Flourless Nutella Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
Is your Valentine a chocolate lover? Or cheesecake lover? Or Nutella lover? Or all three? Whether you need to eat gluten free or not, the only “special” ingredient you need is almond flour. So anyone can enjoy the rich, fudgy, marbled goodness in these Flourless Nutella Cheesecake Swirl Brownies.
Flourless Nutella Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
Watch out – for the next couple weeks I have some amazing sweet treats coming at you. And guess what, all gluten free, but still super easy, and no laundry list of special ingredients. At most, I’m asking you to either pick up a bag of almond meal or grind up some oats into a flour. Oh, and one recipe needs a tablespoon of flour, so pick up a bag, make that recipe and use the rest for Cauliflower Wings.
And I know, I know, I should stick to those Cauliflower Wings or Cauli-Tots. They go viral on Pinterest, they are healthier for my boys, and better for my waistline. But, you know, Valentine’s Day. Hearts and flowers and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! So I’ve been experimenting. And failing. And eating the failures because they still taste delicious, they just look atrocious or explode out of the ramekin or collapse. Follow me on Instagram and you can watch all the excitement as it unfolds.
Let me just tell you, it’s a good thing that I’ve got Shaun T kicking my butt through those killer T25 workouts every morning. At 5am. Ugh! I hate 5am.
The sacrifices I make for you people.
What do I sooo NOT hate? These…
OK, I’ll be honest. This tray is heading into work with The Hubby, other than the little bit we sampled. Not gonna mention what happened to the first attempt that didn’t quite work out.
Well, I’ll tell you on Thursday 😉 But for now, just enjoy these, because they are ridiculously amazing. I am in the fudgy brownie camp. The first batch, well, at first they were essentially pudding in the middle, then I baked them longer and they turned cake. But these? Oh, these were perfectly fudgy, and the marbley effect of the cheesecake and Nutella swirls not only bring these to just an indescribable level of awesomeness, but it makes them just so darn pretty!
Fudgy brownies or cakey brownies?
Flourless Nutella Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
Ingredients
For the cheesecake swirl:
- 4 oz cream cheese light or regular, softened
- 1 egg yolk save the white for the Nutella swirl
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
For the Nutella swirl:
- 1/4 c Nutella
- 1 egg white
For the brownies:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup one stick unsalted butter
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
For the cheesecake swirl:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl, and blend until smooth. Set aside.
For the Nutella swirl:
- Combine the Nutella and egg while in a small bowl and stir until fully blended. Set aside.
For the brownies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 13x9 inch pan with parchment paper (or grease really, really well, though I'd recommend the parchment).
- In a double boiler or a bowl set over a simmering pan of water, melt the butter, then add the chocolate chips, stirring until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar for a minute or two.
- Add melted chocolate mixture a little at a time, whisking well after each addition.
- Whisk in the cocoa powder, almond meal, salt, and vanilla.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Place small dollops of the cheesecake mixture and Nutella mixture over the batter and then create swirls with a butter knife or small spatula.
- Bake at 350°F for 16-20 minutes, or until just set in the middle.
- Cool completely in the pan before cutting.
Enjoy!
Need more Nutella?
- Flourless Nutella Marshmallow Cloud Cups
- Bana-Nutella Chip Ice Cream
- Crunchy & Chewy Chocolate Hazelnut Granola
And here are some from my friends…
- 3-Ingredient Mini Nutella Cupcakes from Six Sisters’ Stuff
- Nutella Strawberry Tart from Crazy for Crust
- Spiced Hazelnut Linzer Cookies from Chocolate Moosey
Oh, and how about an entire Nutella Obsession Pinterest Board?
Waheeda says
HI,
I’m so glad I came across this site! Coming from and living in Africa,it’s sometimes hard to get ingredients for gluten allergens. These look delicious and easy and with easily available ingredients. If I double the recipe, does that mean I would need to use 4 tsp of vanilla for the brownies etc? I want to make it for my co-workers and show them that just because I can’t eat gluten, I’m not crying in despair 😉
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Waheeda, I’m so glad that you found a gluten-free recipe that you can make! If you’re going to double the recipe, you probably won’t need to double the vanilla extract; just 3 teaspoons (1 tablespoon) of extract should be fine. Things like sugar, flour, and leavening agents (baking soda and baking powder) should definitely be doubled.
Lorraine says
I am new to the gluten free world and would love to try your recipe but have a question on the ingredients, are they all just off the shelf or are they special gluten free items? cocoa powder? almond meal?
Brianne Izzo says
Almond meal is typically gluten free, and my ingredients are readly available in gluten free versions or naturally gluten free, though this can vary by brand. If the packaging doesn’t display it, your best bet, f you need to ensure that you don’t risk any cross-contamination or hidden gluten is to check the websites of particular brands and manufacturer.
Will says
Thanks for the recipe – this seems a more dignified way to eat nutella than straight from the container with a spoon.
Brianne Izzo says
Nothing wrong with the spoon approach 😉
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
These must be the richest brownies ever, and I want one, like now! The pretty swirl makes them even more irresistible. I am happy I found these on Show Stopper Saturdays, and we’d love to have you over at Saturday Night Fever too! Have a good week 🙂
Brianne Izzo says
They are rich and deliciously decadent!
Laurie says
These sound (and look) amazing!
Thanks for linking up to Tip Me Tuesday linky party this week. {knuckle bumps}
Did you know that I can “lend” your blog posts my Google page rank for better search engine traffic?
{fabulous}
If you upload at least 2 images, 2 steps, and blog post URL into your Tip Junkie craft room, you’ll be in business!
{wink} ~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie}
http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/how-to-add-a-craft-room-project-on-tip-junkie/
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} says
OH YUM! I love Nutella and I love finding new recipes to use it in.
Brianne Izzo says
Me too!
sara says
These were AMAZING. I was doubling the batch and ran out of chocolate chips, all I had on hand was Trader Joes Kona chocolate truffels…great substitute. These were inhaled, I had to force myself to give them away. I have multiple people tell me they were the best brownies they have ever eaten. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Brianne Izzo says
Ummm, yeah, Kona Truffles would be totally amazing! Thanks for the kind words!
Kayla says
Nutella and cheesecake. A wonderful combination brianne! I love it! You got a new follower 😉
Brianne Izzo says
I know, does it get better?! Thanks 🙂
Kim Beaulieu says
These look amazing. I love nutella, like way too much.
Brianne Izzo says
Nutella is wayy too addicting!
Jelli says
Brianne, these look delicious and the recipe sounds perfect too. Subbing almond meal for flour seems like the perfect way to add a little protein and up the delicious factor at the same time. And Nutella… who doesn’t love that stuff? pinning!
Brianne Izzo says
Hmmm, never thought of it that way. Does that make these healthy?! 😉
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
Love these Nutella Cheese cake brownies. They look delicious!!
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks Renee!
whatjessicabakednext says
Wow, these look absolutely amazing! Love Nutella swirled brownies- super delish!
Brianne Izzo says
Nutella makes everything better!
Stacy says
I’m with you in the fudgy brownie camp, Brianne. If you want chocolate cake, make chocolate cake, not brownies, am I right? Love the cheesecake swirls on this beautiful batch. Good job you persevered! These are perfect!
Brianne Izzo says
Exactly! And I don’t even like chocolate cake, so why would I want cake brownies?
Carla says
Nutella and cheesecake in a brownie? Be still my heart.
Brianne Izzo says
Haha, right?!
Kitchen Kelli says
This sounds delicious! I love flourless sweets!
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks Kelli! Yep, less flour = more chocolate 🙂
Meredith says
These look delicious! Is there anything that can be used instead of almond meal?
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks. I have not tried anything else. I think the swirl would work on any standard brownie recipe.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
Ha. We also eat the “failures” 🙂 And my chocolate monster Valentine would inhale these!
Brianne Izzo says
It’s a dangerous business we are in 🙂