Nutella Brownies with Nutella Butter Cream Frosting and Macerated Strawberries From Sista Felicia

Happy Valentine’s Day…. Grandma Felicia always told me…

“The fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”…and she was right!

Who doesn’t love Nutella? It has been a favorite of mine for many years, and has been a staple in my family’s pantries for as far back as I can remember. I can still see it lined up neatly on the second shelf, and left -hand side, of the center aisle of my grandfathers’ Italian variety store, Pats Center Grocery. I still enjoy the snack my Nona Rose prepared for me during my many visits to the store after school. Back then, most children snacked on PB&J after school, but Italian kids…we snacked on Italian toast with Nutella!

Today Nutella is gaining popularity, and justifiable so! It’s rich, creamy, chocolate, nutty flavor is out of this world delicious all on its own…but did you know combined with 2 other simple ingredients you could make one of the most decadent desserts known to mankind…Talk about “the fastest way to a man’s heart” …It’s only 3 ingredients away!

Nutella Brownies with Nutella Butter Cream Frosting and Macerated Strawberries

Nutella Brownie Ingredients:

1 cup Nutella Hazelnut spread

2 large eggs

10 tablespoons flour

Nutella Butter Cream Frosting Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup Nutella
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 tablespoon Hershey coco powder
4 tablespoons heavy cream

Macerated strawberries ingredients:

1 pint fresh strawberries

½ cup sugar

1/4 cup Crème de Strawberry Fraise liquor

Garnish:

5 whole strawberries

Directions:

Step 1: remove stems from strawberries using a paring knife, discard stems

Step 2: slice strawberries in half, then into thirds or fourths depending on the size of the strawberry

Step 3: place prepared strawberries into a mixing bowl and add sugar

Step 4: combine ¼ cup Crème de Strawberry Fraise liquor with sugar and strawberries, mix well, and let rest on counter 1 hour

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Nutella Butter Cream Frosting Directions:

Step 1: combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, whip 2 minutes or until a creamy light textured frosting is formed

Step 2: transfer frosting a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, reserve in refrigerator

Nutella Brownie Directions:

Step 1: combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment

Step 2: beat 1 minute on a medium speed (batter will be very thick)

Step 3: generously grease and flour an 8×8 tart pan (I prefer to use Baker’s Joy non-stick spray)

Step 4: using a rubber spatula, transfer and evenly spread batter

Step 5: bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes

Step 6: remove from oven and cool 20 minute

Step 7: remove the outer potion of the tart pan, and carful slide Nutella brownie onto a cake plate

Step 8: using a pastry bag, fix 5 large dollops of Nutella frosting 1 inch from the outer edge of the brownie an, and top each dollop with 1 whole strawberry

Step 9: pipe frosting around the top edge of the brownie

*Note: practice your pastry bag piping skills on a piece of wax paper

Step 10: Slice into 5 equal slices, garnish with macerated strawberry

*Note: alternative serving option… omit Nutella frosting and simply dust the top of the Nutella Brownie with a generous dusting of confectioners’ sugar, and garnish with whipped cream and a generous portion of macerated sliced strawberries

Enjoy!