Ask A Pittsburgh Expert: 5 Best Nutella Recipes

The chocolate and hazelnut flavors of Nutella, an Italian spread made by Ferrero, is a favorite of many looking for a treat or a tasty alternative to peanut butter. This beloved spread is great on crackers or toast, but it is also very versatile for baking. Blogger Terri Dowd of The Parmesan Princess and new cooking show "Between the Eats" gives us a handful of recipes that you can make using Nutella for a sweet chocolate treat anytime.

Terri Dowd
Between the Eats
www.betweentheeatstv.com

Terri Dowd is the cohost of Pittsburgh produced cooking TV show "Between The Eats" as well as the creator of Parmesan Princess, a popular food blog concentrating on homemade classics as well as easy recipes anyone can try! Visit the Parmesan Princess website to get more great food tips! You can also watch "Between The Eats" in Pittsburgh on Thursdays at 7pm on Verizon Fios CoziTV, or watch episodes on demand on Youtube.

Nutella Pudding

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
• Whipped cream for topping

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, sift cornstarch, sugar and cocoa powder.
2. Heat milk until almost boiling.
3. Transfer dry ingredients to a large saucepan.
4. Mix hot milk into dry ingredients and cook until boiling. Stir well and mixture will thicken.
5. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate, Nutella, butter and vanilla.
6. Chill until set.
7. Top with whipped cream.

Makes approx. 2 cups

Hazelnut Nutella Swirl Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 pint heavy cream
• 15 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup Nutella, melted
• 1/2 cup coarse chopped hazelnuts

Directions:

1. Whip heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk on medium until soft peaks form.
2. Mix in coarse chopped hazelnuts.
3. Transfer to a bowl in three layers.
4. Drizzle melted Nutella on each layer and on top.
5. Freeze.

Makes approx. 2 cups

Banana Nutella Crepes

Ingredients:

Crepes:

• 2 cups milk
• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 egg

Filling:

• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 2 bananas sliced, rolled in brown sugar
• Whipped cream topping

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients until batter is smooth.
2. Spray a pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Spoon 1/2-3/4 cup batter into pan and swirl back and forth until batter covers the bottom of the pan. (You may need more or less batter depending on the size of your pan- adjust as needed.)
4. When batter bubbles 2 mins. Flip crepe by getting a spatula under the outside in.
5. The next crepe will cook faster because the pan will be even hotter, needing only 1-2 mins to cook.
6. Cool the crepes on a paper towel lined plate.
7. When cooled, spoon Nutella into middle 1/3 of crepe.
8. Add a layer of  bananas.
9. Fold sides of crepe together to close.
10. Top with whipped cream.

Serves 4. Makes 8-10 small crepes

Related: Best Artisan Cheese Shops In Pittsburgh

Nutella And Brie Panini

Ingredients:

• 4 slices sourdough bread
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 cup Nutella
• 6 oz. brie, sliced thin
• Handful of fresh basil leaves

Directions:

1. Brush both sides of bread with olive oil.
2. Grill in a panini press until the bread begins to turn golden brown approx. 2 minutes.
3. Remove, and spread Nutella, place 2 slices of cheese, add 2 -4 basil leaves depending on the size, and top with another piece of grilled sourdough.
4. Grill the sandwich in the press until filling is heated, about 2 more minutes.
5. Serve hot.

Chocolate Nutella Brownies

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 4 eggs
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 10 oz. chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and flour 9x13 baking pan.
3. Melt butter over low heat.
4. Stir in sugar and cook two minutes without boiling, constantly stirring.
5. Remove from the heat and mix in Nutella until completely combined.
6. Pour into mixing bowl.
7. Beat in eggs, cocoa powder, baking powder and vanilla.
8. Mix until well combined.
9. Stir in the flour and chocolate chips.
10. Pour into baking pan.
11. Bake for 28-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Related: Best Places To Buy Cookies In Pittsburgh

Jennifer Stockdale is a native of the greater Pittsburgh, PA area. She is a restaurant marketer and wine enthusiast and one of the hosts of the East Coast Wine Geeks Podcast. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.