One of my new favorite “holidays” is World Nutella Day, hosted by Sara of Ms. Adventures in Italy. I am a relatively recent Nutella fan, having discovered it a couple of years ago. My love of this delicious chocolate-hazelnut spread was instantaneous, so I am more than happy to celebrate a day dedicated to such a deserving treat.
Last year, I celebrated Nutella Day with some delicious no-bake Nutella Oatmeal Cookies. This year’s celebratory treat is a bit tamer and comes to us courtesy of Martha Stewart. They are simple enough to make, as most bar recipes tend to be. My only problem was in finding an 8″x 11″ baking pan. I did eventually find one, but if you don’t have one you should be able to make them in a 9″x 13″ baking pan. They won’t be as thick, but that should be the only real difference. Keep in mind that with thinner bars, your baking time will probably need to be reduced.
These blondies have just a hint of Nutella in them, but are absolutely fabulous with a dollop of it right on top. The toasted hazelnuts are just wonderful. They really intensify the Nutella flavor. Even without the additional Nutella, these blondies are so, so good. The flavor of the brown sugar really comes through without being overwhelming. If you’re a fan of brown sugar, then these are definitely for you. If you’re a bigger fan of Nutella, then spread it on thick and enjoy!
Be sure to check back with Sara at Ms. Adventures in Italy on Wednesday, February 6th for a round-up of all the Nutella Day contributions.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 & 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped, with skins removed
- 1 heaping tablespoon Nutella + more for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8"x 11" baking pan. Line with parchment paper. Grease paper.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Beat melted butter and brown sugar until combined. Mix in eggs and vanilla.
Gradually add flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Stir in hazelnuts and Nutella.
Transfer dough to prepared pan. Press evenly into bottom of pan. Bake 25 minutes, or until a pick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
Cool in pan 15 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve with a dollop of Nutella.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Ooo, nutella and blondies – what a wonderful combination! And what better way to use the lonely bag of hazelnuts sitting in my pantry without purpose…till now!
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I’m so bummed I missed this…I love Nutella…and your blondies are to die for.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
You are a bake star! And I can vouch for your those brownies. Delish.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:29 am
i’m a nut for nutella.
(insert groan here)
February 4th, 2008 at 5:19 am
I would have instinctually incorporated nutella into a brownie, not blondie recipe. Subtlety seems smart in this situation, however.
February 4th, 2008 at 9:28 am
It’s so hard for me to keep Nutella in the house and not eat it all! These look great, even without the Nutella. I love the darker color.
February 4th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Fabulous photos and recipe; thanks so much for participating in World Nutella Day!
February 4th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Thanks, everyone!
February 4th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Mmm, this looks gorgeous. If only I didn’t have a brownie/blondie baking-block… oh well. Love the pictures!
February 4th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Just recently I tasted my first spoonful of Nutella & I am hopelessly hooked! btw—excellent recipe for your Death By Chocolate entry!
February 4th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Ohh how you continue to touture us with devine looking brownies.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
This recipe literally stopped me in my tracks. I was already to scroll on by but my mouse halted mid-scroll.
These look wonderful and I am excited to find another way to use one of my favorite nuts. Question: Do you think these would work with Brazil nuts?
February 4th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Indigo, do I even want to know about the baking-block? I couldn’t bear to do without brownies and blondies!
JEP, it’s divine, isn’t it? How I lived without it all those years, I’ll never know.
Kate, they’re not meant to be torturous!
Thanks, Sarah! I think this would work with just about any kind of nut. I’ve never baked with Brazil nuts, but it’s certainly worth a try.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
That peak of Nutella on top– sensational!
February 4th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I love all blondies! This one has a nice twist to it without being too out there. Your no-bake oatmeal nutella cookies sound great too.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
mmmm!! haven’t visited your blog in awhile but your pictures are so beautiful now!!! wish i had time to try out some of the recipes
February 4th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Mmm, nutella on blondies. I couldn’t think of a better combination
February 4th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Susan, that little dollop just kind of “dolloped” like that. I’m still amazed.
Julie, I highly recommend these. So, so good.
Thanks, joanh!
Whitney, it is very good indeed. Of course, Nutella on just about anything is okay in my book.
February 5th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Congrats on your DMBLGIT award
February 5th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Thanks, Maryann! I am very excited for my first win.
February 5th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Those look amazing! I wish I had of participated, I’ll just have to console myself by eating nutella out of the jar…
February 5th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
These look devine!!!
I love your blog.. so much inspiration!
February 5th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Brilynn, there are certainly worse things to console yourself with.
Thanks, That’s My Cake!
February 5th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
All I can say is Yum….those look so delicious.
February 5th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
You just have a knack for perfection – both photos & food…just makes me want to reach into my screen & eat it!
February 5th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Thanks, Julie! These are so, so good.
Mango Power Girl, you are too kind. Thank you!
February 6th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
jennifer , these brownie look so irresistible. Love that perfect looking dollop of chocolate
February 6th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
This recipe is definitely going into my ‘to bake’ pile. Yes, it’s a pile. This recipe and the Mascarpone Brownies!? You’re rockin. Seriously.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I love Nutella and these blondies look gorgeous! I just discovered your blog but I really enjoy what you have going on here. Well done!
February 6th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Thanks, Kate! No one can resist a big dollop of Nutella.
Thanks, Joy! I’m a sucker for a good brownie or bar recipe.
Aran, I’m glad you found me. Thanks for the compliments!
February 7th, 2008 at 5:33 am
love the photo! this recipe sounds beautiful and rich!
February 7th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I hope you have some of these left! Yummy-looking!!!
February 7th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Nutella + Brownie = Too good to be true!! Looks wonderful
February 7th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
OK…so I must be the last person on earth not to have tried Nutella….until NOW that is!!! Love it!!
Love your Recipes!!!!
Terri
http://www.burningkitchen.blogspot.com
February 7th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
These are so going on the recipe list for next week! Lip smacking good!
February 8th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Thanks, daphne! They are rich, but not too over the top.
Nan, sorry but these didn’t last long.
Chris, they are almost unbelievable. Thanks!
Terri, welcome to the world of Nutella. You may never be the same.
Thanks, Tartelette!
February 9th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Nutella is just the best thing!
And I really can’t wait to try these hazelnut blondies! (: I really like your blog!
February 10th, 2008 at 5:06 am
I missed Nutella day – boo! What a great idea for a holiday. Is there a world peanut butter day?
February 10th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Thanks, La’Laila. Nutella is pretty high up there on my list, for sure.
Golly, if there’s a world peanut butter day, I will definitley be celebrating.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:09 am
for a chocolate lover this treat is the most beautiful thing that’ll ever happen to them..imagine that gorgeously looking blondies swirled over by nutella…i’m totally in love
February 13th, 2008 at 11:46 am
dhanggit, thank you so much. These were so good. I miss them….
March 17th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I just made these this weekend, and they were a huge hit! Definitely one of my favorite desserts already, and it counldn’t have been easier to make. I baked mine in a 9×9 pan, and they turned out perfectly. And I added 1/2 cup bittersweet and 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. They were awesome… thanks for introducing me to this fabulous recipe!
March 17th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Kristin, I’m so glad you liked them! Good to know that they worked well in a 9×9 pan.
January 11th, 2013 at 9:32 am
Another yummy looking recipe – think I could substitute pecans for the hazelnuts? Would you recommend adding more nutella?
January 11th, 2013 at 9:41 am
Emily, pecans will work, although the hazelnuts emphasize the Nutella flavor. If you want more Nutella, I would just add more on top.