Thursday, February 10, 2011

Nutella brownie muffins and e-mail




Ok, I know, I am SOOOO last week.

Truth is, I had no idea it was World Nutella Day on Saturday. I was wrapped up in my little crazy world of reading, checking, double checking, revising, mumbling, pulling at my hair, rocking back and forth, nervously chewing on my nails the editing of my files and not reading my usual blogs. So it was totally random that I decided to bake something on Friday night involving Nutella (for the first time ever by the way). I could pretend that the blogging world and I share a certain vibe, convince you that I am particularly empathic, that when it comes to all things foodie I have a sixth sense...but no, the truth is I wanted something satisfying but simple and fast to make so that I could crawl quickly back into my corner to work. A total coincidence.

This recipe had caught my eye a while back on Life's a Feast for several reasons.

First of all, what is there not to like about Nutella, the luscious, creamy, chocolatey, nutty spread sold all over the world? When I was a child living in New York my mother used to buy it for me in a specialty store in Germantown, thus my belief growing up that it was of German origin. Imagine my surprise when we moved to Italy and I found out I was living in the country that produced this marvellous treat! You can actually smell Nutella when you drive by the factory in Alba, giving you a kind of Charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory experience.

And I still can only buy it once in a while, such is the danger of me eating it up in spoonfuls in a matter of days.




But let's stay focused, back to my reasons.

Secondly, I was intrigued by the fact that this recipe only had four ingredients. Just four? Three actually, if you leave out the chopped hazelnuts for decoration. The end result won't be quite as pretty, but your muffins will turn out pretty good all the same. 




These muffins are such a cinch, it really is worth it to whip them up as a last minute dessert or treat for your family and friends. They are nutty and chocolatey with a soft and chewy heart. However, if I have to be 100% honest with you, I still think the best way to eat Nutella is thickly spread on a crusty piece of farmer's bread.

Before you read the recipe: many of you (especially non bloggers) have asked me to get update notices via e-mail. If you look at the top right corner of the page, I have added a subscription form. Just write in your email address and you will get a notice in your mailbox every time I post a new recipe. Ciao!

Ingredients
1 egg
1/2 cup Nutella spread
5 tbsp flour
coarsely chopped hazelnuts

The original recipe says to grease a 12-cup mini muffin pan, but I used a 6-cup muffin pan instead. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Whisk together the Nutella and the egg in a bowl until smooth. Add the flour and whisk again until blended. Spoon into the muffin tray and sprinkle over the previously chopped hazelnuts. The recipe suggests baking about 11 or 12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with wet and gooey crumbs stuck to it. Since my muffins were larger, I wasn't worried they would overbake in that amount of time. However, the inside turned out a little drier than I had hoped, even if they were double in size. So the next time I would bake them for about 9-10 minutes. Monitor them closely as every oven is different. I personally love the chewy factor. Cool them on a rack and eat in the next 2 to 3 days, if they last that long.








16 comments:

  1. I had some nutella today after many years (!) and OMG, I was in heaven. Got to try these brownies, I have been seeing them a lot lately and don't want to miss the boat.
    *kisses* HH

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  2. It's dangerous that these are so easy to make and require so few ingredients. Dangerous because I eat sweets all the time as it is, and one day (when baby weans) I will be in reaaaaal trouble! But that day is far off, so I might as well indulge, right???

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  3. Oh my goodness. This is one easy recipe that will surely sabotage my diet this weekend. I love Nutella and always have a jar in my pantry. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Looks like I found my Valentine dessert.

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  4. Lindy - yeah, right!
    HH - It probably would have been better to not remind yourself about how good it is!
    Nicole - That is the problem, too easy...such an easy way to put on calories. Loving your blog. Have had problems commenting, so I just wanted to let you know.
    Kelly - Good for you, for managing to keep a jar in your pantry at all times. That is called self control

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  5. Oh I wish I had known about World Nutella day! :o I have a recipe that would have been perfect. My calender is clearly faulty if it doesn't list these very important days! :o

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  6. you had me at nutella! But put it in a muffin and well, you've just out done yourself!
    LC

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  7. I LOVE the FOUR ingredients! OK, I need to get this stuff already...can you believe I have never tried Nutella! I'm a little afraid now though for the same reasons you mention...the spoon thing!

    If I pick some up..I WILL make these...

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  8. Lorraine - tsk, tsk shame on you ;o)
    Lindsay - and a brownie muffin at that!
    DD&W - a Nutella virgin?? You must try it!! Promise me you will, on bread the first time, and let me know!

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  9. I think I outgrew Nutella after eating eating daily while I lived in France. These muffins sound splendid though and I would love to make (or) eat them!

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  10. I can never keep up with these dates either and I don't have 2 kids ;P I'm an expat too - a Kiwi living in Austria ^_^

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  11. ToB - yeah, I think you can appreciate these even, or especially, if you are not an avid Nutella eater.
    Sasa - Hi! I sometimes wonder how all those wonderful bloggers out there can always be so up to date and participate in all these contests and special events! I am always in awe.

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  12. Sounds like the perfect brownie to whip up for last minute guests!

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  13. Barbara - hi! That is exactly what it is.

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  14. Somebody is selling your recipe as a download:
    http://www.listia.com/auction/8083440-d-i-y-nutella-brownies-yum

    You can complain here:
    (347) 254-7842
    785 Castro St #C, Mountain View, CA 94041

    complaint form
    http://help.listia.com/attachments/token/dnwmhgif0tchkbv/?name=NoCI.pdf

    ReplyDelete

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