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.
Printable Recipe
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
The Food Hunter
I'm a sucker for all things Nutella!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
Oh, my word, these look delicious, Dara!
RavieNomNoms
Those are so great!! You had me at Nutella! I absolutely adore it....
Liz
What a fabulous virtual shower! Your contribution is definitely drool worthy...YUM!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
These look wonderful! What a great addition to the shower.
Barbara | Creative Culinary
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.
bridget {bake at 350}
Oh my goodness gracious! I SO want to go to this shower *in person.*
Sandra
In the hands of a dessert junkie these would be dangerous.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
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. 😉
Marian (Sweetopia)
Seriously, Dara, these look like absolutely delicious morsels of chocolaty, nutella goodness... not to mention cream cheese *and* white chocolate... Supreme taste-bud heaven.
Belinda @zomppa
Heehee...that analogy made me chuckle. Congrats to the peas (and the pod) and gimme some of those blondies!
marla
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 🙂
Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer
Oh, boy. I want one now! 🙂 I wish we could all be together to help Maria and Josh celebrate. Lovely recipe!
Drick
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...
Fuji Mama
Literally swooning over here!!!
Delishhh
Looks awesome - YUM and how fun to get a virtual surprise baby shower!
Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom}
Those look fabulous, Dara! Congrats to the soon-to-be new parents!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
These look fabulous! This was so fun, and I'm honored to be included with so many fabulous people like you
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
Nutella and blondies! Say no more, I'm already hungry.
Becky at VintageMixer
This looks like one Maria would love!! and me too 🙂 Thanks for adding my link also.