Chocolate Hazelnut Blondies

Blondies versus Brownies

Let's start off with a debate today: the age-old division of blondies versus brownies. Here in the U.S. brownies are super common. Their chocolatey, rich flavor and fudgy texture slay the dessert game. You can add an assortment of mix-ins to brownie batter including chopped nuts, marshmallows and chocolate chips.

But brownies have a sweet cousin, called the blondie. Blondies come from the same dessert bar family, but instead of cocoa powder and chocolate, they are made with brown sugar. Therefore, they are a "blonde" golden color.

Both brownies and blondies are equally delicious in my opinion. But some folks have very strong opinions in this debate. Have you tried both blondies and brownies? Which is your favorite??

Honestly, I say a brownie in one hand and a blondie in the other hand is balance. :p

And for more easy brownie recipes, try coffee fudge brownies, 8 ingredient chocolate peanut butter brownies, fancy Black Forest brownies, and easy homemade brownie crisps.

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Brown sugar
• All purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Chocolate chips
• Chopped hazelnuts
• Chocolate hazelnut spread

How to Make Swirl Blondies

First of all, know that if you've ever made brownies before, then you can totally make delicious blondies. With just a few ingredient changes, this dessert bar goes from fudgy cakey brownies to caramelized chewy blondies.

You can make your dessert extra impressive with a fun swirl of chocolate hazelnut butter on top.

Just dollop about tablespoons of chocolate hazelnut butter onto the blondie batter in your baking dish.

Then use a toothpick or a knife to drag the nut butter around, creating an intricate swirl pattern.

It looks beautiful and it imbues each bite with an extra hit of salty-sweet chocolate hazelnut butter.

The Best Chocolate Hazelnut Butter

There are numerous brands of chocolate hazelnut butter on the market. But unfortunately I found out that the beloved brand I grew up eating has 25% more sugar than frosting!

So I scoured the grocery store shelves for a healthier alternative. Then I found Wild Friends Foods chocolate hazelnut spread, which I love since it has 50% less sugar than that brand I grew up eating!

Which means you can feel better about swirling it into your blondies. <3

More about Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are one of my favorite nuts. They have a rich flavor, and they become really creamy as you chew them, similar to macadamia nuts.

Believe it or not, my home state of Oregon has one of the best climates for growing hazelnuts! The temperate climate along with its volcanic soil are ideal for growing this versatile little nut, or "filbert" as some Oregonians call them.

In fact, the hazelnut is Oregon's official State Nut. Who knew that states even had official nuts??

Hazelnuts are added in two ways to these delicious chocolate hazelnut blondies.

First, whole hazelnuts are chopped up and mixed into the blondie batter. This adds a marvelous crunch with each bite.

Second, chocolate hazelnut spread is swirled into the blondie batter, adding sweet ribbons of chocolatey goodness.

Each bite of these blondies is balanced with crunchy hazelnuts, cakey blondie, and sweet chocolate hazelnut spread. Enjoy!!

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