Sweet Sundays: Nutella Brownies

 

There really isn’t an explanation or a funny story for this post.  Just a girl desperate for dark chocolate fudginess.  I am sorry spell check, fudginess is a word in my dictionary.  My family must all have been craving the same thing, because they all got in the act and helped make these simple treats.

Nutella Brownies came out of “The Only Bake Sale Cookbook You’ll Ever Need” cookbook.  I have made “Tangy Lime Poppy Seed Cake” and “Orange and Chocolate Cake” a while ago. The cookbook has everything!  Twenty recipes for Rice Krispie treats, a whole chapter on brownies and cakes and pies and easy snacks to bag and sell at your next bake sale.  I just make the treats for myself and my friends and family.  The brownies are super easy and super quick.  Perfect for when you just need chocolate.

Please check out both cake recipes!

 http://sara826-itstartedwithone.blogspot.com/2010/06/tangy-lime-poppy-seed-cake.html

http://sara826-itstartedwithone.blogspot.com/2010/07/orange-and-chocolate-cake.html

 

 

Nutella Brownies

* This recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups hazelnuts.  I omitted them.  I didn’t have them on hand and they are just as good without them.

 

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup hazelnuts (optional)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

2 ounces (2 squares) unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped

1/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (Nutella)

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

1.  Preheat oven to 350

2.  Spray an 8x8 inch square baking dish with baking spray and set aside.

3.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a small mixing bowl. If you are using hazelnuts continue down the recipe.  If not, skip to step 5.

4.  Spread the hazelnuts in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet  bake until just fragrant, about 10 minutes.  Remove the nuts from the oven and wrap them in a clean kitchen towel  Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes.  Rub the nuts with the towel to remove the skins (it’s ok if bits of skin stick to some of the nuts), finely chop-, and set aside.

5.  Fill a sauce pan with an inch of water and bring it to a small boil.

6.  Place a glass bowl on top of the water, making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bow.

7.  To the bowl add the butter, chopped chocolate and Nutella.  Heat, whisking occasionally, until the chocolate, butter and Nutella have completely melted and are combined.  Set aside to cool slightly.

8.  Whisk together the sugar and eggs in a large bowl.  Using a wooden spoon, stir in the chocolate mixture and vanilla, then stir in the flour mixture until just incorporated.  Stir in the nuts.  (if using)

9.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.  Cool completely and cut into 16 squares.  You can cut them bigger if you want too.  I won’t tell any one.  Sometimes you are desperate for chocolate!