This is phase 2 of my “rid the pantry of half-empty jars of stuff” project (phase 1 here). For a while, I was on a major Nutella kick, mostly using it to bake and spreading it on English muffins for breakfast, but it’s been months since I opened a jar of Nutella. On the rare occasion I’m looking for a spread, peanut butter and sometimes Biscoff are my go-to these days. Not only was the Nutella in my pantry taking up valuable space, the “use by” date was rapidly approaching. I hate throwing away food – it’s a major pet peeve, so I needed to find a use for the Nutella, and quickly!
I’d seen the idea to make homemade Nutella chunks floating around the web over the past few years, and had mentally bookmarked it as a “could be fun someday” project. No matter how many times someone blogged about it and proclaimed it a success though, I was still somewhat skeptical. I was half convinced the Nutella would never harden enough to cut into chunks, or would melt into a big, gloppy mess in the oven. But since this jar of Nutella was headed for the garbage if not utilized soon anyway, I figured I didn’t have much to lose.
There are a few methods for making the Nutella chunks, but the one I ended up going with has you combine Nutella and butter, melting them down into a smooth, glossy mixture that is spread in a layer and frozen. Sure enough, after 2 hours in the freezer, I could cut the mixture into perfect little chunks. I didn’t handle them at all (I used a bench scraper any time I needed to move them), and really didn’t have any issues with them melting. So far, homemade Nutella chunks were a total success!
I decided to keep it simple and incorporate the chunks into a bar cookie recipe, replacing the chocolate chips. The one I went with is from Cook’s Illustrated and it appealed to me because it promised thick and chewy (the best kind of bar, in my opinion), and was quick and easy to throw together. No mixer required here – just a few bowls and a whisk. When it came time to incorporate the Nutella chunks, I erred on the side of caution, and only briefly mixed them into the very thick dough, so they probably weren’t as evenly distributed as they could have been. The bars baked up nicely though, and much to my surprise, the chunks were still whole after nearly 30 minutes in the oven. As promised they were perfectly chewy and the Nutella flavor was prominent throughout! They’ve proven to be the perfect comfort food in which to drown my sorrows over the Bruins game 7 loss last night. Here’s hoping for better luck next year π
Thick and Chewy Nutella Chunk Cookie Bars
cookie bars from Cook’s Illustrated, Nutella chunks adapted from The Ivory Hut
Nutella Chunks
6.5 oz Nutella
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Cookie Bars
2 1/8 cups (10 1/2 oz) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 cup (7 oz) light brown sugar
1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups Nutella chunks
To make the Nutella chunks: Add the Nutella and butter to a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30 second bursts on 50% power, stirring in between, until the mixture is smooth and glossy. (Mine needed 1 minute and 30 seconds total.) Spread the Nutella mixture into a rectangular shape on a parchment-lined baking sheet – it should be about 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until firm. Place the Nutella rectangle on a cutting board and, with a sharp knife, cut into small chunks. Try not to touch them any more than you need to. Once chopped, place them in a bowl and put back in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.
To make the cookie bars: Preheat oven to 325 F with a rack in the lower third. Spray a 13×9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray then line the dish with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on opposite sides to allow you to lift the bars out after baking. Spray the aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray too.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together. In a second bowl, combine the butter and both sugars, whisking until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla and whisk to completely incorporate. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and use a rubber spatula to fold the dry into the wet just until combined. (The batter will be quite thick.) Remove the Nutella chunks from the freezer and add them to the dough. Use the rubber spatula to fold in the chunks, working quickly to distribute them as best you can.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading into an even layer in the bottom. Bake for 27-30 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and slightly firm to the touch. The bars will begin to pull away from the sides of the pan when they’re done.
Remove the pan to a wire rack and let the bars cool completely before lifting them out of the pan and cutting into squares to serve.
Homemade Nutella chunks? What a fabulous idea. I’m so on board with these. So gorgeous, Tracey!
Now that looks like my kind of dessert! Mouth is watering over here. lol
I love how chewy these look, so dense, so delicious, I am making these during the weekend!
I love how chewy these look, so dense, so delicious, I am making these during the weekend!
I love the idea of making ‘nutella chunks’ these bars look so delicious!
Mal @ The Chic Geek
These look amazing! I love thick, chewy cookies.
This is my first time hearing about nutella chunks! Genious! Glad it worked out for you… and you just convinced me to give it a shot next time I have some expiring nutella in my pantry π
What a fabulous way to use up Nutella! These look fabulous. I haven’t heard of making Nutella chips, but absolutely love the idea!
Oh boy, oh boy! Cookie bars, nutella chunks, what else do I need? Fantastic!
Yay your chunks came out perfect! I need to remember to use up the rest of mine that are in my freezer. Hello cookie bars O:-)
These bars look so good! I will be making these soon. Although I’m from Chicago, the Bruins are my second favorite team. I love Tim Thomas!
Those bars look so good! I had never seen homemade nutella chunks. I’m def. going to have to try them. I’m sure they would be a good replacement for chocolate chips. Yum!
my “rid the pantry of half-empty jars of stuff” project = I have those, all the time!
I just posted compost cookies that use that very same concept and whenever possible I always use up odds and ends…I have so many!
Love Nutella & these look great!
I want blondies so bad right now. You deliver, right? π
These look amazing!! I have been so taken by the Nutella chunk idea–and these cookie bars are the perfect vehicle for them. I wouldn’t mind drowning a few sorrows in them either. π
I was already intrigued by the fact that this recipe uses Nutella, which is one of my favorite substances on the planet.
But I can’t get over the fact that I have never heard of Biscoff spread! I did some googlin’, and now I must have that stuff in my pantry. Now.
MMm these look very yummy indeed. I love nutella and would eat it day in day out if i could. Can’t wait to try these out.
Caterers in Manchester
I’ve been drooling over Erika’s homemade nutella chips since she posted them, and this is the perfect recipe to use them in! Can’t wait to make these!!
This is awesome!! I would have never thought of making homemade Nutella chunks, so smart!
Oh yum! My kind of treat!
Nutella Chunks!? WOW! I’m sold. These cookie bars look amazing. GREAT post π
Hi Tracey!
This is Joy of “Hot Oven, Warm Heart”- you probably don’t remember me, as I took a long hiatus from blogging, but I fondly remember our correspondence during the days of SMS. I just jumped back into the world of food blogging, and I’d love it if you’d stop by whenever you get a chance! I hope you’re doing well, and still baking up a storm- those nutella bars look delish. I had no idea you could turn the spread into hard chunks. So neat! And to top it off, a CI recipe- my favorite! Fabulous job as always!
Hope to hear from you,
Joy
http://hotovenwarmheart.wordpress.com/
homemade nutella chunks?! i think this might have changed my chocolate chip world. i don’t think i can ever go back to using chocolate chips again after nutella chips! well, i take that back, but you know what i mean, right?! it’s mind-blowing!! i just ate a large dinner and all i want are these cookies right now!
Mmm I love thick and chewy bars, and chunks, in my opinion, are much better than chips, especially when they are still whole and not all melty. Sometimes I like biting into a real nice chunk of chocolate…or in the case Nutella π
These sound great!
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the Nutella chunks, but I am intrigued! Sound like a great idea for any cookie! Now I just need to get a jar of Nutella to last long enough around here to use it for baking π
I can’t believe you made homemade nutella chunks – that is awesome!
I’m totally going to have to make Nutella chunks.
I have seen this recipes for these, but have been the skeptic. I am Nutella obsessed, so I guess I will have to give it a try!
I have some Nutella and have been trying to decide what to make with it. This is now a top contender!
Oh, boy. I am always looking for ways to incorporate Nutella into recipes… now I am dreaming of ways to add Nutella chunks! π These look perfectly chewy and delightful, thanks for sharing!
I think it’s safe to say that Nutella is one of those processed ‘apocalypse foods’, and therefore will be safe months – if not years – past its use-by date. Open or not. π
Oh wow. I would never have thought of making Nutella chunks. This looks amazing!!
I made these yesterday and there are only four small squares left today! (And still a lot of time to finish the whole pan before bedtime.) These were seriously good. Thank you!