Aaron McCargo Jr’s Hazelnut Brownie Bites

Recipes, Sweet Treats

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I’m not usually impressed by celebrities.

Unless it’s George Clooney or Jude Law inviting me to the Oscars and offering me a free Vivienne Westwood wardrobe, I don’t consider myself star struck (wait…did that sound shallow?).

I once had a boss who told me that PR pros should always “treat celebrities like regular people and treat regular people like celebrities.” I agree.

Throughout my public relations career, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some great singers, actors, actresses and TV personalities.

The only times I’ve felt a little star struck are when I’ve met culinary celebrities.

This summer, when I was working with a wonderful talent agency, I mentioned in passing that I have a blog and they offered to introduce me to one of their clients who happens to be a chef on the Food Network.

Aaron McCargo Jr. is a Food Network chef and winner of season 4 of the Next Food Network Star.

He’s also from New Jersey (like me!) and is a married father of four children (um, not like me!).

Aaron-McCargo-Jr_Episod-7_s3x4_lg

Aaron and I met at Olives in New York City to talk shop about food. And blogging. And the Food Network. Aaron has always loved cooking and owned a restaurant in Camden, NJ from 2003-2006.

Though some of Aaron’s specialties are quite different than mine, his bold breakfasts and barbecue-inspired roasts, stews and pizzas are easy and fun for anyone to cook. His philosophy is that cooking can be fun: anyone can do it. Now, where have we heard that before?

Aaron was as down-to-earth as a Food Network star could possibly be and I was excited to learn that we shared many of the same perspectives on cooking.

His show on the Food Network, Big Daddy’s House lets him show off his carefree cooking style and laid-back attitude towards all things culinary.

“If you eat good food in moderation, you don’t have to diet,” he said, referring to the bowl of spiced tater tots that we were snacking on. “I just have one or two. You can enjoy them and not overdo it.”

So, that’s what I decided to do with his Killer Hazelnut Brownie Bites. 25 perfect little chocolate-y, hazelnut-y squares that you can pop into your mouth and finish in two bites.

Good luck stopping at one or two.

Killer Hazelnut Brownie Bites
Author: 
Recipe type: Sweet Treats
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 16 squares
 
Ingredients
  • 1 stick butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
  • 1 cup turbinado sugar
  • ½ vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • ¼ cup cake flour
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup chopped hazelnuts
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Line an 8 by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease and flour.
  3. In a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together, butter, sugar, vanilla seeds and vanilla extract. Add eggs and mix until well incorporated.
  4. Mix together the dry ingredients and slowly add it to the egg mixture. Mix until well incorporated.
  5. Pour the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly, add hazelnuts to the top.
  6. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until brownies are set and begin to pull away from the side.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack. Once cooled, remove brownies from pan and cut into 1½-inch squares for individual bites.
 

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19 Comments

  • Reply
    Dorothy
    September 22, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I would like to know where is the star of food network Big Daddy’s House, that was the person I really enjoyed watching. Please let me know what is going on.

  • Reply
    Nancy
    August 6, 2011 at 6:32 am

    I wish Aaron McCargo was on TV eveyday. His food is wonderful and his delivery is tops!!!

  • Reply
    chinga
    October 24, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    Love the apple popcicle for the kids, also the peanutbutter and jelly bread pudding, now I’m looking for the recipes for my grandchildren to share.

  • Reply
    Barbara
    September 1, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    I love Aaron McCargo’show, Big Daddy’s House. He shows how to make hearty delicious meals. Full of Flavor.
    Go Big Daddy!!!

  • Reply
    Dana
    October 14, 2009 at 2:01 am

    Awesome picture of you with him!

  • Reply
    megan
    October 11, 2009 at 10:44 am

    I bet that was a blast! Aaron seems like such a nice guy! Those broewnies dont look like they are having too hard of a time finding friends either. Helloooo Brownie!

  • Reply
    harcoutbreton
    October 11, 2009 at 5:38 am

    Vanilla beans add on is perfect of this dessert.

  • Reply
    Kerstin
    October 10, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    How cool you got to meet and chat with Aaron! The brownies look fabulous!

  • Reply
    Lara (Thinspired)
    October 10, 2009 at 10:43 am

    Hi Maris! What an awesome experience! Hehe…love your boss’ advice about celebrities/regular people. I am totally the opposite of you and get REALLY star struck. I am sure I would feel that way even if I met a high-profile blogger or something. I’m a dork like that.
    Cute photo!

  • Reply
    Amy J in SC
    October 10, 2009 at 10:32 am

    What a fun time. Jealous.

  • Reply
    Matt
    October 10, 2009 at 3:44 am

    I’m gonna make those tomorrow. Thanks for the recipe.

  • Reply
    Sarah Caron
    October 9, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    Isn’t he so down to Earth? I interviewed him a few years ago and was taken with how normal he was.
    As for those brownies … OMG. They look amazing.

  • Reply
    heather
    October 9, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    ohh! lucky you! those brownies look delicious and aaron sounds so cool!

  • Reply
    NutmegNanny
    October 9, 2009 at 10:40 am

    Those brownies look great! I had no idea you worked in PR. How fun:) I agree about celebrities too. I work for a celebrity but she is so down to earth you would never know. Although if someone sat me down to meet Ina Garten I might freak out…haha.

  • Reply
    Hélène
    October 8, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    Those brownies are a killer. They look so delish.

  • Reply
    thatShortChick
    October 8, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    holy smokes those brownies look and sound delicious!!! I DEFINITELY have to try those!
    and yay! for aaron being from jersey..I didn’t know that. my mom likes watching his show and frequently makes some of his recipes.

  • Reply
    mandy
    October 8, 2009 at 10:25 am

    How fun! What a great opportunity to meet a fun Food Network celeb and these brownies look delicious!

  • Reply
    VeggieGirl
    October 8, 2009 at 5:38 am

    AWESOME opportunity!!

  • Reply
    Daryl
    October 8, 2009 at 5:17 am

    Those look absolutely incredible. Why were these not shared with me!

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