Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies

By srumbel

This is my favorite basic brownie recipe, and it’s the one I use the majority of the time. I love that it’s super easy to mix up even without a mixer, and the brownies come out rich and moist and delicious. The only way to make them better is to add some awesome chocolate hazelnut frosting! This frosting is pretty much the best thing ever, and it’s all I can do to stop myself from just eating it with a spoon. Yum!
from thebakerupstairs.com

Ingredients

• for the brownies:
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• for the frosting:
• 12 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (like Nutella or Nocciolata)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350. Prepare a 9 x 9 or 8 x 8 baking dish by lining with foil or parchment paper. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and eggs and mix until combined. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, and stir until combined. Spread the mixture in the prepared pan and bake 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted two inches away from the side of the pan comes out clean. Let cool completely.

To make the frosting, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla until combined. Add the chocolate hazelnut spread and beat until light and fluffy. Spread on the cooled brownies and enjoy!