Nutella Brown Butter Blondies

These Nutella Brown Butter Blondies are more than just dessert. They’re a little slice of comfort. I first made them on a rainy afternoon when I needed something cozy and indulgent. Now they’ve become a family favorite. The crackly top gives way to a gooey, rich center swirl with Nutella and browned butter.

I love to make portable, packable snacks like my twix bar cookie or my salted caramel cookie bars. Try them when you want a delicious treat.

Why this Nutella Brown Butter Blondies Recipe is a Keeper

Brown butter elevates the flavor to new caramel-nutty heights, while Nutella adds that rich, indulgent surprise that my family just loves. It is a easy pan-bake that feels luxe.

• Perfect Texture: They strike the ideal balance – fudgy and dense in the center, with slightly chewy edges, and often a delightful crinkly top. The fat content from the butter and Nutella contributes to this desirable chewiness.
• Easy Elegance: While they taste incredibly gourmet, the actual process is straightforward. Browning butter is a simple technique that yields huge flavor dividends, making these an impressive dessert without excessive effort.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The familiar comfort of Nutella combined with the elevated taste of brown butter makes these universally loved. They disappear quickly at potlucks, parties, or simply as a family treat.
• Versatile: They’re rich enough to be served on their own, but also pair beautifully with ice cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Pantry-Friendly: Most ingredients are likely already in your kitchen, making them an easy go-to for a delicious dessert.

Should Nutella be Dolloped in Frozen or at Room Temp (Swirled vs Stuffed)? 

It’s best to dollop room temperature Nutella so that it can easily be swirled with a knife. However, you can use frozen dollops for stuffed blondies.

Ingredient Notes for the Best Blondies

All of the required ingredients are easy to find at the store, but some of the ingredients may be around the kitchen already.

Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

• Butter: Brown unsalted butter until it’s foamy, has a nutty aroma and golden brown bits.
• Nutella: Use frozen dollops for stuffed bars or room-temperature for swirls in hazelnut recipes.
• Brown Sugar: I like to use light brown sugar, but you can use dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.

Variations and Substitutions for the Brown Butter Brownies

There’s a couple different swaps you can make to make this blonde brownie recipe extra delicious.

• Add-Ins: Add chopped hazelnuts to chocolate chip cookies for extra texture
• Sea Salt: Sprinkle flaky salt on top for contrast.
• Chocolate Chips: Add in milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate or butterscotch chips for extra flavor. Feel free to use chopped chocolate chunks for chocolate puddles.
• Gluten-Free: Use your favorite GF flour blend for this blonde brownies recipe.
• Topping: Use melted chocolate, like bittersweet chocolate, to add chocolate to the tops of the blondies.
• Vegan Alternative: Use plant-based butter and egg replacer to make these one bowl brown butter blondies.

Special Equipment Needed to Make Brown Butter Blondies

To make this chocolate chip blondies recipe, you will need a couple different kitchen items to make it just right.

• Heavy-Bottomed Saucepan: You will need a large saucepan to brown the butter.
• Baking Pan: An 8×8 (or 9×9) pan lined with parchment paper is perfect for making this brown butter blondie recipe.
• Mixer: Quickly and easily mix the ingredients with an electric mixer.

How to Make these Brown Butter Blondies

In just 5 steps, you can have your very own batch of blondies. This recipe takes just a little effort but the results are well worth it.

Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

1. Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Preheat the oven, and butter a square baking pan. Be sure to line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper.
2. Brown the Butter: In a large pot, brown the butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and add the brown sugar and vanilla. In the meantime, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
3. Make the Batter: Use a mixer to whip in the eggs. When light and fluffy, add the dry ingredients. Mix until there are no lumps remaining.
4. Add the Nutella: Evenly spread the batter in the bottom of the pan. By the spoonful, dollop the Nutella evenly over the top and drag a knife through to swirl it. Bake until the edges are golden brown and the middle is slightly gooey. Let cool for 2 hours before cutting.

Prep Ahead Suggestions for Chewy Brown Butter Blondies

To streamline your baking process, here are some ways you can prep these brownies in advance:

• Brown Butter: Brown your butter a day or two in advance. Once it’s browned and cooled, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before using, gently re-melt it over low heat or in the microwave until just liquid again.
• Dry Ingredients: Whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder (if using) in a large mixing bowl. Cover and set aside until ready to combine with the wet ingredients.
• Pre-Measured Ingredients: Measure out all your ingredients (wet and dry) into separate bowls or containers. This “mise en place” makes assembly incredibly quick and stress-free.
• Prepare Pan: Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This makes lifting the cooled brownies out incredibly easy. You can do this hours or even a day before baking.

Common Questions About This Hazelnut Recipe