Description
This Nutella Swirl Bread is a delightful homemade chocolate treat featuring a moist, flavorful bread with rich Nutella swirls and a crunchy toasted hazelnut streusel topping. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, it combines the comforting texture of bread with luscious chocolate-hazelnut flavor and a beautiful marbled effect.
Ingredients
Scale
Streusel Topping
- 2 tablespoons Flour (Substitute with oats for added texture)
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar (Can be replaced with white sugar for a less robust flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon Salt (Enhances the sweetness of the bread)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (Chilled, crucial for richness in the streusel)
- ½ cup Chopped Toasted Hazelnuts (Substitute with walnuts or almonds if desired)
Bread Batter
- 2¼ cups Flour (Main structure for the Nutella Swirl Bread)
- ½ teaspoon Salt (For flavor balance)
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder (Aids in rising the bread)
- 1 cup Sugar (Sweetens the bread)
- ½ cup Butter (Room Temperature, provides moisture and richness)
- 2 large Eggs (Bind ingredients together and add richness)
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (Imparts flavor)
- ½ cup Milk (Substitute with almond milk for a dairy-free option)
Nutella Swirl Mixture
- ½ cup Nutella (Main flavor component)
- 2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder (Intensifies the chocolate flavor)
- 1 tablespoon Warm Water (Helps to combine the Nutella mix)
- ¼ cup Chopped Toasted Hazelnuts (to fold into the Nutella mixture)
Instructions
- Prepare the Streusel: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons chilled butter. Mix until crumbly, then fold in ½ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts. Set this mixture aside to use as the topping later.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready once the bread batter is prepared.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and 2 teaspoons baking powder. Set aside.
- Make the Batter Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat ½ cup room temperature butter and 1 cup sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually alternate adding the flour mixture and ½ cup milk into the butter mixture. Mix gently and just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Prepare Nutella Mixture: In a small bowl, stir together ½ cup Nutella, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, ¼ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts, and 1 tablespoon warm water until smooth and well blended.
- Create Two Batters: Divide the bread batter evenly into two bowls. Fold the Nutella mixture into one half gently until marbled and combined, keeping some streaks visible for the swirl effect.
- Layer the Batter: Grease a loaf pan well. Spoon alternating scoops of plain batter and Nutella batter into the loaf pan, layering them to build beautiful contrast between plain and chocolatey swirls.
- Make the Swirl Pattern: Using a knife, gently swirl through the layered batter in the pan to create an attractive marbled effect, taking care not to over mix.
- Bake with Streusel: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. Then carefully sprinkle the reserved streusel topping evenly over the loaf and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the bread is golden, a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, and the topping is crisp.
- Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes in the pan. Then transfer the loaf onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts and maintain texture.
Notes
- You can substitute oats for the flour in the streusel for added texture and health benefits.
- If you prefer a less intense sweetness, replace brown sugar with white sugar in the streusel.
- Almond milk works well as a dairy-free substitute for regular milk in this recipe.
- Use walnuts or almonds if hazelnuts are unavailable or for a different nutty flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread light and tender.
- Ensure the butter used in the streusel is chilled to achieve the best crumbly texture.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to preserve the marbled pattern and avoid squishing.
