Outrageous Nutella Brownies

If you think regular brownies are already indulgent, wait until you meet these Nutella brownies. They are deeply chocolatey, fudgy in the middle, slightly crisp around the edges, and have a thick layer of creamy Nutella running right through the center. The trick is simple but clever: freeze the Nutella into a thin slab before assembling the brownies. That way, it stays in a distinct layer instead of disappearing into the batter.

These are the kind of brownies that are best cut into small squares because they are seriously rich. Serve them with coffee, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or simply eat one while it is still slightly warm.

What Makes These Nutella Brownies Different?

Instead of mixing Nutella into the brownie batter or swirling it across the top, this recipe places a frozen layer of Nutella between two layers of chocolate brownie batter. As the brownies bake, the Nutella softens into a rich, creamy center while the surrounding brownie stays fudgy.

The brownie batter itself is made with melted chocolate, butter, brown sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, and flour. There is no need for complicated techniques or special equipment, which makes this a surprisingly straightforward dessert for something that tastes so decadent.

What You Can Do Better

• Freeze the Nutella properly: The Nutella needs to be firm enough to lift and place over the first layer of batter. Give it plenty of time in the freezer rather than rushing this step.
• Use good chocolate: Since chocolate is one of the main flavours, use a good-quality dark or semi-sweet baking chocolate for a deeper taste.
• Don’t overbake: The center should still look fudgy when the brownies come out of the oven. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
• Let them cool before slicing: Cutting them too soon can make the middle messy. A little patience gives you much cleaner squares.
• Keep the pieces small: These brownies are wonderfully rich, so small portions are more than enough for a satisfying dessert.

Also Read: Lemonade Scones

Ingredients

For the Nutella Layer

For the Brownie Batter

Also Read: Easy Chocolate Truffles

How to Make Outrageous Nutella Brownies

1. Make the Frozen Nutella Layer

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some paper hanging over the sides. Spread the Nutella evenly over the lined pan to create a flat layer. Place it in the freezer until completely firm, preferably for about 1 hour.

Once frozen, use the parchment overhang to lift the Nutella slab from the pan. Put it back in the freezer while you prepare the brownie batter. Keeping it cold makes the assembly much easier.

2. Prepare the Brownie Batter

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). If you are using a fan-forced or convection oven, use about 160°C (320°F). Line the same square pan with fresh parchment paper.

Add the butter and chocolate to a heatproof bowl. Melt them gently in the microwave in short bursts, stirring between each burst. Once nearly melted, stir until completely smooth.

Let the mixture cool for a few minutes. Add the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, then whisk until combined.

Add the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Avoid overmixing because it can make the brownies less tender.

3. Assemble the Brownies

Pour approximately half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer.

Take the frozen Nutella slab from the freezer and carefully place it over the brownie batter. If it starts softening while you work, return it to the freezer for a few minutes.

Pour the remaining brownie batter over the Nutella and spread it gently so the Nutella layer is completely covered.

4. Bake

Bake for approximately 35 minutes. The brownies should be set around the edges while the center remains soft and fudgy.

A skewer inserted into the middle should come out with some moist brownie and Nutella clinging to it rather than being completely clean. A completely clean skewer usually means the brownies have been baked too far.

5. Cool and Slice

Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift them out and let them cool further before cutting.

For the cleanest slices, wait until the brownies have cooled properly. Cut them into 16 squares, or make smaller pieces if you are serving them at a party.

Also Read: Carrot Cake

Recipe at a Glance

Tips for the Best Nutella Brownies

• Use room-temperature eggs so they combine easily with the chocolate mixture.
• Keep the Nutella slab frozen until the moment you need to assemble the brownies.
• Line the pan with parchment paper to make removing the brownies much easier.
• Don’t judge doneness by looking for a completely clean toothpick. Fudgy brownies should leave some moist crumbs behind.
• Allow the brownies to cool before cutting so the Nutella center has time to settle.
• If you prefer a stronger chocolate flavour, a small amount of espresso powder can be added to the batter.
• Chopped toasted hazelnuts can be sprinkled over the top before baking for extra crunch.

Also Read: Lamingtons Recipe

How to Store Them

Store the cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. Keeping them at room temperature helps the Nutella center remain soft and creamy. If you refrigerate them, the filling will become firmer, so allow the brownies to come back toward room temperature before serving.

Can You Make These Ahead?

Yes. These brownies are a good make-ahead dessert. Once completely cooled, keep them covered at room temperature until you are ready to serve. If you are preparing them for a gathering, making them several hours ahead can actually make slicing easier.

Variations to Try

• Hazelnut crunch: Add chopped toasted hazelnuts to the top before baking.
• Extra chocolate: Stir a handful of chocolate chips into the brownie batter.
• Sea salt: Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the brownies after baking for a sweet-salty contrast.
• Ice cream dessert: Warm a brownie slightly and serve it with vanilla ice cream.
• Gluten-free option: A suitable gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can be used in place of regular flour, provided the other ingredients are also certified gluten-free if required.

Also Read: Caramel Slice

Nutrition Information

The approximate nutrition per brownie, based on 16 servings, is shown below. Actual values will vary depending on the chocolate, Nutella, and other brands used.