Braided Nutella Bread Recipe
Nutella Bread is the perfect sweet treat that can be enjoyed at any timeāwhether itās breakfast, a mid-morning snack, or dessert. This tender Nutella bread recipe combines the soft texture of homemade sweet dough with the rich, chocolate hazelnut flavor of Nutella spread, making it a must-try for any Nutella lover.
Encased in a golden brown, slightly sweet bread, the creamy Nutella creates a deliciously indulgent experience. The faux braid might seem a little intimidating at first, but with these step-by-step photos and tips, youāll find it easy to master. Whether youāre making it for the first time or youāre an experienced baker, this Nutella star bread is sure to impress.
This recipe makes two loaves of delicious breadāperfect for sharing and enjoying with family and friends, or even gifting to someone special.
Ingredients
To create this rich dough filled with chocolate hazelnut spread, youāll need the following dough ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- Ā¼ cup sugar
- 1 packet rapid or quick yeast
- 3 cups flour, bread flour, preferably
- Ā½ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick of butter, melted and cooled
- Nutella
How To Make Nutella Bread
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by warming the milk in the microwave for 40ā50 seconds on HIGH until itās lukewarm, but not hot. In a medium bowl, combine the milk, sugar, and yeast, and let it sit for 5 minutes or until foamy.
Next, place the bread flour and salt in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. On low speed, add the yeast mixture and the cooled, melted butter. Combine until the dough is smooth, scraping the edges of the bowl as needed. Increase to medium speed and knead for 3-5 minutes until the bread dough is elastic.
Step 2: First Rise
Transfer the dough to a large bowl that has been lightly oiled or greased with melted butter. Turn the dough to coat all sides. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and place the bowl in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about an hour.
My trick: I heat my oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit and then turn it off. This creates a nice warm, draft-free environment ideal for “proofing” bread dough.
You can use the bread once it has risen or you can wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze to use at a later time. (The dough can be frozen for 2-3 months.)
Step 3: Shape the Dough
Once risen, divide the dough in half, working with one piece of dough at a time. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle. Spread a generous spoonful of Nutella down the center of the rolled dough, creating a thick layer of chocolate hazelnut spread. (My middles are usually quite generous because I like a lot of filling.)
Using a sharp knife, cut 1-inch strips along the length of each side of the dough, stopping just before you reach the Nutella spread.
Start braiding by folding the top strip over the filling at an angle toward the opposite direction.
Continue this process down the loaf, alternating sides.
When you reach the end be sure to tuck or pinch the final piece. This may not be real pretty and you can always cut it off after it has baked. (You can consider it your sample piece and enjoy it.)
Step 4: Second Rise
Place the braided Nutella bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover again and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. (I prefer to spray my loaves with nonstick spray instead of covering them.)
Step 5: Baking Time
Preheat your oven to 350Ā°F. Brush the top of the bread with an egg wash made from one beaten egg and a splash of milk. Bake the Nutella bread for 20-25 minutes, or until the top of the bread is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190Ā°F.
Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack before slicing. Store any leftovers in an airtight container. You can also wrap slices of bread in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
This Nutella bread is perfect with a big glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee. Whether youāre serving it as part of breakfast, as a sweet mid-morning treat, or as dessert, itās sure to be a hit.
Nutella Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- Ā¼ cup sugar
- 1 packet rapid or quick yeast
- 3 cups flour bread flour, preferably
- Ā½ teaspoon salt
- Ā½ cup butter melted and cooled
- Nutella
Instructions
- Warm milk in microwave for 40 – 50 seconds on HIGH. It should be warm, but not hot.
- Combine milk, sugar, and yeast and let sit for 5 minutes or until foamy.
- Place flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. On low, add yeast mixture and cooled butter. Combine until smooth. Increase speed and knead for 3-5 minutes.
- Place dough in a large bowl that has been “greased” with oil, turning to coat the dough.
- Place in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled in size, about an hour. Divide dough in half and work one half at a time.
- Roll each half into a rectangle on a lightly-floured surface.
- Spread Nutella down the middle third of the rectangle lengthwise.
- With a sharp knife, cut 1-inch strips down both sides of dough from filling to edge.
- Starting at one end, fold a strip from one sides towards the middle. Next, fold the strip directly across over onto the first strip. Repeat. (See How to Braid Bread for further directions.)
- Place on a baking sheet and let rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled again. (I like to spray my loaves with nonstick spray.)
- Bake loaves for 20 to 25 minutes in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool before cutting. Store in an airtight container.
can i use the all purpose flour instead of the bread flour?
I would think that it would work. Worst case scenario – you end up with a delicious mistake.
How long do you keep in bread machine? Does the bread machine knead it or do I mix by hand?
I use the dough cycle on the bread machine. It does all of the kneading for you. Cycles can vary depending on manufacturer and can be anywhere from an hour to an hour and half. You will need to leave the dough in the machine until the dough cycle is complete.
Holy crap! This looks OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!
It is!!!
Nutella is so delicious, I bet this would be gobbled up quickly in my house!
That looks really good!
that looks so fantastic…I wish I had some now
OH MY GOSH… Nutella is the only “chocolate” that I truly love and in bread, YUM.
Wow – that looks super good! I might have to make that for V-Day! What an awesome recipe!
Hey! I am so happy that you posted this! I am so excited….I’m going to make it today!! I love the blog!
Thanks, Kelly! (BTW, your grandchildren are BEA U TI FUL!!!)
This looks wonderful and I’m glad you included the photos. I know it took a lot of effort to take photos of every different phase but it makes the recipe so much easier to follow.
This is the best! I make this for my family often, with regular flour. I do add another 1/2 cup of flour, as I live in a humid southern state. I use my bread machine on the dough cycle. Kids love it!