into your favorite desserts, check out this roundup of  45+ Irresistible Nutella Desserts!

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