Ferrero Rocher Brownies

My friend had a craving for this Ferrero Rocher Brownies. She liked it after tasting it when I first shared it with my colleagues a few months ago. I first baked this brownies after seeing Jamie's of My Baking Addiction post but didn't manage to take any pictures, hence no entry for this yummy dessert until now.

                              

This is one expensive brownies. Just the ingredients cost me $20! And that doesn't include the Nutella used for the frosting, which I decided to omit. But it's worth it because the taste is just amazing. The ingredients were costly mainly becauseI used the ones imported from Europe: Belgium butter, French chocolate & Italian rocher! It's all about quality ingredients.... Since I omitted the Nutella frosting, I call this brownies Ferrero Rocher Brownies instead of  Nutella Brownies.

Ferrero Rocher Brownies

Recipe by My Baking Addiction.

Ingredients:

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used Valrhona Equatoriale 55%)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
12 Ferrero Rocher candies, sliced in half

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 deg C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2.  Microwave chocolate and butter in a large bowl microwave-safe bowl at medium (50% power) for 3-4 minutes or until butter is melted.
3. Stir until chocolate is melted. Whisk in sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt. Gradually add in flour; stir until just combined.
4. Spread 1/2 the batter into prepared pan. Add an even layer of Ferrero Rocher candies and cover with remaining 1/2 of brownie batter. Bake for 30-35 minutes; do not over bake.
5. Remove from pan & transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.