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 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¾ 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
carolinaheartstrings
That is the perfect way to use Nutella. Looks just delicious.
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats
Going to try these out tonight!
Nancy
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.
Becca @ Cook, Rejoice, Repeat
You know ... I've never eaten a blondie, much less made one. I will fix this immediately.
Rosie @ Sweetapolita
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)
Eating straight out of the jar may not be classy, but it's darn tempting!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
What a fabulous twist on a blondie! Perfect for a shower or any time of day.
Maria
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)
You're most welcome, Maria. I'll be happy to provide mummy advice anytime.
Sara @ Our Best Bites
I agree with Jenny- totally dangerous! These look fabulous- they're going on my to-make list!
Aggie
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!
Jenny Flake
Fabulous Dara! I love blondies, nutella and cream cheese! This could be very dangerous in my house 🙂
Pretend Chef
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)
Ha! Yes, catering our own baby showers is a given.
Wenderly
Wish I had a few of these lovlies to enjoy with my coffee right about now!
Yum Dara!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
oh my gosh. this just re-solidified my love for all things Nutella. love these!
Chris @ TheKeenanCookBook
These look delicious and very pretty, perfect for a baby shower!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
How cute - I love that little baby pea logo. 🙂 And the brownies, well, those are pretty good looking too!
claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend
These look fabulous and your amazing!
Robyn | Add a Pinch
I'm with Amanda, I have a feeling these will be on my "must-make" list before any decent amount of time has past.
Jessica @ How Sweet
These look so decadent I can barely stand it. Gorgeous!
Amanda
These look insanely amazing girl. Wow. Pretty sure I would be making them immediately if it wasnt 5:39am. 😉
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
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!