When I discovered I could make incredible brownies with just three ingredients, one of them being Nutella, I thought it was too good to be true. The first time I pulled a pan of these from the oven, the rich chocolate-hazelnut aroma filled my kitchen and I knew I’d found something special. This nutella brownies recipe has become my go-to when I need a quick dessert that tastes absolutely amazing.
Why You’ll Love This Nutella Brownies Recipe
These brownies require only three simple ingredients that you might already have in your pantry. They come together in minutes with just one bowl and minimal cleanup. The Nutella gives them an incredible fudgy texture and rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor that’s utterly irresistible. Despite being so simple, they taste decadent and gourmet enough to serve at dinner parties. This nutella brownies recipe is nearly impossible to mess up, making it perfect for beginner bakers or anyone short on time. The brownies have that signature crackly top and dense, fudgy center that brownie lovers crave. They’re naturally rich, so a small piece satisfies your chocolate craving completely.
What Are Nutella Brownies?
Nutella brownies are ultra-fudgy chocolate brownies made with Nutella hazelnut spread as the primary ingredient. This nutella brownies recipe creates dense, rich brownies using just Nutella, eggs, and flour—no butter, oil, or cocoa powder needed. The Nutella provides all the fat, chocolate flavor, and sweetness required for amazing brownies. The hazelnut notes from the Nutella add a sophisticated twist that sets these apart from regular chocolate brownies. Because Nutella is already a smooth, spreadable mixture of chocolate, hazelnuts, and sugar, it creates an incredibly creamy batter that bakes into perfectly fudgy brownies. These brownies have a texture similar to fancy European chocolate tortes—dense, moist, and intensely chocolatey.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake with this nutella brownies recipe is overbaking. Because there’s so little flour, these brownies go from perfectly fudgy to dry very quickly. They should look slightly underdone when you remove them from the oven.
Another error is not measuring the Nutella accurately. Too much makes the brownies greasy, while too little creates a cakey rather than fudgy texture. Use measuring cups and level them off carefully.
Don’t use a pan larger than 8×8 inches for this recipe. A bigger pan spreads the batter too thin, resulting in brownies that are more like cookies than the fudgy squares you want.
Many people skip lining the pan with parchment paper. Without it, these sticky, fudgy brownies are extremely difficult to remove cleanly from the pan.
Finally, avoid cutting the brownies while they’re still warm. They need time to cool and set completely, or they’ll be too gooey to cut into neat squares.
How to Know Your Nutella Brownies Are Done
Your nutella brownies recipe is complete when the edges look set and slightly pulling away from the pan, but the center still appears soft and slightly shiny. This might look underdone, but trust the process.
Insert a toothpick into the center about two inches from the edge. It should come out with several moist crumbs clinging to it, but not wet batter. If it comes out completely clean, the brownies are already overbaked.
The top should have a thin, papery crust that’s developed a slight sheen. You might see small cracks forming on the surface, which is a good sign.
When you gently press the center, it should feel soft but spring back slightly. It shouldn’t leave a deep indentation or feel liquid underneath.
After cooling for at least two hours, the brownies should be firm enough to cut cleanly while remaining wonderfully fudgy inside.
What to Serve With Nutella Brownies
These rich brownies are incredible with vanilla ice cream. The cold, creamy vanilla perfectly balances the intense chocolate-hazelnut flavor. Serve the brownies slightly warm with a scoop on top for pure bliss.
Fresh strawberries or raspberries make an excellent accompaniment. The bright, tart fruit cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing element to each bite.
A dusting of powdered sugar over the top adds a beautiful finishing touch and a bit of extra sweetness. You can also drizzle extra Nutella on top for chocolate lovers.
Whipped cream lightened with a touch of hazelnut liqueur creates an elegant pairing for special occasions. The airy cream contrasts beautifully with the dense brownies.
Serve these brownies with strong coffee or espresso. The bitter coffee complements the sweet chocolate-hazelnut flavor perfectly and makes for a sophisticated dessert experience.
Storage Tips for Nutella Brownies
Store your nutella brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. Keep them in a single layer or separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
These brownies freeze exceptionally well for up to three months. Cut them into individual squares, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap, then place them all in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour or microwave for fifteen to twenty seconds.
Don’t refrigerate these brownies unless absolutely necessary. Cold temperatures make them firm and less fudgy, though they’re still delicious. If you do refrigerate them, let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
If the brownies seem to dry out slightly after a day or two, warm them in the microwave for ten seconds. This restores their gooey, fudgy texture.
For the freshest taste and texture, enjoy these brownies within the first two days of baking.
Estimated Nutrition Information
Per brownie (based on 16 servings): Approximately 130 calories, 6g fat, 17g carbohydrates, 3g protein, 1g fiber. These are rich treats for occasional enjoyment.
Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Cooling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 16 brownies
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 1 and 1/3 cups Nutella (about 400 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare your pan
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
Step 2: Mix Nutella and eggs
In a large bowl, combine Nutella and eggs. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or whisk until completely smooth and well combined. The mixture should look glossy and uniform.
Step 3: Add flour
Add the flour and salt if using. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour. The batter will be thick and glossy.
Step 4: Transfer to pan
Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly into all corners. The batter will be quite thick, so take your time to get it level.
Step 5: Bake
Place in the preheated oven and bake for eighteen to twenty-two minutes. Start checking at eighteen minutes. The edges should be set and the center should look just barely set with a slight jiggle.
Step 6: Check doneness
Insert a toothpick two inches from the edge. It should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. The center will look slightly underdone, which is exactly what you want for fudgy brownies.
Step 7: Cool in pan
Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This takes at least two hours. Don’t rush this step or the brownies will fall apart when you try to cut them.
Step 8: Remove from pan
Once completely cool, use the parchment overhang to lift the entire block of brownies out of the pan. Place on a cutting board.
Step 9: Cut into squares
Using a sharp knife, cut into sixteen squares. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for the neatest edges. The brownies should be dense and fudgy.
Step 10: Serve and enjoy
Your nutella brownies are ready to serve! Store any leftovers in an airtight container.
This nutella brownies recipe proves that amazing desserts don’t need complicated ingredient lists or fancy techniques. With just three ingredients and minimal effort, you get incredibly delicious, fudgy brownies that everyone will love!
