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, spearheaded by Marla and Lisa and 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.
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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.
Be sure to stop by to see the other wonderful posts for the virtual baby shower:
Drinks
Simple Bites – Lemon Balm infused Lemonade
Ingredients, Inc. – Healthy Fruit Punch
Food for My Family – Lemongrass Soda
Heather’s Dish – Mixed Fruit Punch
She Wears Many Hats – Mini Pistachio Smoothies
Georgia Pellegrini’s Watermelon Agua Fresca
Appetizers/Savory Bites
With Style and Grace – Truffle Popcorn
Family Fresh Cooking – Baby Peas & Cheese Frittata
Barbara Bakes – Creamy Orange Fruit Dip and Fruit
Aggie’s Kitchen – Pasta Salad with Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette
Reluctant Entertainer – Nutella Berry Bruschetta
Dessert
Dorie Greenspan – French Lemon Cream Tart
TidyMom – Blue and Chocolate Cake Balls
i am baker – Baby Pea Baby Shower Cake
Brown Eyed Baker – Pavlova
Picky Palate – Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich
What’s Gaby Cooking – Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing
Cookin’ Canuck – Nutella & Cream Cheese Swirled Blondies
Kevin and Amanda – Baby Blue Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Cups
Sweetopia – Decorated Sugar Cookies
Mountain Mama Cooks – Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Sweetapolita – Little Pea Sugar Cookie Pops
Bake at 350 – Petit Fours with fondant pea pods
RecipeGirl – Baby Button Cookies
RecipeBoy – Mud Cups with Gummy Worms
Add a Pinch – Blackberry Tartlets
Dine and Dish – Oven Baked Cinnamon Apples
Vintage Mixer – Mint Chocolate Pudding Shots
Crafts
Wenderly – Handmade Sweet Pea Cards
Our Best Bites – How To: Make a Diaper Cake Centerpiece
Nutella & Cream Cheese Swirled Blondies
From the kitchen of Cookin Canuck. Base blondie recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen: Family Baking Book.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (12 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 cups (packed) brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup Nutella (chocolate-hazelnut spread)
- 1 egg yolk
Directions
- 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.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Dara, these look amazing! I make nutella brownies and also white chocolate blondies…I love how you combined two of my favorite food groups, i.e. brownies & blondies into one!
Delish!
Amanda says
These look insanely amazing girl. Wow. Pretty sure I would be making them immediately if it wasnt 5:39am. 😉
Jessica @ How Sweet says
These look so decadent I can barely stand it. Gorgeous!
Robyn | Add a Pinch says
I’m with Amanda, I have a feeling these will be on my “must-make” list before any decent amount of time has past.
claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend says
These look fabulous and your amazing!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum says
How cute – I love that little baby pea logo. 🙂 And the brownies, well, those are pretty good looking too!
Chris @ TheKeenanCookBook says
These look delicious and very pretty, perfect for a baby shower!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
oh my gosh. this just re-solidified my love for all things Nutella. love these!
Wenderly says
Wish I had a few of these lovlies to enjoy with my coffee right about now!
Yum Dara!
Pretend Chef says
Nothing makes me smile more than hearing news of a baby beginning born or seeing pregnant women. I can’t wait to have another baby someday. I would most likely end up catering my own baby shower (don’t all bloggers?) and these blondies would be on the menu. They look so delicious. Yummy!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Ha! Yes, catering our own baby showers is a given.
Jenny Flake says
Fabulous Dara! I love blondies, nutella and cream cheese! This could be very dangerous in my house 🙂
Aggie says
How awesome are these brownies!!! Oh Dara, I am loving these and really wish I had one to go with my coffee this morning!! 🙂
Congrats Maria and Josh!
Sara @ Our Best Bites says
I agree with Jenny- totally dangerous! These look fabulous- they’re going on my to-make list!
Maria says
Dara-I am drooling! These look incredible! Perfect for my shower:) THANK YOU! I really appreciate your friendship. I am sure I will be calling you for mommy advice:) Thanks again! xoxo
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
You’re most welcome, Maria. I’ll be happy to provide mummy advice anytime.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
What a fabulous twist on a blondie! Perfect for a shower or any time of day.
Rosie @ Sweetapolita says
These look so good, Dara! I have to admit, I am only a recent Nutella lover, and I have no idea how I’ve survived until now without it. I’m yet to make a Nutella baked good recipe though (yep, I’m currently eating this straight out of the jar–classy, right?), and this would be a great one to try!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Eating straight out of the jar may not be classy, but it’s darn tempting!
Becca @ Cook, Rejoice, Repeat says
You know … I’ve never eaten a blondie, much less made one. I will fix this immediately.
Nancy says
What a good idea to use nutella as the “melted chocolate” in your brownie recipe! Much easier than a double-boiler!!! I’ll have to try that.
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
Going to try these out tonight!
carolinaheartstrings says
That is the perfect way to use Nutella. Looks just delicious.
Becky at VintageMixer says
This looks like one Maria would love!! and me too 🙂 Thanks for adding my link also.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Nutella and blondies! Say no more, I’m already hungry.
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
These look fabulous! This was so fun, and I’m honored to be included with so many fabulous people like you
Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom} says
Those look fabulous, Dara! Congrats to the soon-to-be new parents!
Delishhh says
Looks awesome – YUM and how fun to get a virtual surprise baby shower!
Fuji Mama says
Literally swooning over here!!!
Drick says
very great sounding bars… know they taste fabulous too…
so, has Autumn kicked in yet up there, it is still hot as blazes here but noticing a slight cooler morning today…
Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer says
Oh, boy. I want one now! 🙂 I wish we could all be together to help Maria and Josh celebrate. Lovely recipe!
marla says
Can I please pop over for a pan of these now?? Love the blondies and I am thrilled you were a part of the party girl. Miss you & hope to connect again really soon 🙂
Belinda @zomppa says
Heehee…that analogy made me chuckle. Congrats to the peas (and the pod) and gimme some of those blondies!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Seriously, Dara, these look like absolutely delicious morsels of chocolaty, nutella goodness… not to mention cream cheese *and* white chocolate… Supreme taste-bud heaven.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking says
LOVE Nutella!! But usually it’s gone before I can bake anything with it because I’ve eaten it out of the jar with a spoon. 😉
Sandra says
In the hands of a dessert junkie these would be dangerous.
bridget {bake at 350} says
Oh my goodness gracious! I SO want to go to this shower *in person.*
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I am not one of those people that swoon over the idea of Nutella from a spoon but I do love it in baked goods and these look great Dara.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
These look wonderful! What a great addition to the shower.
Liz says
What a fabulous virtual shower! Your contribution is definitely drool worthy…YUM!
RavieNomNoms says
Those are so great!! You had me at Nutella! I absolutely adore it….
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
Oh, my word, these look delicious, Dara!
The Food Hunter says
I’m a sucker for all things Nutella!
Magic of Spice says
These are seriously delightful! I could easily do far too many 😉
Peggy says
These blondies sound amazing – I’m a sucker for anything with Nutella =)
Tennessee Sugar says
My daughters just discovered Nutella I may have to make these for them as a special after school treat soon- thanks for the recipe
Carolyn says
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.
The Chocolate Priestess says
Two chocolates in this gets two thumbs up from me. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
I’ve been hiding the Nutella and I think this is the perfect recipe to bring it out of hiding.
Elle says
Oh, these are killing me! I’m drinking a lonely coffee with nothing to keep it company. Would love one of these!
Vicki @ WITK says
This looks like a great treat for a baby shower, virtual or not 🙂 Nutella + cream cheese = delicious!
Kita says
What a perfect bridal shower (oooor just because) bite! I love the cream cheese + nutella combo – that’s drool worthy atm!
Lisa {With Style and Grace} says
Oh, these look awesome! Love the idea of a Nutella Blondie, yum! Thanks again Dara for joining in all the baby shower fun!
Rob @ How to Cook Hero says
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?
Megan says
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!
Jemma says
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
Peggy says
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.
Marylouise says
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!
Quiltin' Jenny says
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) says
Jenny, that makes me so happy to hear that! Thanks so much for letting me know.
Ann @ PersnicketyBiscuit says
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) says
Thanks, Ann! I’m so glad that everyone enjoyed these. You can’t go wrong with Nutella!
Silas says
Hello there! Would you mind iff I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
wedding boat cruise says
Good post. I definitely love this site. Keep it up!
Eden Passante says
Everything about these looks amazing! Nutella is SO good and in a blondie–even better!