Nutella Brownies- with a CRUNCH

Hi Everyone!! Been a bit busy the last couple of weeks so it's make up time. This weekend was Labor Day which is always a nice three-day weekend break before the start of fall. I may not have been at work today but I certainly did accomplish a lot at home! This weekend was the start of Purdue Football- a great time of fun and food in this household. We hosted the first tailgate of the year on Slayter Hill in West Lafayette, IN and celebrated a big W against Eastern Kentucky. My parents came for a visit and we made pulled bbq pork and chicken sandwiches, cheesy potatoes and coleslaw for the group on Saturday. The rest of the tailgaters brought yummy side dishes, too. 

On Sunday, Danny and I adopted a kitten!! We pick him up later this week (has to be fixed first!) but we have been hard at work on his new 'home' shown below:

This has certainly been a laborious process! It's still a work in progress but we're really excited that it's coming close to finished! Finally, what would a weekend be in the Hlavek household without some baking? I got busy in the kitchen today and want to share some recipes with you.  This first one is super easy and super tasty! Who doesn't like the sweet and salty combo mixed with a crunch?! Since Nutella is all the rave right now I was anxious to give it a go in my newest baking creation!

NUTELLA BROWNIES- with a CRUNCH!

What you need for the Crunch:
1 1/2 cups pretzels
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

What you need for the Brownies:
1 cup Nutella
2 eggs
10 Tb all purpose flour (or 1/2 cup plus 2 Tb)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional- I didn't use these)

To make the Crunch:
1. Spray an 8x8 square pan with cooking spray or grease with Crisco
2. Place the pretzels in a large ziploc bag and crush with a mallet until broken up into tiny pieces. Add the sugar and mix until combined, then pour in the butter. Continue mixing until all pieces are coated with butter.
3. Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are golden and the crust feels firm. While the crust is baking get to work on your brownies.

To make the brownies:
4. Mix together eggs and Nutella in a medium bowl until smooth. (If Nutella is too firm, pop it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds and let it soften. This will help you mix in the eggs easier.)
5. Add in flour and mix until just combined.

Put it all together:
6. Once your pretzel crust is ready, spread your brownie mixture evenly over the top. (Sprinkle each with a few chocolate chips, if desired.)
Bake about 13-16 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean from the brownie topping.

Right before I popped it in the oven!

ENJOY!!

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