Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies

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You have not lived until you’ve had chocolate hazelnut spread. Bold statement? Trust me: It’s life changing. I didn’t grow up with Nutella always in the house, but when it was around it was a treat. I could never resist eating a finger-full straight from the jar. Now, I’m in love with Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter, which is much richer and nuttier. You could spread it on ANYTHING and it would taste good. But I digress. After debating what brownies to make one afternoon, I thought about using this as the base, and the rest was history. These are thick and fudgy and full of character. I couldn’t imagine anyone not falling in love with these brownies.

Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread
  • 1/4 cup butter(or non-dairy substitute such as Earth Balance)
  • 3/4 cup cane sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour(or gluten-free flour)
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 cup milk(or non-dairy substitute)
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts(optional)

To start, let your butter soften or microwave it briefly and preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Cream the chocolate hazlenut butter, sugar, and butter together to form a sticky paste.

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Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Pour in the milk to loosen up the batter while you stir, mixing it together(Note: The batter will be very thick). Lastly, fold in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts if using.

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Grease a 9×9 baking pan and press in the batter in an even layer. Bake for 28-30 minutes, until the center has been cooked through. Let the brownies cool before cutting.

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There really are no words for how good these are. I was going to make a frosting, but these stand on their own pretty easily. But I wouldn’t be opposed to spreading some chocolate hazelnut butter on top. I wouldn’t be opposed at all…

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17 Responses to Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies
  1. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    December 8, 2010 | 10:03 am

    Mmmm…I didn’t try Nutella until college, and it was EYE opening! 🙂

    These look so dense! Yum!

  2. VeggieGirl
    December 8, 2010 | 10:17 am

    Not a bold statement – a TRUE statement 🙂

  3. Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga)
    December 8, 2010 | 12:14 pm

    I didnt have nutella til i was about 12. That summer I think I ate a jar a day! I discovered it at summer camp and they sold it at the camp kiosk. It was a german camp and they sold everything that you’d find in germany, including boat loads of nutella!

    The only way these could get better would be w/ frosting…as in a vanilla buttercream that would balance the choc. Or choc frosting of course 🙂

  4. Gena
    December 8, 2010 | 5:05 pm

    These are veganizable?! Dude. I swoon.

  5. Claire @ Un Bello Aperitivo
    December 8, 2010 | 5:26 pm

    I love Nutella, but I agree, Justin’s is so much better. I have one of the little packets of the chocolate almond butter that’s been sitting in my pantry since the beginning of the semester. I think I’m saving it for something special, haha, just like the “good” Halloween candy when I was a kid.

  6. Ela
    December 8, 2010 | 6:30 pm

    I grew up in Europe and Israel, where hazelnuts and choc are considered made for each other (like chocolate and peanuts over here – what??), so have to second (or third, fourth, fifth) the enthusiasm for this concept. Love that you offer nondairy and nongluten alternatives (have you tried it both ways yet? GF flour might need more liquid) and that it’s egg-free right off.

    thanks for sharing!
    Ela

    • Wannabe Chef
      December 8, 2010 | 7:14 pm

      The one’s pictured are made with all dairy-free and gluten-free options.

  7. Erika @ FoodFitnessFun
    December 8, 2010 | 7:51 pm

    I love Nutella! I must try these brownies!

  8. Heather (Heather's Dish)
    December 8, 2010 | 7:52 pm

    fabulous tribute to all things chocolate and hazelnut…Nutella would be proud 🙂

  9. rebecca lustig
    December 8, 2010 | 8:09 pm

    omgosh, they look so rich and decadent. your blog makes me salivate, hah

  10. Emily @ Relishments
    December 8, 2010 | 8:36 pm

    Serious Eats just posted a recipe for DIY Chocolate Hazelnut Almond spread today!
    http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/12/edible-diy-heavenly-chocolate-hazelnut-almond.html

    When I make it, I may have to use some to make these brownies!

  11. Joel
    December 9, 2010 | 9:02 pm

    Based on this post alone, I think this blog may be dangerous to my athletic endeavors. Nutella is a known weakness of mine…how dare you try and tempt me Evan! 🙂

  12. Amy
    December 13, 2010 | 9:44 pm

    These sound delicious! What a great idea using a nutella like spread as a base…they look really fudgy and decadent :)!

  13. Joy
    December 14, 2010 | 12:41 am

    Yum, I love brownies. When I heard chocolate and hazelnuts, I was hooked.

  14. Heather
    December 14, 2010 | 3:21 pm

    Those look fantastic.

  15. Grace
    December 16, 2010 | 9:39 pm

    I love Nutella!!! These brownies look so rich and delectable. I haven’t made brownies in a while, think I may be making some on the weekend. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

  16. Camala - CC Recipe
    December 20, 2010 | 11:00 pm

    These brownies look awesome, I also made a hazelnut brownie recently so I am sure these are great! I have not tried Justin’s yet, I have seen it but have yet to try it, now I can’t wait:) Thanks for sharing!