Brown butter Nutella bars are so easy to make- no mixer, no dough chilling, and out of the oven in 1 hour! With chocolate chips and a gooey Nutella center, these Nutella cookie bars are perfect for Nutella lovers!
Super chewy, filled with creamy Nutella, and packed with chocolate chips- these sweet and chocolatey Nutella bars hit the spot when you need a simple yet satisfying dessert.
Inspired by my Nutella cookies and Biscoff brownies, only simple ingredients are involved (and no electric mixer!). If chocolate hazelnut spread is your love language, this one has your name written all over it!
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Why We Love These Nutella Bars
- Like a bigger batch of chocolate chip cookies- baked into bars instead. These Nutella bars have the same deliciously easy base as my super popular chocolate chip blondies!
- Every Nutella bar has a thick layer of Nutella that oozes out in every bite.
- You only need one bowl and a handful of simple ingredients to make these Nutella bars. (Try my nutter butter bars, plum bars, and oatmeal cookie bars for more one-bowl cookie bar recipes.)
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Egg yolk: Extra egg yolk is added for the chewy texture. Like my blondie brownies, the extra fat from the yolk keeps these Nutella bars chewy and gooey.
Nutella: It is essential to Nutella bars! We love Nutella recipes at Cambrea Bakes- so buy a big jar of Nutella; you can use the extra to make my Nutella muffins.
Brown sugar: We use light brown sugar for moist and chewy cookie dough bars. Substitute dark brown sugar if you need to, it won't make a huge difference.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Substitute them for white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or chopped chocolate chunks.
Butter: For extra flavor, we are using brown butter. The nutty flavor pairs perfectly with the Nutella and chocolate chips- I use it in my chocolate chip pumpkin cake for this reason, too.
Find the full ingredient measurements and instructions in the recipe card below!
recipe instructions
Before you start, line a metal square baking pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C.
Step 1: Freeze the Nutella. Crease parchment paper into the pan so you can see the outline of the edges. Then spread the Nutella in an even layer across it.
Step 2: Brown the butter. Cook the butter in a pan, until brown butter solids cover the bottom of the pan.
Scrape the butter into a bowl and set it aside to cool to room temperature.
Step 3: Whisk the wet ingredients. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, white sugar, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Then whisk in the brown butter.
Step 4: Mix in the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the flour, salt, and mini chocolate chips.
Step 5: Layer the Nutella. Spread half of the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, then place the frozen slab of Nutella on top. Spread the remainder of the cookie dough over the top of the Nutella.
Step 6: Bake! Swirl in extra melted Nutella on top of the bars, then bake! Let the Nutella bars cool on a wire rack before cutting!
Professional Baking Tips
- Use a kitchen scale. Baking with a scale is much more accurate than cup measurements. To convert this recipe, click the "metric" button next to the ingredients title on the recipe card. If you do not have a scale, use a spoon to fluff the flour first, then spoon it into your measuring cup.
- Cool the butter. Like my brown butter toffee cookies, wait for the butter to cool to room temperature- if it's too hot it will melt the chocolate chips!Â
- Use a square pan. Ceramic and glass pans conduct heat differently and will require different baking times and temperatures.
- Serve with ice cream. These Nutella bars are best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream!
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Although I haven't tested it, I think peanut butter would be delicious. You could also try my pop-tart cookie bars that are filled with strawberry jam!
Once completely cool, pull the sides of the parchment up to lift them out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Run a sharp knife under hot water in between cuts and wipe it clean. This will give you perfectly cut cookie bars!
​Store leftover Nutella bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
Yes! Store the baked bars cut or as a whole pan in an airtight container or in a freezer bag for up to 1 month.
More Cookie Bar Recipes
If you tried this or any other recipe on my website, please let me know how it went in the comments below, I love hearing from you! Also, please leave a star rating while you're there! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!
Recipe 📖
Brown Butter Nutella Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- â…” cup Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour *See notes below for measuring*
- ¼ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoon Nutella warmed in 5 second increments in the microwave
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C. Place a sheet of parchment paper inside of a square 8x8 baking pan, creasing the bottom edges well so that when you remove it from the pan it has an outline of the size of the pan.
- Spread the Nutella over the parchment within the creased lines. Chill the Nutella layer in the freezer, it must be firm before using.â…” cup Nutella
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper on all four sides, then set it aside.
- Brown the butter in a stainless steel pan over medium heat until the bottom is covered in brown butter solids. Scrape the butter into a bowl and cool to room temperature. You can chill it in the fridge or freezer, stirring every 5 minutes, until it's ready. Just keep an eye on it!1 cup unsalted butter
- In a large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Then stream the butter into the bowl, whisking until combined.1 cup light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fold in the dry ingredients. Spread half (about 450 g) of the cookie dough into the pan. Then place the slab of Nutella on top of the dough. Spread the rest of the cookie dough over the top.1 ¾ cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, ¼ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Spoon dollops of the warmed Nutella on top of the cookie dough and swirl it with a toothpick. Bake the Nutella bars for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out covered in a few moist crumbs.2 tablespoon Nutella
- Let the cookie bars cool completely on a wire rack, then cut into 16 bars. Enjoy!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The calorie information provided for the recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.
Jane says
So satisfying putting the frozen Nutella layer, 2nd time this week baking them! 😂😋
Stephanie says
Made them with my son and we both loved them! A very simple recipe but it tasted like it came straight from a bakery.
Cooper says
My girlfriends favorite thing in the world is Nutella so I made them for dessert tonight. Delicious!
Sarah says
These brown butter nutella bars are so addicting!!!! Everyone just kept going for more. Will definitely be making these often, such an easy recipe!
Tara says
You can really taste the brown butter, cookie dough and Nutella! So chewy and delicious!
Cathleen says
I love all things Nutella, and this was no exception! These bars are perfect! I will be making them over and over in my kitchen 🙂
Mairead says
My kids love Nutella so these bars were a hit in our house. Love this easy recipe.
Liza says
What a dreamy recipe! Nutella is my favorite, and these bars are to die for!!! Love that extra swirl of Nutella on top, too. Another winner from Cambrea Bakes.
Anjali says
These nutella bars are to die for!! They are so rich and delicious - the perfect treat!
Lisa says
These may be the best cookie bars I've ever had...I'm seriously ADDICTED!