Nutella Blondies
These easy Nutella bars bake up with a crackly top and a soft center with rich ribbons of melted chocolate hazelnut spread throughout. They're like a cross between a chewy chocolate chip cookie and a fudgy brownie PLUS the addition of Nutella and toffee bits. They're insanely delicious, easy to make and perfect for holiday baking!
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Nutella just makes everything better. This is a twist on a classic blondie with big swirls of Nutella running throughout. These bars are super easy, just mix, layer and bake!
I love using brown butter in recipes and it really takes these to the next level. You don't have to brown the butter, but it adds a toasty flavor that makes the bars so much better!
I like to chill the bars to give them a chewier bite, but they're great at room temperature too. They're also incredible warm with vanilla ice cream on top.
Creaming the butter, sugar and eggs is important too. It helps everything come together so the texture stays smooth.
Warming the Nutella makes it easier to spread, and dropping little scoops of batter over the top layer helps keep everything even.
They take about 22 to 25 minutes to bake depending on how gooey you like them. I usually go a bit longer to get crispier edges, but check them at 22 minutes if you prefer them softer.
Let them cool all the way so they set up and don't fall apart when you lift them out. Use a big sharp knife to cut them cleanly.
Want more brownie recipes? Try my cozy Espresso Brownies, these fudgy Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownies or my rich Tiramisu Brownies.
Why This Recipe Works
- It's an easy bar recipe that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
- Brown butter adds a toasty depth that makes the blondies taste richer.
- Warming the Nutella helps it ribbon through the batter for clean swirls.
- The recipe adapts easily for different mix-ins.
- The result is blondies with crisp edges, soft centers and a chewy bite that holds together beautifully once cooled.
Ingredients for Nutella Blondies
Chocolate and toffee bits - Use good quality chocolate chips or chop a bar into small pieces. You can use homemade toffee bits, store bought or even crushed up heath bars.
Sugar - Light or dark brown sugar both work well.
Butter - Use unsalted butter. Browning the melted butter adds a toasty flavor that makes these bars extra special.
Baking powder - Make sure your baking powder is fresh so the bars rise properly.
Salt - I use Diamond Crystal Kosher salt, which is less salty than other brands. You may need to adjust to taste.
*Find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below!
Helpful Equipment
- Large bowl
- 8 or 9 inch square baking pan
- Wooden spoon
- Electric mixer
- Heat safe dish
- Small saucepan
- Parchment paper
- Sharp knife
How to Make Nutella Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8 or 9 inch square prepared pan with parchment paper and cooking spray.
- Melt one stick (½ cup) of melted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until it turns golden and smells nutty. Turn off the heat, then pour it into a large bowl, being sure to scrape all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the remaining ¼ cup of butter and whisk until all of the butter is melted.
- Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, then whisk until smooth, then add the eggs one at a time, making sure each one is incorporated before adding in the next. Whisk in the vanilla to combine.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Transfer the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir to combine. Don't overmix.
- Add the chocolate chips and toffee bits and mix in evenly.
- Spread about half of the batter into the prepared pan.
- Place the jar of nutella in a heat safe dish and microwave for 10 to 15 seconds just to soften, or warm it on the stove over low heat.
Pro Tip: If your Nutella is stiff, warm it just enough to loosen it. It will spread more easily and create cleaner ribbons.
- Pour about half of the warm Nutella over the bottom layer of batter in ribbons and mix in slightly.
- Top with the remaining batter and spread out evenly.
- Pour the remaining Nutella over the top in a thick layer of nutella, then swirl it with a knife.
- Bake for about 22 to 25 minutes. When they're just set and golden brown on the edges but still a little soft in the middle, your bars are done.
- Let them cool completely so they set, then cut and enjoy.
Tips for Success
- Set out all your ingredients before you start. Only the eggs need to come to room temperature since the butter gets melted.
- When browning butter, it bubbles first, then foams. Once you see golden specks rising to the surface, it's ready.
- Add more chocolate chips, toffee bits or a pinch of salt on top before baking if you want a little extra.
- For clean slices, make sure the bars are cold, use a big sharp knife and wipe it between cuts.
- For thicker bars, bake the batter in an 8 inch pan and add a few extra minutes in the oven.
- Line the pan with parchment and let it hang over the sides so you can lift the bars out easily.
Variations
- Add a swirl of peanut butter along with the Nutella.
- Stir in chopped hazelnuts nuts for a little texture.
- Add a spoonful of cookie dough chunks to the batter for a cookie bars twist.
- Swap in a pistachio spread or another chocolate hazelnut spread if you don't have Nutella.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Nutella snack bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cloud of light Mascarpone Whipped Cream for a simple dessert.
They also pair nicely with an assortment of other cookies and desserts like these Italian Pignoli Cookies, a rich Ricotta Pie, my smooth Ricotta Cheesecake or a classic Affogato.
How to Store and Reheat
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. To keep them from drying out, press plastic wrap directly against the cut surfaces before sealing the container.
If you want them warm, heat a piece in the microwave for about 10 seconds until the Nutella softens again.
FAQs
You can double the recipe and bake Nutella bars in a 9 x 13-inch pan. You may need to adjust the cook time.
Warm it gently in the microwave or on the stove. When it loosens, it spreads smoothly and blends into the batter without tearing it.
Yes, one of the nice things about these bars is that you can mix the batter by hand easily in a large bowl. Just mix until combined so the texture stays tender.
Use parchment paper and cooking spray, making sure the paper covers the bottom of the pan and hangs over the sides.
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Easy Nutella Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter 12 tablespoons or 1½ sticks, divided and browned
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup toffee bits
- ½ cup Nutella divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8" or 9" square pan with parchment paper and cooking spray.
- Melt one stick (½ cup) of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until it turns golden and smells nutty. Turn off the heat, then pour it into a large bowl, being sure to scrape all of the brown bits on the bottom of the pan.
- Add the remaining ¼ cup of butter and whisk until all of the butter is melted.
- Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, then whisk until smooth, then add the eggs, one at a time, making sure each one is incorporated before adding in the next. Whisk in the vanilla to combine.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Transfer the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir to combine. Don't overmix.
- Add the chocolate chips and toffee bits and mix in evenly.
- Spread about half of the batter to the prepared pan.
- Place the nutella in a heat safe dish and microwave for just about 10-15 seconds just to soften. Alternatively you can warm it on the stove over low heat.
- Pour about half of the warm nutella over the top of the batter in ribbons and mix in slightly.
- Top with the remaining batter and spread out evenly over the first layer.
- Pour the remaining Nutella over the top in a ribbon then swirl it around a little bit with a knife.
- Bake for about 22-25 minutes. When they're just set and golden brown on the edges but still a little soft in the middle, your bars are done.
- Let them cool completely to set, then cut and enjoy!
Notes
- Set out all your ingredients before you start. Only the eggs need to come to room temperature since the butter gets melted.
- When browning butter, it bubbles first, then foams. Once you see golden specks rising to the surface, it's ready.
- Add more chocolate chips, toffee bits or a pinch of salt on top before baking if you want a little extra.
- For clean slices, make sure the bars are cold, use a big sharp knife and wipe it between cuts.
- For thicker bars, bake the batter in an 8 inch pan and add a few extra minutes in the oven.
- Line the pan with parchment and let it hang over the sides so you can lift the bars out easily.
