So today I made my way to the coffee shop and had something unusual happen. I sat down to write this post and found myself at a bit of a loss for words. Okay, that doesn’t sound like a winning endorsement. The brownies are delicious! Fudgy, nutty, sweet, decadent…definitely on my list of all time favorites. But don’t you guys like to hear stories about my childhood, eating habits, random streams of consciousness and/or the funny things that happened while I was preparing the dish before you? I’m kind of kidding, but I realize I can be a bit of a blabbermouth in print form.
I had to ask my boyfriend for help. He had a lot to say about the brownies. To paraphrase:
These brownies are nutty, but not nutty like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, or even One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. More like David Helfgott, the concert pianist who is just nutty enough to be fun and a joy to experience when he’s right there in front of you. These brownies are dark and sensorial, but not like a David Lynch movie…more like a good episode of the X-Files (or substitute you favorite dark and sensorial TV show or film). Or an autumn evening, complete with a sunset and hot cup of tea, which would also be an excellent complement to these brownies. Like a Jackson Pollack painting. A dazzling array of, you know, whatever you like…
So there you have it. I take that rant as a run on compliment.
Did you make my chocolate hazelnut butter earlier this week? Or maybe you’re looking to put to use a jar of commercial chocolate hazelnut butter? (Justin’s is a good brand that is vegan.) Go make these brownies now.
Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. ground flax seeds + 1/4 cup almond or other non dairy milk, whisked and allowed to sit for 10 minutes
- 1/2 cup Earth Balance or other vegan margarine softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup almond or other non-dairy milk (this is in addition to the milk that you mix with flax seeds)
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut butter use my recipe or a commercial brand, like Justin's
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and spray or grease a 9x9 baking pan.
- Mix first five ingredients (up to sugar) in mixing bowl. Add all other ingredients except for hazelnut butter and hazelnuts. Spread batter evenly in baking pan.
- Next, using a knife, toothpick, chopstick, or whatever works, swirl hazelnut butter into brownie batter. I tried to get all fancy with it, this isn't really necessary as the color blends right in with the batter.
- Top with hazelnuts and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting into squares.
This sounds like nutella in brownie form – but vegan! Looks so good :)
Thank you!! That’s exactly what it tastes like too! Couldn’t have said it better myself!
These look pretty fudgy for vegan brownies, I am impressed!
Thank you! And yeah, these were pretty darn fudgy. I actually cut them into pretty small pieces because they were so incredibly rich. That would be a rarity for me because I’m a total chocoholic :)
Made these for Mother’s day cookout and everyone went back for seconds and thirds. Maybe fourths. It got picked at like crazy. Found myself with a dangerously jumbo sized jar of Nutella and needed to use it for something other than direct consumption via spoon. As irresistible as Nutella is, I think the brownie base alone would have been the best brownie I’ve ever had. Not too dense or heavy, not too dry, a little crumbly yet melts in your mouth. And just sweet enough. I used Hershey’s dark cocoa powder too which was fortunate! This is my official go to brownie recipe from now on. And I don’t take that decision lightly.
Hah! I can totally relate to your Nutella predicament and I’m glad I could help out! I really like this brownie base too and I’ve been able to adapt it for a few different variations on “swirl” brownie type recipes. You could probably do a lot with it. I’m glad to hear these worked out for you and thanks for sharing – always makes me smile :)
mm these sound so good, thanks for posting up this recipe. Will give these a try.
Simon