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Brownies are truly one of my very favorite things to bake, and Nutella Brownies seemed to be the ultimate flavor combination. So I went to work!
Nutella Brownies aren’t all that original. But this recipe is based on my Ultimate Brownie recipe which took SIX+ batches to perfect.
I tweaked that recipe slightly by adding a bunch of Nutella, of course, and some other tweaks like a bit of cocoa powder to absorb some of the extra moisture.
The result is something magnificent. I hope the photos really capture just how rich, fudgy, and gooey these brownies are, thanks to the jar of Nutella!
Homemade Nutella Brownies + a cold glass of milk = my idea of perfect. What’s yours?
If you make this Nutella Brownies recipe, be sure to snap a picture and tag me and #handletheheat on Instagram!
How to Make Nutella Brownies
Ingredients for Fudgy Nutella Brownies:
- Semisweet chocolate chips – You can’t forget the chocolate chips in the best Nutella brownies!
- Butter – I always recommend using unsalted butter in baking, so you’re in control of the total amount of salt used in the recipe.
- Unsweetened chocolate, chopped – I use chopped unsweetened chocolate baking bars. You could also use more semi-sweet chocolate chips instead, just note they won’t melt down as easily. Using semi-sweet chocolate will also sweeten your brownies a little more.
- Granulated sugar – Regular granulated sugar sweetens and moistens the brownies. Sugar does so much more than just sweetening baked goods – learn more about that here.
- Nutella – This chocolate hazelnut spread is the star ingredient of these brownies!
- Eggs & an egg yolk – 3 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk provides the perfect texture.
- Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavor perfectly.
- All-purpose flour – Measured accurately! Too much flour can result in a crumbly, dry, or dense texture instead of rich, fudgy brownies.
- Cocoa powder – Again, it’s so important to measure cocoa powder correctly to achieve the best brownie texture. More on this ingredient below.
- Fine sea salt – Balances out the sweetness.
What’s the Best Cocoa Powder for Nutella Brownies?
Since there’s no leavener (baking soda or baking powder) in these Nutella Brownies, you can use Dutch Process OR natural unsweetened cocoa powder. I find that unsweetened cocoa powder creates the perfect chocolate flavor and lets the Nutella shine through.
Learn more about the differences between Dutch Process Cocoa powder vs. Natural Cocoa Powder in this article.
What’s the Best Pan for Brownies?
When baking brownies, I highly recommend using a metal baking pan. I like this baking pan, but any quality metal baking pan that isn’t too dark in color will work just fine. Some tips on pans:
- The darker the color, the more likely you are to burn the edges or have dry brownies.
- Glass or ceramic baking pans will take LONGER to bake these brownies, and the texture may become denser.
- Read more about Glass vs. Metal Baking Pans here!
- Bonus tip: I like to line my pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang so I can easily lift out the entire pan of brownies to cut and serve.
Can this Nutella Brownie Recipe be Doubled?
Yes! You can easily double this Nutella Brownies recipe and bake in a 9 by 13-inch metal baking pan for about 35 to 40 minutes.
How to Cut Perfect Slices of Brownies
I like to use a sharp chef’s knife to cut perfect slices. I have a guide with step-by-step instructions for perfectly cutting brownies – check it out here!
How to Get Crinkly Crusts on Brownies
You know that tissue-thin shiny crust on top of brownies that we all love and want? It’s actually so easy to achieve! Here’s how:
- Basically, you need to beat the eggs and sugar in the brownie batter extremely well to create a sort of foam.
- Simply use a whisk to beat the wet ingredients together extremely well until the batter itself is ultra smooth and shiny.
- I created an entire article dedicated to achieving crinkly crusts in brownies – check it out here!
How to Store & Freeze Nutella Brownies
Store Nutella Brownies in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the fridge. Freeze completely cooled slices wrapped in plastic wrap and stored inside an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost by placing in the fridge overnight, or at room temperature for a few hours.
More Brownie Recipes You’ll Love:
More Nutella Recipes:
-
1
cup
(170 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
-
1 1/2
sticks (170 grams) unsalted butter,
cut into pieces
-
4
ounces
(113 grams) unsweetened chocolate,
chopped
-
1 1/4
cups
(245 grams) granulated sugar
-
1/2
cup
(150 grams) Nutella
-
3
large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
-
1
teaspoon
vanilla extract
-
3/4
cup
(96 grams) all-purpose flour
-
1/4
cup
unsweetened (25 grams) cocoa powder
-
1/4
teaspoon
fine sea salt
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch *metal* baking pan with foil or parchment, leaving an overhang, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
-
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, butter, and unsweetened chocolate. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute then stir. Continue heating in 30-second bursts, stirring between each burst, until the mixture is melted and smooth but not scorched. Remove from the microwave and let cool slightly. Stir in the Nutella.
-
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs and sugar on medium-high speed until light and thick, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. Stir in the cooled chocolate mixture with a rubber spatula. Add the flour, cocoa, and salt, folding gently until combined.
-
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake until a toothpick or tester comes out with moist crumbs still attached, 35 to 40 minutes. Do not overbake, you want to err on the side of underbaking. Let cool to room temperature. Serve at room temperature, warmed, or chilled.
Nutella Brownies taste best the day they are baked but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the fridge.
Brownies are even more fudgy when they’re chilled!
The Nutella flavor is slightly muted with baking. To punch it up, add a tablespoon of Frangelico to the batter or 1 cup of toasted chopped hazelnuts, if you want a bit of crunch.
Hello! Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar? would that alter the taste/texture a lot?
Hi Farah! Feel free to experiment, but using brown sugar will bring more moisture to these brownies as it contains more molasses, which will change the flavor slightly and the texture more. We always recommend baking a recipe as written the first time, then experimenting as you like from there as needed. This way, you have a baseline for how the recipe should turn out, and you can make adjustments until it meets your preferences. I hope that helps. Happy baking!
These are delicious. I ran out of unsweetened chocolate and used dark chocolate for the other 2 ozs and it was great. I only baked them for 30 minutes and they were perfect. My family loved them, and I will definitely make again!
These are delicious. I only baked them for 30 minutes and they were perfect. Ran out of unsweetened chocolate so used dark chocolate for the other 2 ozs and it was yummy. Family loved them, and I will definitely make again!
Hi! Can I incorporate macadamia nuts in the brownie mixture?
Hi Pao! Yes, feel free to add a cup of any nut you like to this recipe. Enjoy!
Can you not use the unsweetened chocolate in these? I’m 12 and not a great baker at all and I just enjoy making simple recipes.
Hi Victoria! No, unfortunately these brownies won’t be the same without the chocolate. You could try a dark or bittersweet chocolate instead, but skipping the ingredient entirely will definitely mess the recipe up. If you don’t have those ingredients on hand, I suggest trying Tessa’s Chewy Brownie recipe – they’re super simple, require no melted chocolate (just chocolate chips inside!) and are soooo delicious! Happy baking 🙂
These Nutella brownies are excellent. I baked them for 34 minutes. My husband said one of the best brownies ever!
So excited to hear that you love these brownies, Candace – and what a great compliment from your husband!! So wonderful to hear 🙂
This Nutella recipe has been to venues in Minnesota, Lake Erie and Lake Superior for family gatherings and reunions and you made me look like a five star pastry chef!! Rave reviews at every gathering so needless to say it’s a keeper and I always have a stock in my freezer for impromptu visits…thank you for sharing these delicious brownies.
Hi Judy! Wow, what a compliment!! We are so thrilled to hear that these brownies have been such a hit! Thank you so much for the comment 🙂
I should add that I iced mine with a ganache topping…yum more chocolate!
Can you use coconut flour instead of the all purpose?
Hi Domenica! We haven’t tried that, so I couldn’t say for sure, but I don’t think it would work as well. Coconut flour doesn’t contain the same protein levels, binding agents and structure-building agents that regular all-purpose flour does, so the texture and chemistry of the recipe would be thrown way off. Feel free to experiment and see what works for you, though! 🙂
Loved it. I added some chopped hazelnuts on top of the brownie and it accentuated the nutella flavour even more. I’ve made this twice already and will definitely make them again!
So happy to hear you love these brownies, Namrita!!
These look intimidating, have no fear though, these brownies will amaze you. My neighbors loved them. They did take about 45 minutes to cook because I had only a glass pan. I also added about a teaspoon of instant espresso powder and cut the sugat 1/4 a cup. I will never make another brownie recipe. I also added additional dollops of Nutelka to the top of the batter and swirled into the top layer. I did have to cover them after about 10 mibutes as they started to get to dark. Nice jobb to the chef. The only con…you will want to eat he whole pan by yourself.
Del.ici.ious- I wasn’t a brownie fan before I tried your recipes!!
Yay!! So happy you love them!
I’ve made these before and they truly are excellent I’m making them again next week but would like to put a frosting on them too. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Ooo that’s a tough one, as so many would be delicious! How about our Best Buttercream? We include a bunch of flavor add-ins above the recipe…I personally think strawberry would be delicious, though there’s quite a few options to choose from 🙂 Making the brownies and then piping the buttercream on each brownie square would look so pretty! If you follow Handle the Heat on Instagram, be sure to use the hashtag #handletheheat so Tessa can see your brownies! Enjoy!
I wanted to add some nuts, what do you suggest? Do I need to adjust the ingredients?
Hi Val! Tessa actually added a note about this at the bottom of the recipe! Add a cup of toasted chopped hazelnuts to the batter! No other adjustments are needed. Let us know what you think once you have given these brownies a try! 🙂
To be honest, I was skeptical about using this recipe after seeing a couple of bad reviews. But thought I’d give it a go anyway since there were good reviews too and thought it could be the bakers’ problem not the recipe’s and I’m glad I did because they turned out really well- so chocolatey and fudgey!
Happy you loved this recipe! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Hi Tessa. Unsweetened chocolate is not an easy ingredient to get where I’m living. What can I substitute that with? Thank you.
Hi there! We haven’t tried other chocolate in the recipe, so I can’t say for sure. Other readers have used semisweet, reducing 1 tablespoon of sugar per ounce and it worked for them. Let us know how it goes if you give it a try!
Hi, how long this brownies can be kept in room temp & in refrigerator? I planned to make one and send one to my sister in different city that takes 1-2days delivery. Thanks!
Hi Azkiah! So glad you asked, I just added that to the instructions! The brownies are best the day they are baked, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the fridge. They are even more fudgy when they’re chilled 🙂
I’ll admit I’m not a huge nutella fan, but my husband LOVES it. I’ve made him nutella brownies before and wanted to do it again for his birthday. I came here because Handle the Heat is quickly replacing all my ‘favorite’ recipes I’ve used forever (sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies) and this one was no different. I’ve purged my other nutella brownie recipe and will only use this one from now on. Super moist, super delicious.
So amazing to hear, Katie! Thrilled you’re enjoying our recipes so much! Thanks for taking the time to comment, we appreciate it! 🙂
Baked for 35 mins came out dry, cakey and not very chocolatey at all. Did not taste any hazelnut. Would not try again and will probably have to toss. Very disappointing. Would prefer literally any box mix to these.
Sorry you experienced issues with your brownies, Samara! Do you use a digital scale to measure your ingredients? Dry, cakey brownies typically happen when too much flour is added. What kind of pan did you use to bake them in? These brownies are incredibly fudgy and chewy, I’d love to figure out what happened and hope you try this recipe again so you can enjoy them the way they’re meant to be! Please let me know if you’d like help further troubleshooting what happened.
In my area we dont hv unsweetened chocolate so how much sugar do u suggest i use
We haven’t tested that, so I can’t say for sure!
Is there any adjustments for high altitude? I followed the directions and it came out way too wet. I cooked it for almost 10 minutes more. Still way underdone.
Sorry to hear that, Shannon! We’ve not baked at a HA, so we’re not familiar with it. We suggest either following your usual adjustments from baking at HA, or checking out King Arthur Baking’s article here for more help: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/learn/resources/high-altitude-baking
Wow very very tasty
Hi! Can i double this recipe?
Absolutely! Just use a 9×13 pan 🙂 Enjoy your brownies!
Hi
We dont eat eggs
So can you help me with a egg free receipe of replacment of egg in this receipe
Hi there! We don’t publish egg-free recipes, sorry!
I kept adding a few more minutes to the maximum cooking time… and a few more and a few more. The top layer was hard and dry, while the inside was still runny! Too bad. The batter was yummy. These are just too thick. Maybe they would cook better in a 9X13 pan. This was way too much batter for an 8X8 pan.
Sorry to hear you had issues with this recipe, Beej! What type of pan were you using? Was it light or dark-colored? It sounds like that may be the issue if the exterior of the brownies was finished baking before the inside. Do you use a digital scale to measure your ingredients?
I used a lighter colored pan and lined it with foil, as stated in the recipe. I noticed the pan was very full, as I poured the batter in and wondered if they would cook correctly. If I make these again, I’ll just try using a 9X13 pan. And no, I don’t use a digital scale, but I’ve made homemade brownies a million times, along with other baked goods, and I’ve never used a digital scale. Thanks for your quick response! Happy baking!
My 14 year old daughter just made these and she says they are the best brownies she has ever had in her life!! Thanks for an amazing recipe and for helping my daughter learn how to bake :).
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, Daphne, you just made my day! I’m so excited your daughter is learning how to bake and that she loves these brownies!!
I made this last night and it was amazing! Great texture. I just don’t think it tastes very much like Nutella.
Can we skip cooking spray
No, otherwise the brownies will stick to the pan. If you don’t have cooking spray, be sure to butter/flour your baking pan, then butter the parchment when placed in the pan.
This is the best brownie recipe I’ve ever made. And I’ve made a ton of recipes.
Just one little tweak I made was instead of using regular butter, I browned the butter before using it.
Delicious! I think brown butter makes everything better, yum! 🙂
This recipe is sooo amazing! I didnt have nutella so I used cookie butter and it was still delicious. The brownie also looked exactly how it was supposed to look. This did take longer than it was supposed to take though. Over all٫ this is amazing!
P.S. I wanted to give the recipe 4 and a 1/2 stars but it wouldn’t let me.
I’m sure it was delicious with cookie butter, yum! The time it takes in your oven can vary depending on the type of pan used as well as your oven temperature accuracy 🙂
Hi. How do I achieve the thick kind of brownies? I have tried the recipe but it is not very thick. Please advise. Thanks
Valerie, what size pan are you using? I’d recommend an 8×8-inch metal pan to achieve the same thickness as shown in the photos 🙂 I’d also recommend getting a digital scale to measure your ingredients if you don’t have one yet, which will ensure accuracy in your ingredients. Good luck!
Hi. Currently, I am using 9 x 9 inch square pan. If I use 9 x 9, am I able to achieve the thick brownies ? I will take note. Thank you.
I personally use an 8×8 pan, like this USA Pan linked here The larger your pan, the less thick your brownies will be 🙂
Can they be made with a brownie mix?
I haven’t tried this brownie recipe with a box mix 🙂 Just purely homemade!
Best Brownies I’ve ever made!
I made these brownies yesterday and it turned out really good! Rich, chewy, fudgy goodness with a hint of Nutella in every bite! Definitely a recipe worth trying out! I followed the recipe to the t and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t overly sweet (because of the sugar, chocolate and Nutella). I also added roasted chopped hazelnuts for a crunch. Making these brownies again, for sure! 🙂
So happy you love these brownies, Tracy! Great idea adding in chopped hazelnuts, I’m sure it tasted incredible!
These look amazing! I’m making them this Friday. Do you know if they freeze well? Otherwise I’ll end up eating the whole batch in one weekend. Thanks!
I haven’t tried freezing these, but it should be fine! Just cut them into squares and store in an airtight container.
Good evening Tessa… I baked this brownies, and I must say they were incredible… i gave them to a couple of friends as a gift and they were surprised.. so moist.. so decadent.. jeje.. they’re a success.. I only added 1 tsp of nutella on top and sprinkle of chocolate chips and we were done!!.. jeje.. incredible.. love them.. thank you very much..
Perfect! So happy you loved these brownies!!
THESE ARE THE BEST BROWNIES EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! I made these for my family and friends, and they absolutely loved them!!! Highly recommend!!!!!
Thank you very much, Eliza, for your enthusiastic review 🙂 I so appreciate it!
What are your thoughts on replacing the 1/4 cup cocoa powder with a chocolate protein powder?
I haven’t tried that, but the brownies would probably have more of a chalky and less sweet taste!
Can you make these ahead and freeze them?
That should work!
These are INCREDIBLE!!
Rich, thick and chocolately! So good! Gave four stars because they need a bit more hazelnut flavor. I would have added chopped hazelnuts if I had any and then they would have been perfect!
So glad you enjoyed these brownies!
If a chocolate lover could have only one dream granted, this is it!!!! Everyone loved these and my mama literally stuffed herself with these♥️
So glad these brownies were enjoyed!
First time brownie baker and I’m not going to lie, I didn’t know how these were going to turn out until everyone at raved about them, including my super picky husband who ended up eating my brownie! They came out perfect
Yay! This is wonderful to hear!
Could i just use nutella instead of the unsweetened chocolate?
I would recommend using the unsweetened chocolate!