Nutella Brownie Muffins: World Nutella Day

Today is World Nutella Day. According to the World Nutella website, "Nutella is more than just a “chocolaty hazelnut spread,” it is a way of life." Whether or not you believe that, be sure and check the World Nutella Day website for recipes and links to blogs and Facebook. Follow Twitterstream @nutelladay for updates.

Since it's the weekend, you might want to take a look at my post last year for Stuffed Challah Nutella French Toast. Perfect way to start this day!

Here's a great easy recipe for Nutella Brownie Muffins adapted from Sunset Magazine.

NUTELLA BROWNIE MUFFINS

Ingredients
About 1/2 cup butter
2 ounces unsweetened or very dark (85-90% cacao) chocolate, chopped
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened DARK cocoa powder
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup Nutella

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Generously butter 8 muffin cups.
2. Microwave 1/2 cup butter in a heatproof bowl to melt. Add chocolate, stirring until melted, then add sugar and cocoa and stir to blend. Whisk in eggs, vanilla, and salt. Add flour and stir until smooth. Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups.
3. Using a small spoon, make a depression in each portion of batter 1 in. wide and 1/2 in. deep. Spoon 1 tbsp. nutella spread into each.
4. Bake until a toothpick inserted into brownie part comes out with just a few moist crumbs, 20 to 24 minutes. Let cool on a rack about 10 minutes. Using a small metal spatula, loosen brownies from pans, move to rack, and cool completely.

Muffin Photo: Thomas J. Storey for Sunset