I need basic recipes like this 4 Ingredients Nutella Brownies in my repertoire.  This treat is perfect for those times when pretty good is good enough and I don’t have the inclination to spend a lot of time prepping, baking, and cleaning up. (Sometimes it’s nice not to haul out the Kitchenaid mixer!)  I just want to get in and get out of the kitchen, but also satisfy an unexpected guest or persistent craving for something sweet. Cookbook author, Abby Dodge, has written many more of these quick and easy recipes in her book, Desserts 4 Today: Flavorful Desserts with Just 4 Ingredients.  The concept of this book is pure genius because the recipes are simple, versatile, and inspires creativity.  In each recipe, Dodge includes numerous suggestions for substitutes when you don’t have an ingredient or don’t care for it and for ways to “gussy it up” to make it fancier. Since one of my favorite flavor combinations is hazelnuts and orange, I followed this recipe, but added 2 more ingredients – Cointreau and orange zest. From start to finish, it took about 20 minutes before I had this flavorful dessert with just 4 6 ingredients.  The hardest part of this recipe is waiting 10 minutes for the brownie bites to bake.

Nutella Orange Brownie Bites
Adapted from Abby Dodge’s 4 Ingredients Nutella Brownies
Yields 18 brownie bites using a mini muffin tin

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Nutella spread
1 large egg
1/2 tablespoon Cointreau or Grand Marnier orange-flavored liqueur (optional)
zest of one orange (optional)
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a mini muffin tin with paper or foil liners.

Combine the Nutella, egg, orange liqueur, and orange zest in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth.  Add the flour and whisk until combined.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts.  Bake for about 9-10 minutes.  The brownie bites will be a little soft on the inside.  Cool for a couple of minutes and serve.  Brownie bites may be stored covered, at room temperature, for up to 3 days.

Serve with milk!