Can we handle this right now? Here goes nothing!

I’ve always made brownies 1 of 3 ways:

with cocoa powder with pure chocolate with both

Any of the above supply the decadent chocolate flavor as tasted in recipes like my chewy fudgy brownies and mint chocolate chip cheesecake brownies. But there’s another big time chocolate player in town that I’ve ignored all this years. It’s that wonderfully creamy, fabulously thick magic we all know as Nutella. The stuff you spread onto each bite of a banana (do you do that too?) and then tell yourself you’ll just have one small spoonful straight up when the banana’s gone. Yeah right, more like 4?? Make that 5. And there goes 10 billion calories. It’s all very worth it.

Today’s Nutella brownies come from my dear friend Shelly. Shelly is the brains behind cookies & cups, a blog focusing on what we all know and love: eating dessert first. Her cookbook, The Cookies & Cups Cookbook, is just the same– and home to 125 exclusive recipes, each with a photo. Shelly’s style of baking and cooking is quick and fuss-free and the cookbook is filled with irresistible breakfast recipes, simple family favorite dinners, and over the top desserts like S’mores Fudge Bars and Toffee Banana Cream Pie (omg!). Somehow Shelly always knows what you’re in the mood for. And you’ll LOVE it.

Shelly was kind enough to let me share a recipe with you and the moment I flipped to page 108, I was sold. And, at that very same moment staring at those little chocolate hazelnut gems, I somehow had a chocolate craving the size of Texas.

Houston, we have no problem.

(Those are swirls of Nutella on top!!)

About these brownies: I was so intrigued that Shelly didn’t add any chocolate or cocoa powder to the brownie batter and that all of the chocolate flavor comes from Nutella. So each brownie has this incredibly concentrated and sweet chocolate hazelnut flavor. It’s all you taste! Always a fan of a little sweet and salty action, I topped the brownies with sea salt. (Totally channeling my caramel stuffed Nutella cookies here!)

Another aspect I loved about the Nutella brownies is that they’re prepared in just 1 bowl. It’s practically zero mess, so clean up is a breeze. Waiting for the brownies to bake and cool? That’s another story. You’ll need a mixer to cream the butter and brown sugar together. Oh! And that’s another thing! She uses brown sugar, not white, to help sweeten the brownies. A gal after my own brown sugar lovin’ heart.

Simply put, these Nutella brownies are remarkable.

You haven’t had a brownie like this. Nutella brownies are yours for the taking!

clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon print print icon squares squares icon Nutella Brownies ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 from 28 reviews Author: Sally

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 36 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours, 45 minutes (includes cooling)

Yield: 12 brownies

Category: Brownies

Method: Baking

Cuisine: American Print Pin Description Completely outrageous Nutella brownies!! They’re rich, fudgy, chewy, dense, and perfect! Ingredients 1/3 cup ( 5 Tablespoons ; 72g ) unsalted butter , softened to room temperature

( ; ) , softened to room temperature 1/2 cup ( 100g ) packed light brown sugar

( ) packed light 2 large eggs , at room temperature

large , at room temperature 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 and 1/4 cups ( 370g ) Nutella , divided

and 1/4 cups ( ) , divided 1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup ( 94g ) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)

( ) (spoon & leveled) optional: 3/4 cup (135g) semi-sweet chocolate chips and sea salt Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides to easily lift the brownies out of the pan when cool. (If using a 9-inch pan, the bake time will be a few minutes less.) Set aside. With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes until creamed. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer running on low speed, add the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until combined, then beat in 1 cup Nutella and salt. Mix until smooth and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer running on low speed, add the flour, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix. If using chocolate chips, gently fold them in. Pour the batter into prepared baking pan. Drop teaspoonfuls of the remaining 1/4 cup Nutella on top. Using a knife, swirl the Nutella into the batter. Top with a sprinkle of sea salt. Bake the brownies for 32-36 minutes. Keep your eye on them and test with a toothpick to determine doneness. If the toothpick comes out with only a couple moist crumbs, the brownies are done. The brownies may take a few minutes longer; all ovens vary. Mine took 36 minutes. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack. Once cool, lift the foil out of the pan using the overhang on the sides and cut into squares. You can top each with more sea salt if desired. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They won’t last that long! Notes Freezing Instructions: For longer storage, freeze the brownies for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then bring to room temperature before serving. Recipe from The Cookies & Cups Cookbook with permission from author & publisher. Keywords: nutella brownies

The Cookies & Cups Cookbook will be available on April 12th. You can pre-order here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Indie Bound | Simon & Schuster/Amazon Kindle | Nook by B&N | iBooks | Google play

What are your current favorite cookbooks?? I’m also loving Skinny Mom’s Skinny Suppers. 125 healthier meals, all very simple and massively delicious. Or at least the 2 I’ve tried! (spicy cashew pork stir-fry and easy veggie lo mein)