Nutella Swirl Brownies with Nutella Ganache for National Nutella Day

I didn't know that  today is National Nutella Day! How could I forget a  day to celebrate the chocolate nutty smoothness of Nutella?  Seems like I'm always a little late to the party.  In real life I and very puctual, and I hate to be late.  I arrive a places and apppointments early, so I'm not late. I was hadly ever late for work, barring an accident delay or a train stuck on the tracks. However, with my blog, I don't have that same sense of urgercy, sometimes. I did make thes Nutella Swirl Brownies this morning, which really do have Nutella in them, but it's hard to see.

I made my go to brownie recipe and swirled in Nutella to add another layer of flavor. I made several shapes to show the versatilty of brownies. You can make the brownies in whatever shape pan you have.  Because Valentine's Day is right around the corner. these brownies can do double duty, celebrate National Nutella Day, and give one to your Sweetie for Valentine's Day. there is so much chocolate goodness paired with Nutella, A chocoholic's dream!

After the brownies cooled, I swirled whipped cream in the can, the only kind I had in the house, on the brownies and topped with fresh strawberries and Nutella Ganache. The Strawberries were from Florida, at least. 

You can decorate your brownies anyway you want, MM's, whipped cream, raspberries, or strawberries.  No matter how you decorate them, they will taste so good, and be a special Valentine treat. Enjoy!

Nutella Swirl Brownies with Nutella Ganache Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens 
Ingredients: 

1/2 c butter

2 squares, (2 oz) unsweetened chocolate

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp .vanilla

3/4 c. AP Flour

1/2 c Nutella spread, more or less depending on pan size. 

Directions:

Nutella Swirl Brownies 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Line a 8x8x2 pan or use a heart cake pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, edges overlapping. or use small heart pans,  mini ramekins, or mini cupcake pans. Melt butter and chocolate.  Remove from heat and stir in sugar.  Add eggs, and vanilla.  Beat lightly until just combined.  Stir in flour and mix well. For heat shaped pans, swirl in1 tbsp Nutella spread with a toothpick or knife tip. .For a mini ramekin use about 2 tsp Nutella spread, and for the mini cupcake 1 tsp Nutella spread.

Spread batter in pan.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes for heart shaped pans, 20-25 min for the mini ramekin, and 12-15 min for the mini cupcake.   Do not over bake. Cool on rack. Remove brownie from pan, and place on rack. 

Nutella Ganache  Adapted from Cake Duchess 

1/4 cup heavy cream

5 oz chocolate, finely chopped I used semisweet chips

3 tablespoons Nutella

Bring the heavy cream to a boil in a medium sauce pan on medium-high heat. Make sure to stir occasionally. Remove pan from heat, and stir in the chopped chocolate until it is combined. Fold in the Nutella. Allow to cool and thicken. Drizzle over brownies.

l linked up my recipe to Brandie@The Country Cook's Weekend Potluck #53
 Stop by and say Hi to Brandie!