These Nutella and cream cheese blondies would be a huge hit at any baby shower, birthday party or backyard barbecue.
There is nothing more exciting than welcoming the arrival of a little one to the world. Of course, the birth of every baby boy or girl is special, but there’s a certain glow that envelops couples who are about to have their first child. That must be because sleep deprivation hasn’t yet set in. Seriously, I am thrilled to contribute these Nutella & Cream Cheese Swirled Blondies to this virtual baby shower, which is packed with treats and crafts from a whole host of creative bloggers (scroll down for the links). And who is the baby shower for? It’s for Maria and Josh of Two Peas and Their Pod, who will be introducing us to their little boy in a couple of weeks (unless that little pea decides to pop out his pod early – sorry, Maria. Bad analogy.)
These bars started with a basic blondie recipe from one of my favorite baking cookbooks, America’s Test Kitchen: Family Baking Book. I left in some of the white chocolate chips from the original recipe, which add a caramel flavor to the baked bars. From there, I whipped together a mixture of Nutella and cream cheese, and dolloped this over top with my trusty cookie dough scoop. With a simple swirl of a butter knife, the mixture was ready for a quick turn in the oven.
The result – some of the most tender blondies I’ve tried, with a subtle taste of Nutella. These would be a huge hit at any baby shower, birthday party or backyard barbecue. Just be sure to save a few to tuck into the kids’ lunch boxes the next day. They’ll thank you for it.
Congratulations, Maria and Josh. I can’t wait to meet your little guy!
The recipe:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13- by 9-inch metal baking pan with foil, with foil edges hanging over the side. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture until just combined. Add white chocolate chips and stir to combine.
In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, Nutella and egg yolk until completely combined.
Transfer blondie mixture to prepared pan and spread evenly. Drop the Nutella mixture by tablespoonfuls over the blondie mixture. Using a butter knife, swirl in the Nutella mixture.
Bake, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a few crumbs, 25 to 28 minutes. When testing, be sure to insert the toothpick into a section with blondie, rather than Nutella. Cool the blondies, in the pan, on a wire rack until completely cool, about 2 hours. Holding the overhanging foil, lift out the blondies. Cut into squares and serve.
Nutella & Cream Cheese Swirled Blondies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 3/4 cup Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13- by 9-inch metal baking pan with foil, with foil edges hanging over the side. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture until just combined. Add white chocolate chips and stir to combine.
- In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, Nutella and egg yolk until completely combined.
- Transfer blondie mixture to prepared pan and spread evenly. Drop the Nutella mixture by tablespoonfuls over the blondie mixture. Using a butter knife, swirl in the Nutella mixture.
- Bake, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a few crumbs, 25 to 28 minutes. When testing, be sure to insert the toothpick into a section with blondie, rather than Nutella.
- Cool the blondies, in the pan, on a wire rack until completely cool, about 2 hours. Holding the overhanging foil, lift out the blondies. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Eden Passante
Everything about these looks amazing! Nutella is SO good and in a blondie–even better!
wedding boat cruise
Good post. I definitely love this site. Keep it up!
Ann @ PersnicketyBiscuit
These were amazing! I made them for a party this weekend and I think I am famous now. Everyone wanted to know who brought these :-). Thanks for the recipe!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Ann! I’m so glad that everyone enjoyed these. You can’t go wrong with Nutella!
Quiltin' Jenny
Can I just tell you how awesome these are? My family and friends think I am a genius when I make them. I have made them and frozen them (I have also eaten them right out of the freezer! YUM!) and they thaw beautifully.
I am at the point where I make 4 pans at a time now and can barely keep them around. They are perfect for bringing a meal to someone, donating to the teacher luncheon, or sharing at book club.
Thank you so much for this recipe!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Jenny, that makes me so happy to hear that! Thanks so much for letting me know.
Marylouise
I made a double batch these for my daughters orchestra concert reception tonight. They are amazing!!! Many thanks! I will link to your recipe when I write my post this morning. Thanks!
Peggy
Well what do you know…I was looking for a recipe for a surprise baby shower potluck party. I originally had found this recipe for a blackberry pie bar, but couldn’t remember where I saw the recipe and I forgot about going out to pick blackberries today as well. Fate had it so that I’d find this recipe and us it instead.
Jemma
This is on my list to do today – however I have one question which is probably going to seem really stupid ! When you say line the pan with foil do you bean bottom and all sides with some foil hanging over to lift ? Am I right in thinking a 13×9 pyrex would not be suitable ? Thanks
Megan
I recently made Nutella peanut butter brownies–I love the idea of Nutella in blondies, too….or anything for that matter. Can’t go wrong with it!
Rob @ How to Cook Hero
I finally have a use for the massive container of nutella that’s been in my cupboard for months.
Does the stuff go bad, though?
Lisa {With Style and Grace}
Oh, these look awesome! Love the idea of a Nutella Blondie, yum! Thanks again Dara for joining in all the baby shower fun!
Kita
What a perfect bridal shower (oooor just because) bite! I love the cream cheese + nutella combo – that’s drool worthy atm!
Vicki @ WITK
This looks like a great treat for a baby shower, virtual or not 🙂 Nutella + cream cheese = delicious!
Elle
Oh, these are killing me! I’m drinking a lonely coffee with nothing to keep it company. Would love one of these!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen
I’ve been hiding the Nutella and I think this is the perfect recipe to bring it out of hiding.
The Chocolate Priestess
Two chocolates in this gets two thumbs up from me. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Carolyn
Aw, love how all of you got together to celebrate Two Peas In a Pod…soon to be three peas! I’d be hanging out right by the platter of these, I can tell you that much.
Tennessee Sugar
My daughters just discovered Nutella I may have to make these for them as a special after school treat soon- thanks for the recipe
Peggy
These blondies sound amazing – I’m a sucker for anything with Nutella =)
Magic of Spice
These are seriously delightful! I could easily do far too many 😉