Chocolate Nutella Bars
Soft, fudgy chocolate cake bars topped with a thick layer of Nutella and toasted hazelnuts. An easy one-bowl treat baked in an 8x8 pan.
Equipment
- 8" x 8" square baking dish or 8x8-inch metal baking pan
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup chocolate milk or regular milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- ½ cup Chocolate hazelnut spread such as Nutella
- ½ cup chopped hazelnuts toasted (or chopped walnuts)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on two sides, or grease it well.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with a hand mixer or wooden spoon until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg, chocolate milk and vanilla, and mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until no dry streaks or lumps remain.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the center springs back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 20 minutes, until it is just warm.
- Spread the chocolate hazelnut spread evenly over the warm cake. Sprinkle with the chopped hazelnuts and press them in lightly so they stick.
- Let the topping set for about 30 minutes. Lift the cake out of the pan by the parchment and cut into 9 bars.
Notes
Pan size: This recipe is made for an 8x8-inch pan. A 9x9-inch pan works too. The bars will be a little thinner, so start checking them at 18 minutes.
No chocolate milk? Regular milk works fine. The bars will taste a little less chocolaty.
Stiff Nutella: Microwave the spread for 10 to 15 seconds so it spreads easily.
Serving tip: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and a few chocolate chips on top.
Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 171mgPotassium: 184mgFiber: 3gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 193IUCalcium: 69mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
