The Ultimate Nutella Brownies Recipe – Fudgy, Rich & Irresistibly Decadent

If you’ve ever dreamed of combining the rich, chocolatey goodness of brownies with the creamy, hazelnut perfection of Nutella, then these Nutella Brownies are about to become your new obsession. This recipe creates the most incredibly fudgy, gooey brownies with a deep chocolate-hazelnut flavor that’s absolutely addictive. Unlike traditional brownies that rely solely on cocoa powder, these beauties get an extra boost of richness from generous swirls of Nutella baked right into the batter.

These Nutella Brownies are perfect for any occasion – from casual family desserts and school bake sales to elegant dinner parties and holiday gatherings. They’re special enough to impress guests but simple enough to whip up on a weeknight when you’re craving something sweet. The best part? They come together with pantry staples and that jar of Nutella you probably already have in your cupboard. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, these brownies deliver bakery-quality results every single time.

History / Background

Brownies have been an American classic since their invention in the late 19th century. Legend has it that a chef at Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel created the first brownie in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exposition. The recipe called for an apricot glaze and walnuts, served in boxed lunches for ladies attending the fair. Since then, brownies have evolved into countless variations, becoming one of the most beloved desserts in American baking.

Nutella, on the other hand, has its roots in Italy. Created by Pietro Ferrero in 1946 in the Piedmont region, Nutella was born out of necessity during World War II when cocoa was scarce, leading bakers to extend chocolate with hazelnuts, which were abundant in the area. What started as a solid block called “Giandujot” eventually became the creamy, spreadable Nutella we know and love today. By the 1960s, Nutella had spread across Europe, and it reached American shores in the 1980s, quickly becoming a household staple.

The marriage of American brownies and Italian Nutella is a relatively modern culinary fusion that gained massive popularity in the 2010s with the rise of food blogs and Pinterest. Home bakers began experimenting with adding Nutella to traditional brownie recipes, discovering that the hazelnut spread added incredible moisture, richness, and a sophisticated flavor profile that elevated simple brownies into something truly extraordinary. Today, Nutella Brownies have become a Pinterest phenomenon, with millions of saves and countless variations circulating across social media.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Nutella Brownies strike the perfect balance between fudgy and cakey, with a crispy top that gives way to an intensely chocolatey, gooey center. The Nutella adds layers of flavor complexity that regular brownies simply can’t match, with nutty undertones that complement the deep chocolate notes beautifully.

Here’s why this recipe is a winner:

• Incredibly easy to make – Just one bowl, simple mixing, and no complicated techniques required
• Rich and fudgy texture – The Nutella creates extra moisture and that coveted gooey center
• Budget-friendly ingredients – Uses basic pantry staples with Nutella as the star ingredient
• Perfect for beginners – Foolproof recipe with clear instructions that guarantee success
• Family-approved – Kids and adults alike go crazy for these brownies
• Impressive presentation – The marbled Nutella swirls look professional and Instagram-worthy
• Versatile dessert – Serve them plain, with ice cream, or dressed up for special occasions
• Make-ahead friendly – Actually taste better the next day as flavors develop
• Crowd-pleaser – Always the first dessert to disappear at parties and potlucks

Ingredient Notes

All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our brownie structure. All-purpose flour provides just enough gluten development to hold the brownies together without making them cakey. If you need a gluten-free option, you can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, though the texture may be slightly more delicate.

Unsalted Butter: Creates richness and helps achieve that fudgy texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level in the recipe. Make sure it’s fully melted and slightly cooled before mixing with other ingredients. You can substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free version, though you’ll lose some of that buttery flavor.

Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: This combination is key to the perfect brownie texture. Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps create that shiny, crackly top, while brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that complements the Nutella beautifully. Don’t substitute one entirely for the other.

Eggs: Essential for binding and creating structure. Eggs also contribute to the fudgy texture. Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the batter. For the richest brownies, use large eggs exactly as specified.

Nutella: The star ingredient! Nutella adds incredible chocolate-hazelnut flavor, extra moisture, and creates those gorgeous swirls. Don’t skimp on quality here – authentic Nutella delivers the best results, though other hazelnut-chocolate spreads can work in a pinch.

Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed or natural both work) to intensify the chocolate flavor. This works alongside the Nutella to create complex, deep chocolate notes.

Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors and adds warmth. Pure vanilla extract is always preferable to imitation for the best taste.

Salt: Don’t skip this! A small amount of salt balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate flavor more pronounced.

Chocolate Chips (optional): For extra chocolate pockets throughout the brownies. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work wonderfully.

Equipment Needed

• 9×9-inch or 8×8-inch square baking pan
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil (for easy removal)
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium saucepan (for melting butter)
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Toothpick or cake tester
• Wire cooling rack
• Microwave-safe bowl (optional, for warming Nutella)
• Sharp knife (for cutting brownies)

Print

Nutrition information is approximate and calculated based on standard ingredient measurements.

Tips & Variations

Peanut Butter Swirl: Add dollops of peanut butter along with the Nutella for a PB&C combination that’s out of this world.

Salted Caramel Nutella Brownies: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the top before baking and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Hazelnut Crunch: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped toasted hazelnuts for added texture and nutty flavor that complements the Nutella perfectly.

Espresso Enhancement: Add 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the batter to intensify the chocolate flavor without making them taste like coffee.

White Chocolate Variation: Swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips for a sweeter, more decadent version.

Nutella Frosting: Make a Nutella buttercream frosting and spread it over cooled brownies for an extra indulgent treat.

Vegan Adaptation: Use vegan butter, flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 6 tablespoons water), and dairy-free chocolate hazelnut spread.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend.

Pro Chef Tips

Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring eggs to room temperature for better incorporation and a smoother batter. Place eggs in warm water for 5-10 minutes if you forgot to take them out ahead.

Don’t Rush the Cooling: The hardest part of this recipe is waiting! Brownies continue to set as they cool, and cutting them too early results in a messy, crumbly disaster. Patience is rewarded with perfect, clean cuts and the ideal fudgy texture.

The Toothpick Test: For fudgy brownies, you want moist crumbs on your toothpick, not wet batter but definitely not a clean toothpick. The residual heat will continue cooking them slightly as they cool.

Sift Your Cocoa: Always sift cocoa powder to eliminate lumps that won’t dissolve during mixing. This ensures smooth, evenly chocolate brownies.

Use Quality Chocolate: The flavor of your brownies is only as good as your ingredients. Invest in good quality cocoa powder and authentic Nutella for the best results.

Line Your Pan Properly: Creating a parchment sling (parchment that overhangs two opposite sides) makes removing brownies a breeze and prevents sticking in the corners where foil can tear.

Calibrate Your Oven: Home ovens can run hot or cold by 25°F or more. Use an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy – overbaked brownies are dry and cakey rather than fudgy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the Batter: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough, cakey brownies instead of fudgy ones. Fold gently with a spatula rather than beating vigorously.

Overbaking: This is the #1 brownie killer. Brownies continue cooking from residual heat after you remove them from the oven. Take them out when they’re slightly underdone in the center for that perfect fudgy texture.

Using Cold Eggs: Cold eggs don’t emulsify properly with melted butter, which can create a grainy texture. Always use room temperature eggs for the smoothest batter.

Skipping the Parchment Paper: Trying to remove brownies directly from a greased pan often ends in disaster. The parchment sling ensures you can lift the entire block out cleanly.

Cutting Too Soon: Warm brownies are soft and will crumble when cut. Wait until they’re completely cool (or even chilled) for clean, professional-looking squares.

Not Warming the Swirl Nutella: Cold Nutella is too thick to swirl properly and will sit in clumps on top rather than creating beautiful marbled patterns. A quick 10-second microwave session makes it perfectly pourable.

Storage & Meal Prep

Room Temperature Storage: Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Place parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll stay incredibly moist and fudgy.

Refrigerator Storage: For longer storage, keep brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Many people prefer the texture of cold Nutella brownies – they become even fudgier! Let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving if you prefer them less chilled.

Reheating: While delicious cold or at room temperature, you can warm individual brownies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven gooeyness. Alternatively, wrap in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes.

Freezing: Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

Make-Ahead & Freezer Notes

These Nutella Brownies are actually one of those magical recipes that taste even better the next day, making them perfect for advance preparation!

Make-Ahead Instructions: You can bake these brownies 2-3 days ahead of when you need them. In fact, many bakers swear that brownies improve after 24 hours as the flavors meld and the texture becomes even more fudgy. Store them uncut in the pan, covered tightly with plastic wrap, until ready to serve.

Freezing Baked Brownies: Once completely cooled, cut brownies into squares and wrap each one individually in plastic wrap. Place wrapped brownies in a freezer-safe zip-top bag, pressing out excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours or microwave individual brownies for 20-30 seconds.

Freezing Unbaked Batter: You can also freeze the brownie batter! Prepare the batter through step 6, pour into your prepared pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, remove from freezer and bake from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

Best Reheating Method: For that just-baked experience, warm brownies in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 15-20 seconds. They’ll become deliciously gooey again!

Serving Suggestions

These Nutella Brownies are spectacular on their own, but here are some ideas to take them to the next level:

Classic Pairings: Serve warm brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or French vanilla gelato. The cold, creamy ice cream against the warm, fudgy brownie is absolute perfection. Add a drizzle of hot fudge or caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Coffee & Tea: Pair these rich brownies with a hot cup of coffee, espresso, or cappuccino. The bitterness of coffee balances the sweetness beautifully. They’re also wonderful with chai tea or hot chocolate.

Whipped Cream: Top with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder for an elegant presentation.

Fresh Berries: Serve with fresh raspberries or strawberries on the side. The tartness of the berries cuts through the richness and adds a bright, fresh element.

Brownie Sundaes: Create an epic brownie sundae by topping with ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, caramel, toasted nuts, and a cherry on top.

Milk: Keep it simple and classic with a cold glass of milk – the ultimate comfort dessert pairing.

Party Presentation: Cut into smaller bite-sized pieces and arrange on a platter with fresh mint leaves for garnish. Perfect for parties and gatherings.

Hazelnut Spread Drizzle: Warm additional Nutella and drizzle over the top just before serving for extra decadence.

FAQs Section

Can I use a different size pan?
Yes, but it will affect the texture and baking time. A 9×13 pan will create thinner brownies that bake faster (check at 20 minutes). A smaller pan like 8×8 creates thicker brownies that may need 5 extra minutes. For the best fudgy texture, stick with 8×8 or 9×9.

Why are my brownies cakey instead of fudgy?
This usually happens from overbaking or overmixing. Make sure to take brownies out when the center still has a slight jiggle, and mix the batter only until the flour is just incorporated. Adding an extra tablespoon of Nutella can also increase fudginess.

Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Check for doneness at 30 minutes, though they may need 35-40 minutes total. The batter is quite thick, so make sure it’s spread evenly in the pan.

My Nutella won’t swirl – what went wrong?
The Nutella needs to be warm and pourable to swirl properly. Microwave it for 10-15 seconds (stirring after) until it’s the consistency of thick syrup. If it’s too cold, it will just sit in clumps on top.

Can I make these nut-free?
While Nutella contains hazelnuts, you can substitute it with a nut-free chocolate spread like SunButter chocolate spread or a chocolate tahini spread. The flavor will be different but still delicious.

How do I get clean cuts?
Let the brownies cool completely (or refrigerate them), use a sharp knife, and wipe the blade clean between each cut. Warming the knife under hot water and drying it also helps create clean edges.

Can I add more Nutella?
Yes! You can increase the Nutella in the batter to 3/4 cup and use 1/3 cup for swirling on top for an even more intense Nutella flavor. Just be aware this may require 2-3 extra minutes of baking time.

Conclusion

These Nutella Brownies are everything a chocolate lover could dream of – intensely fudgy, rich with chocolate-hazelnut flavor, and absolutely irresistible. The combination of a crispy top, gooey center, and those gorgeous Nutella swirls makes these brownies truly special. Whether you’re baking for a party, treating your family, or simply satisfying your own chocolate cravings, this recipe delivers bakery-quality results with minimal effort.

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You don’t need any fancy equipment or techniques – just one bowl, a few basic ingredients, and about 45 minutes from start to finish. Yet the results are so impressive that people will think you spent hours in the kitchen. The secret is in the Nutella, which adds incredible moisture, depth of flavor, and that signature hazelnut note that makes these brownies unforgettable.

I’d love to hear how your Nutella Brownies turn out! Leave a comment below with your experience, any variations you tried, or questions you might have. Don’t forget to rate this recipe and snap a photo of your beautiful brownies to share on Pinterest – I can’t wait to see your creations! Happy baking!