Join Me in My Addiction!

Thank you for visiting my blog...and for allowing me to share with you my addiction. I love to collect recipes. I love to read cookbooks. I have been collecting recipes for as long as I can remember, and on any given day there are one or two (or more!) cookbooks residing on my nightstand!

This blog is chronicling my adventure as I fulfill my resolution of trying (at least) one new recipe each week. I hope that you enjoy!

I invite you to join me in my journey, simply by clicking the "Join this Site" link below. And please feel free to comment on any of the recipes, and pin away. Thanks, I look forward to sharing with you!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Fudgey Nutella Brownies with Cream Cheese Icing



A few weeks ago, Amy from One Artsy Mama posted on Facebook that she had never tried Nutella before.  Well, neither had I, and so I commented that I was in the same boat.  Sure, I see lots of recipes with Nutella in the link parties that I host and participate in, but I had just never ever tried it, or thought to try it in some baking.  Well, that all changed when Amy issued a challenge last week, inviting all of us - new and not new to Nutella, to join her at "Go Nuts Day" and to take part in her link party!  Of course I HAD to accept the challenge, and I was off, searching for a recipe for my family!

Over at Averie Cooks, I found this recipe for Fudgey Nutella Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting.  These sounded divine, so I chose this recipe for "Go Nuts Day"...here is the recipe:

Fudgey Nutella Brownies


4 squares Baker's Chocolate (semi-sweet)
3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons espresso or brewed coffee (optional)
1 cup flour
1/2 cup to 2/3 cup Nutella

Preheat oven to 350F.

Foil line a 9 x 13 pan (or in my case, an 8 x 12 pan) with tin foil and spray with cooking spray.

Melt the chocolate and the butter.  You can do this in a saucepan or in the microwave.  I went the microwave route and heated the two for 45 seconds, enough to melt the butter, and then stirred the chocolate and butter until the chocolate was melted and mixed well. 

Stir in the sugar, followed by the eggs and then the vanilla.  If you choose to add in the espresso, do so now (I did).

Stir in the flour until just moistened, approximately 30 strokes. Do not overmix!  Pour the batter into your prepared pan.

Measure out your Nutella and drop/drizzle/dollop along the top of the brownie mixture.  Do not stir it in.  Use a knife to make swirls with the Nutella in the top of the brownie mixture.

Bake the brownies for 25-28 minutes.  Be sure to check at 25 minutes to see if a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow the brownies to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 package cream cheese (8 ounces), softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups of icing sugar (or more, depending on your icing preference)

Combine the cream cheese and butter, mix very well.  Be sure to scrape sides of mixing bowl with spatula to ensure proper mixing.  Mix until smooth.  Slowly add the icing sugar until desired consistency is achieved.  When the brownies are cooled, thinly ice them with the frosting.  Too much frosting takes away from the fudgey goodness of the brownies.

Store brownies in an air tight container in the fridge.  These will also feeze for up to three months.

The original recipe notes that this frosting recipe makes WAY more icing than you will need.  Please do take note!  You can cut the recipe in half and still have plenty of icing to frost the brownies.

VERDICT:
At first, I over-iced the brownies, and found that the icing, which is delicious, took away from the fudgey goodness of the brownies.  My husband agreed.  So, I took some of the frosting off of the brownies, and just like that...AMAZING.  Tasty, fugdey, brownies.  Next time I would probably skip the espresso, neither of us noticed the flavouring.  But we did notice the Nutella.  Not overwhelming, but still good.  Oh and we all enjoyed licking the Nutella spoons and measuring cup when I was prepping the dessert.  Our 5 year old just said "mmmmmmm" when he tried the Nutella.  A nice treat!

Thank you Amy for issuing the Nutella challenge and for hosting us at "Go Nuts Day"!

81 comments:

  1. Oh these looks divine!

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  2. Replies
    1. And they are tasting even better the next day....oh dear! So glad I sent a tray to work with my hubby!

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  3. These look yummy!! I totally want to make them RIGHT NOW! :)

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  4. Hey Dawn, these look really good! I love anything Nutella! Great recipe!

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  5. oh. my. gosh. These sound sooooo delicious!! Did you save me one? Thanks for linking them up to the Nutty Party!

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    1. Sorry...we ate them all! Next time I'll send some your way ;-)

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  6. Wow - they look incredible! I don't normally bake but I think you've inspired me!!!
    Lisa

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  7. This looks absolutely delicious... fyi... I too have never tried Nutella. snicker, snicker... hehehe

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  8. It looks really good. But Nutella is banned in my house. As soon as it is open, I sit with it and a spoon. Not good.

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    1. LOL...my 5 year old is now a big fan of PB, J & Nutella sandwiches. I may have to pu tthe jar out of his reach!

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  9. Anything with Nutella is bound to be good.
    And yes, I lick 'em off with a spoon, too. Haha!

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  10. Oh I haven't tried nutella either but you might have just convinced me! :)

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    1. It's aice little treat...and I can see how it is addictive :-)

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  11. I think you Aced the challenge - these look yummy!Just send me the leftovers - thx!!
    Leigh
    www.oneandoneequalstwinfun.com

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    1. I would love to Leigh...if there were any! LOL Thanks for visiting!

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  12. I have had Nutella before, but I haven't heard of this idea, which sounds delish! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You're welcome! I'm inspired to try other recipes with Nutella now too. Change it up a bit!

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  13. I just love all things Nutella - don't you? These sound heavenly! Thanks for hosting this great party!

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  14. I am such a Nutella addict! These look fantastic! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & come back soon ~EMM

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    1. Hard to beleive I missed a week (vacation) - but I'm back! Love your party :-)

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  15. Thanks so much for linking this wonderful dessert at Heavenly Treats Sunday!

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  16. I eat Nutella straight from the jar:-) These brownies look divine! So glad you finally tried Nutella and joined the rest of us addicted ones!! Have a great week.

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    1. LOL - I'm worried about our 5 year old...he's become the addict in our house. Now he asks for a PB, J& Nutella sandwich everyday!

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  17. These look fabulous!
    I love chocolate and cheese together

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  18. I really want to try these. I put up my Nutella Rice Krispie Treats on her link up. They were super good, too. I am so loving Nutella now!Thanks for sharing these at Must Try Monday.

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    1. I CANNOT wait to try your rice krispie treats - they caught my eye right away at the party!

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  19. These sound incredible and I can't wait to try. I'll take your advice and use a little less frosting. Pinned!

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    1. Yes - certainly do. The photos show the "before scraping" - and we found them to be too much. But after scraping...oh the brownie flavour was just so good! Thanks for pinning!

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  20. Mouth watering, adding ingredients to my grocery list!

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  21. BIG nutella fan! these look great

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  22. I love Nutella, but then I switched to Justin's chocolate hazelnut spread because their chocolate is ethically sourced. Either way chocolate hazelnut is a great spread and I will have to try the brownies. Thanks!

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  23. I'm surprised the espresso didn't add a little flavor. Coffee and Nutella sound like such a yummy combination. Either way, they still sound delicious. We'd love for you to link up with us for Tasty Tuesday over at aletteredlife.blogspot.com!

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    1. I agree about the espresso! Maybe it did make a difference and I just didn't notice with all the other goodness :-) Thank you for the invitation to come by your blog!

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  24. If only there were more recipes that include Nutella! It is sooo goood.

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  25. looks so nice

    would love it if you could share this on my link party - http://serenityyou.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/serenity-saturday-47.html

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    1. Hi Natasha! I will be sure to stop by - I've added your party button to my list :-)

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  26. The boyfriend has a slight nut allergy so I always assumed that nutella was one of things I couldn't use in my baking. He just told me that he likes Nutella and it doesn't bother him. A whole new world of possibilities :) Pinning these to try soon!

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    1. WOOHOO!!!!

      We have an almond allergy here at home - my hubby - so I am always careful too. So many great recipes with almonds that I can't make :-( But Nutella is good in our house too!

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  27. Oh my goodness, these look amazing! I'm not much of a chocolate eater but I LOVE brownies! Can't wait to try this recipe. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday this week. I can't wait to see what you link up next. Have a great weekend.

    Michelle

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  28. Love the cream cheese icing. Glad I found you through It's a Keeper's linky party. I linked in bacon and scrambled egg rolls. Have a super week.

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    1. Thanks Carole! Great recipe :-) And I love the cream cheese icing...like bacon, it makes so many things better!

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  29. This looks CRAZY delicious!!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!

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  30. My mouth is watering!!! Those look delicious!
    Thanks for sharing with my Super Link Party! :-)
    ~Susie~

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  31. Nutella and cream cheese frosting? You do know the way to my heart! These look deadly good! Thank you for sharing them at the party this week! I love it!

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  32. Is there anything that Nutella can't make awesome?! Must make this...looks soooo good!

    Would love for you to share at my link party at The Purple Pumpkin Blog!

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    1. I'm beginning to see the light! Thanks for stopping by and for the invitaion!

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  33. These look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  34. This recipe looks heavenly! Hope you have a fantastic week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. They are pretty tasty, Miz Helen! Thanks for hosting another great party!

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  35. These brownies look delicious. I love anything that has nutella in it, so I have to try these! Thanks for sharing at Showcase Your Talent Thursday!

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  36. oh my, this looks sinfully delicious! I'm new to your blog and am loving your posts.

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    1. Welcome!!! And thank you :-) I'm starting to crave them again...

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  37. Oh my word, definitely can't eat just one of these! Please don't forget to like us on Facebook Thank you for linking to Foodie Friday!

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    1. Thanks for hosting! Been a fan for a while now :-)

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  38. These look absolutely sinful - and delicious! Visiting from Fabulous Friday :)

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  39. Thanks Peggy! I have stopped by and shared :-)

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  40. These look delicious!! I'd love to have you link this up to Tasty Thursdays on The Mandatory Mooch. It's a new linky party starting today. Hope to see you there. Thanks, Nichi
    http://mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/2012/07/tasty-thursdays-1.html

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  41. Yum! Thank you for sharing on Saturday Show and Tell. I hope you'll join us again this week with some more great ideas!
    -Mackenzie
    http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com

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