Nutella-Stuffed Peanut Butter Blondies

Nutella-Stuffed Peanut Butter Blondies - made August 8, 2021 from Honest Cooking 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

2/3 cup creamy peanut butter

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup - 3/4 cup Nutella

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8" baking pan with foil and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and brown sugar until combined and creamy with no lumps. Add peanut butter and beat until well mixed.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla, mixing after each addition until combined.
4. Add baking powder and flour, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Spread half the batter evenly on bottom of prepared pan. Smooth Nutella in an even layer over peanut butter bottom. Spread remaining batter on top of Nutella, covering completely and smoothing evenly. Bake 23-25 minutes or edges are golden brown and center is set. Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting and serving.

Nutella and peanut butter. If you like that combination and want a quick and simple bar cookie that doesn't make too much, this one's for you.

The main trick is to make sure your butter is slightly softened, beat it with the brown sugar first until they're well combined then add the peanut butter. If you try beating the butter and peanut butter together first, you're more likely to end up with butter lumps because the peanut butter itself is too soft to merge well with the butter on its own. Let the brown sugar beat the butter into submission first then add the peanut butter for a smoother consistency.