May 15, 2013

nuts for nutella

I've posted some ho-hum stuff lately (hey--they can't all be culinary masterpieces like this or this), but I'm really, really excited to share these brownies.


Cream cheese brownies always have the potential to be really pretty--those white swirls against the dark brown of the bars is quite lovely. Plus, they're tasty, as the tangy notes of the cream cheese are a great companion to the rich chocolate. Nutella takes all of these wonderful qualities and escalates them.

It's a scratch on my lens, I promise!

They're still stunning to behold, but now, they're laced with a special nutty sweetness that only Nutella can provide. Sure, you can use peanut butter or jam or just about anything in its place, but ultimately, there is no worthy substitute for Nutella.

Yeah, I'm a fan.

Nutella Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
Ingredients:
Brownies:
  • 6 ounces butter
  • 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 4 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup walnuts or hazelnuts, chopped
Filling:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ounce butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup Nutella
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with non-stick spray or grease lightly.
Melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave or over low heat, stirring until smooth.
Beat in the sugars, then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the flour, salt, and nuts.
Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
In a separate bowl or food processor, beat together the cream cheese, egg, sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and Nutellauntil smooth.
Distribute the cream cheese mixture in eight dollops across the top of the brownie mixture, then take a dull knife or spatula and swirl the cream cheese mixture with the chocolate batter. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the batter in the center of the pan feels just set.
Let cool completely before cutting. And hey--cut 'em small. These suckers are rrrrrich.


Ah, symmetry.

18 comments:

  1. Those brownies looks and sound terrific!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Oh yum! (you've got cat fur on a brownie - I am so pleased. I have SO many pictures where cat fur wafted onto the dish).

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  3. I love those swirls...such a pretty presentation, always. Yummy recipe, Grace.
    (Cat fur? I actually had to search for that...so familiar...and it made me smile. Probably annoyed you, though.)
    Cookbook on the way as of yesterday.

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  4. These are so pretty---and, like bacon, Nutella really does make everything better :)

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  5. Oh Grace, this sounds so so tempting...love the texture of this brownies...nutella and cream cheese...YUM!
    Hope you are having a great week :)

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  6. Definitely one of my favourite recipes of yours :)
    So deliciously chocolatey!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  7. Well I can't think of a single recipe you've posted lately that was merely ho hum...but whatever you say. These look out of this world good. Fudgy nutella heaven.

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  8. I have a secret. I've NEVER tried Nutella. I think it's probably a good thing because I would eat the whole jar. These brownies look drool worthy.

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  9. Yes, yes and yes!! I can totally see why this would make the most blissful brownies Grace!

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  10. Mmmmmm.....anything with Nutella is good, but these look amazing!! Totally agree that there's no substitute for Nutella!! I love the filling to brownie ratio ;)

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  11. There are definitely no worth substitutes to Nutella!! Gosh I want a slice of that brownie right now...

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  12. Grace ny kids really love nutella!!
    this look stunning!

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  13. Your brownies are gorgeous! If my family sees this post, I will definitely be making them this afternoon.

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  14. Oh my! These look divine, definitely an indulgence :)

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  15. Those are gorgeous, too bad I am one of those heathens who dislikes Nutella. :)

    Hey are you watching Graceland? Orphan Black? Defiance?

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