Hamdi Saidani This Gianduja Bars recipe is a gooey and nutty treat, which is made with chewy brownies and toasted hazelnuts. It’s the perfect last-minute dessert, ready in about 15 minutes, plus chilling time.
Gianduja Bars Recipe Ingredients
- 4 pre-made brownies (about 2×3-inches each)
- 1/4 cup Nutella (or other chocolate-hazelnut spread)
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (a mix of white, semisweet, and milk is nice)
How To Make Gianduja Bars
- Prep the Oven and Brownies: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the four brownies on a baking sheet.
- Add Toppings: Spread each of the brownies with 1 tablespoon of Nutella. Sprinkle each one with 1 tablespoon of the chopped, toasted hazelnuts, followed by 1 tablespoon of the mini chocolate chips.
- Bake to Melt: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes. You are not trying to cook the brownies further, just warm them through and melt the Nutella and chocolate chips slightly.
- Chill to Set: Transfer the brownies to the refrigerator and let them cool for at least one hour, or until the chocolate topping has hardened and set completely.
Recipe Tips
- What kind of brownies are best? Fudgy, dense brownies work much better than light, cakey ones. They provide a sturdy base for the rich toppings. Using leftover, day-old brownies is a perfect way to make this dessert.
- How do you toast the hazelnuts? Toasting the nuts is a crucial step that you shouldn’t skip, as it brings out their deep, nutty flavor. Simply spread them on a dry baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-8 minutes, until they are fragrant and lightly golden.
- Why do I have to chill the bars? This is the most important step! Chilling the bars for at least an hour is what allows the melted Nutella and chocolate chips to firm up into a solid, candy-bar-like topping. If you skip this step, the topping will be a messy, melted puddle.
- Can I make one large bar instead of individual ones? Yes. You can use an entire 8×8-inch pan of uncut brownies. Spread the Nutella and sprinkle the toppings over the whole surface, bake, and then chill the entire pan before slicing into individual bars.
What To Serve With Gianduja Bars
These are incredibly rich and decadent treats that are a complete dessert on their own. They are perfectly paired with something simple to cut through the sweetness, such as:
- A strong cup of black coffee or an espresso
- A cold glass of milk
- A small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
How To Store Gianduja Bars
- Refrigerate: These bars must be stored in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate and Nutella topping firm. Place them in an airtight container with wax paper between the layers to prevent sticking. They will keep for up to a week.
- Serve: They are delicious served chilled, directly from the refrigerator, or you can let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly.
Gianduja Bars Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 bar
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Sugar: 55g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What is Gianduja?
Gianduja is a sweet chocolate spread that originated in Italy and contains about 30% hazelnut paste. Nutella is the most famous commercial brand of gianduja, which is why this recipe, featuring a chocolate-hazelnut topping, is named after it.
Can I use a different nut?
Yes. While hazelnuts are classic for a gianduja flavor, these would also be delicious with chopped, toasted almonds or even walnuts as a substitute.
Do I have to bake them?
The short baking step is recommended as it gently melts the Nutella and chocolate chips, helping them meld together into a single, cohesive topping as they cool. However, you could simply spread the Nutella, add the toppings, and chill them for a completely no-bake version.
Try More Recipes:
Gianduja Bars Recipe
Description
An incredibly easy dessert bar made by topping pre-made brownies with a rich layer of Nutella, toasted hazelnuts, and melted chocolate chips.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the brownies on a baking sheet.
- Spread each brownie with 1 tablespoon of Nutella.
- Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of toasted hazelnuts, then 1 tablespoon of mini chocolate chips.
- Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, just until the chocolate is starting to melt.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour, until the topping is completely firm.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to chill the bars for at least one hour; this is not optional and is essential for the topping to set properly.
- For the best results, use dense, fudgy brownies as a base, as they are sturdier than cakey ones.
- Toasting the hazelnuts before you chop and sprinkle them on top is a key step that deeply enhances their nutty flavor.
- This is a perfect recipe for using up leftover brownies and transforming them into a completely new and decadent dessert.
