Nutella Espresso Mousse Brownies
Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! If today’s holiday is something you normally celebrate, I’m guessing you already know exactly what you’re doing. However, if today is just another day to you, I encourage you to make it special with this dessert. Eric and I aren’t the types to go overboard for Valentine’s, but we’ll take any excuse to make a fancier meal than usual (we’re making these filets for dinner tonight). The same goes for desserts. Fancier doesn’t have to mean more difficult, though, and these brownies are a prime example of that. This recipe fits perfectly into what I like to call The Champion Factor – impressive outcome, minimal effort. Don’t get me wrong – I love spending time in the kitchen with a complicated recipe. It’s just that, sometimes, it’s nice to have something so simple that still turns out so stunning. Know what I mean? That being said – I’m not a fan of boxed mixes, especially when I know I can make from-scratch desserts that are as easy and crave-worthy as this one.
Someone was trying to sneak a bite!
These brownies are like a simple version of my favorite dessert ever, triple chocolate mousse cake. A rich brownie layer is topped with a light and fluffy Nutella espresso mousse, making for one seriously decadent dessert. To take it completely over the top, I covered the whole thing in homemade chocolate curls. Because it’s Valentine’s Day, and I’ll take any excuse to add more chocolate to an already chocolaty dessert. Case in point – this recipe originally called for an espresso mousse, but I couldn’t resist incorporating this Nutella mousse I made last Valentine’s Day. This indulgent dessert is sure to please whoever you’re making it for, but I won’t judge you if you decide to keep it all to yourself.
- COOK TIME:
For the brownie layer:
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
For the mousse layer:
2 teaspoons instant espresso
1 tablespoon hot water
¼ cup Nutella
Splash of Kahlua (optional)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Chocolate curls or sprinkles and/or freshly whipped cream, for topping
- 1
Heat oven to 350º. Butter the bottom of 8-inch square baking dish and line with parchment or foil, leaving several inches overhang on two sides. Butter the bottom and sides of the parchment or foil and set pan aside.
- 2
Melt the butter in a large bowl. Whisk in the espresso powder until it dissolves completely, then whisk in the sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Whisk in the dry ingredients until just incorporated.
- 3
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Allow to cool completely before topping with the mousse.
- 4
To make the mousse, combine the espresso and hot water in a small bowl. Whisk in Nutella and Kahlua if using. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat heavy cream until it just forms stiff peaks. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the Nutella mixture. Scrape the mousse onto the top of the cooled brownies and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Refrigerate for at least an hour or up to overnight.
- 5
Using the parchment/foil handles, lift the brownies from the pan. Cut into squares and top as desired. Serve immediately.
These look beautiful and delicious. I haven’t seen brownies with mousse on top before.Definitely going to try these 🙂
These look beautiful and delicious. I haven’t seen brownies with mousse on top before.Definitely going to try these 🙂
Beautiful! Totally loving the chocolate curls.
Thanks! They were so much fun to make.
Beautiful! Totally loving the chocolate curls.
Thanks! They were so much fun to make.
These sound soooo fabulous! Love that mousse!!
These sound soooo fabulous! Love that mousse!!
Sounds divine!
Sounds divine!
Those are gorgeous! (Tara totally needs to make these with Peanutella!)
I have never heard of Peanutella!! I am one of the rare people who do not like Nutella, so Peanutella would be a perfect substitute! Thank you for introducing this spread into my life hahaha.
She does! I’m making some Peanutella once my jar of Nutella is gone.
They look lovely Courtney!!! And that is quite the photography/kitchen assistant you have there!
Aw, thank you so much! Before I know it, she’ll actually be able to pull those goodies off the table. Who can blame her? I’d try to grab a bite too. 😉
They look lovely Courtney!!! And that is quite the photography/kitchen assistant you have there!
oh my goodness!! these brownies look AMAZING! I am totally trying this recipe. . totally stupid question but how do you make the chocolate curls like that? with a potato peeler? so pretty!!!
Not a stupid question at all! I melt chocolate with a little shortening and then very thinly spread it on the back of a sheet pan or cookie sheet. After a few minutes in the freezer, it’s firm enough to scrape up with a spatula. If it breaks, it’s too cold and needs to sit at room temp for a minute. It’s messy but so worth it for those curls!
I have never heard of Peanutella!! I am one of the rare people who do not like Nutella, so Peanutella would be a perfect substitute! Thank you for introducing this spread into my life hahaha.
She does! I’m making some Peanutella once my jar of Nutella is gone.
oh my goodness!! these brownies look AMAZING! I am totally trying this recipe. . totally stupid question but how do you make the chocolate curls like that? with a potato peeler? so pretty!!!
Not a stupid question at all! I melt chocolate with a little shortening and then very thinly spread it on the back of a sheet pan or cookie sheet. After a few minutes in the freezer, it’s firm enough to scrape up with a spatula. If it breaks, it’s too cold and needs to sit at room temp for a minute. It’s messy but so worth it for those curls!
These look phenomenal! Those chocolate curls…and those layers. Totally dying to try this! It will happen soon…pinned!
These look phenomenal! Those chocolate curls…and those layers. Totally dying to try this! It will happen soon…pinned!
Your chocolate curls are out of this world gorgeous!! I can’t wait to try this – probably sooner rather than later 🙂
Your chocolate curls are out of this world gorgeous!! I can’t wait to try this – probably sooner rather than later 🙂
These basically look like the best thing ever.
These basically look like the best thing ever.
I just tried this over the weekend and my mousse wound up much more liquidy. Any suggestions for how I can make them look firmer like yours? More whipping? More fridge time?
Can’t wait to make a second go at these!
My guess is that the cream wasn’t whipped enough. Make sure it’s nice and fluffy. I’m sorry they didn’t turn out the first time, and I hope you have more luck on the second go around! 🙂
I just tried this over the weekend and my mousse wound up much more liquidy. Any suggestions for how I can make them look firmer like yours? More whipping? More fridge time?
Can’t wait to make a second go at these!
My guess is that the cream wasn’t whipped enough. Make sure it’s nice and fluffy. I’m sorry they didn’t turn out the first time, and I hope you have more luck on the second go around! 🙂
great recipe !!! `made them for christmas and have not got one left over . Thank you !!!!
great instruction and fabulous results! thanks- daughter’s request on a quick visit home from college!
So fun! I hope you and your daughter had a great time!
Thank you! I baked; she enjoyed!
How do you make your chocolate curls so lush?
I froze the chocolate on the back of a baking sheet and then let it sit on the counter until it rolled easily. I have no idea if that’s the “right” way, but it worked for me! 🙂