Nutella Chocolate Chip Blondies

Since yesterday's post highlighted a dinner recipe that we made twice in one week, I figured I should follow it up with a dessert recipe I made twice in one week.

Nutella Chocolate Chip Blondies.

Oh yes I did.

When I saw these Nutella-laden treats on Lindsey's blog last week, my destiny was set. I had a lonely jar of unopened Nutella sitting in my kitchen, just begging to be used. As an added bonus, this recipe is a super-easy, one-bowl creation.

And as if there wasn't enough buttery, chocolate-hazelnut goodness in these little bars, I added a handful of chocolate chips for good measure.

The first batch went to one of Adam's lab-mates to celebrate her 27th birthday (27 is a good year, right? I'm only four weeks in myself, but I'm already loving it). Their rave reviews inspired me to bake a second batch for my kids at work. I've learned the cookies are a wonderful motivator and mood-enhancer for high school students.

If you, too, are rocking the lonely, unopened jar of Nutella situation right now, tonight's recipe just may be the solution to your woes.

Nutella Swirl Blondies

(recipe from Lindsey at Gingerbread Bagels)

The original recipe doesn't have chocolate chips, but I'm all about adding unnecessary chocolate to already delicious recipes. I'm planning on experimenting with the addition of peanut butter to this recipe as well...

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 1/8 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 TBSP vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup Nutella (approximately)

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

2) Use an electric mixer to combine the brown sugar, butter, and vanilla--beat until well-combined. Beat in egg. Mix in dry ingredients until thoroughly combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

3) Spread batter evenly in prepared baking dish. Place small spoonfuls of Nutella (about 1 tsp. drops) on top of the batter. Use a knife to cut through the batter in different directions, producing a swirly pattern with the Nutella. Bake for 20 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.