Today I want to share with you one of my new favorites, Brownies with a Nutella topping.  I recently found this recipe and like I do with so many, I make slight changes to suit my tastes.

This brownie is not only rich and chocolaty but also slightly gooey.  I suggest keeping it in the pan until ready to serve as opposed to placing it on a cookie tray.  I always eat them with a fork.  I was asked to make something sweet for Thanksgiving this year, and rather than opting for the traditional pumpkin, pecan or apple pie, I thought chocolate would be a good route to take, and I was right, they were very well received.

Brownies with Nutella Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 9″ baking pan with foil and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.

1 cup butter

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Topping:

1/2 cup Nutella

1 cup toffee bits (I buy the already chopped heath bar bits, you can find them in the aisle with chocolate chips)

To start, melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in sugar and remove from heat. Cool for 5 minutes.

While butter is melting, in small bowl mix together the dry ingredients and set aside

In large mixing bowl, place the sugar, once the butter is melted pour over the top of the sugar, allow butter-sugar mixture to cool for a few minutes.  Next, add eggs, one at a time, whisking until combined, then add vanilla extract. Once that is thoroughly mixed add the dry ingredients, add in small increments making sure the dry mixture is thoroughly mixed in.  The consistency should be shiny and there should be no flour streaks remaining. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake for 28-33 minutes, bake for less time if you want a gooey brownie.

Remove from oven when done baking and while still warm evenly spread the Nutella over the brownies, follow by sprinkling the toffee chips over the top. Let cool completely before cutting and serving.  However, I rarely can wait that long and my first brownie is usually a clumpy mess of gooey chocolate yumminess.