Imagine the delightful aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen, promising a treat that’s both comforting and utterly indulgent. This Homemade Nutella Twist Bread delivers exactly that! Combining your love for incredibly soft, pillowy dough with the rich, luxurious chocolate-hazelnut goodness of Nutella, this recipe is surprisingly simple to make, yet looks like it came straight from a gourmet bakery. Each delicate swirl of light and airy bread is generously layered with that irresistible spread, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every single bite.

You don’t need to be a seasoned baker to create this show-stopping bread. My straightforward, easy-to-follow steps ensure a perfect result every single time. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this delightful creation that’s perfect for any occasion, from a special breakfast to a decadent dessert!

The Magic of Nutella Twist Bread: A Bakery-Worthy Delight

Nutella bread holds a special place in our hearts and homes, and for good reason! This stunning twisted loaf draws its inspiration from traditional European sweet breads, such as the magnificent povitica, but with a wonderfully modern and approachable twist. While povitica can be intricate, this recipe simplifies the process without sacrificing any of the visual appeal or mouthwatering flavor, making it a perfect sweet braided bread for home bakers.

Each perfectly baked layer of this sweet bread offers a rich, chocolatey experience, making it an ideal choice for any meal. Serve it warm, and you’ll be treated to a gloriously gooey chocolate hazelnut filling that’s simply divine. Enjoy it at room temperature, and you’ll discover a soft, flavorful bite that’s equally satisfying. Whether it’s the centerpiece of your breakfast table, a delightful addition to brunch, or a decadent dessert, this Nutella Twist Bread is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone who tries it!

This recipe was a wonderful challenge inspired by Sawsan of Chef in Disguise for the Daring Bakers, proving that beautiful, filled loaves of bread can be as incredible to look at as they are to eat. You too can achieve these stunning results in your own kitchen with this easy Nutella swirl bread recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Nutella Twist Bread Recipe

• Beginner-Friendly: Despite its impressive appearance, this recipe uses simple techniques and ingredients, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels. No complicated braiding is required!
• Incredibly Delicious: The combination of a soft, pillowy sweet bread dough and creamy, rich Nutella is simply irresistible. It’s a flavor pairing that everyone adores, especially chocolate lovers.
• Visually Stunning: The beautiful twisted “star” shape makes this bread a showstopper at any gathering, perfect for potlucks, brunches, or holiday tables. It’s a true bakery-style bread you can make at home.
• Versatile Treat: Enjoy it for breakfast with your morning coffee, as a delightful dessert after dinner, or a sweet snack any time of day.
• Perfect Texture: The dough is light and airy, offering a wonderful contrast to the dense, flavorful Nutella filling, creating a perfect balance.
• Aromatic Experience: The scent of baking bread combined with chocolate and a hint of coffee will fill your home with an inviting and cozy aroma.

Key Ingredients for Your Homemade Nutella Twist Bread (and Pro Tips!)

Creating a truly spectacular Nutella Twist Bread starts with quality ingredients and a few helpful insights into how each one contributes to the final masterpiece:

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This secret ingredient is what makes the dough incredibly soft, tender, and slightly sweet. It contributes to the rich flavor and helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown crust. Ensure you use *sweetened* condensed milk, not evaporated milk, as they are not interchangeable.
• Instant Yeast: Instant yeast is a baker’s best friend, as it can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients without needing to be proofed first. This saves time and simplifies the process. Always ensure your yeast is fresh and active for the best rise and fluffiest texture!
• Vegetable Oil: Using a neutral-flavored oil like canola, sunflower, or grapeseed oil in the dough keeps it exceptionally moist and tender. It also allows for a longer shelf life at room temperature compared to butter-based doughs.
• Lukewarm Water: The water should be warm enough to activate the yeast (ideally between 105-115°F or 40-46°C), but not too hot, which can kill the yeast and prevent your bread from rising. It should feel like a warm bath on your wrist.
• Large Eggs: Eggs add richness, moisture, structure, and a beautiful golden color to the dough. Using large eggs at room temperature (let them sit out for 30 minutes or place in warm water for 5 minutes) ensures better incorporation into the mix, leading to a more uniform dough.
• All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour works perfectly for this recipe, providing the right balance of structure and tenderness. For best results, measure your flour by weighing it (about 120g per cup) or by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly from the bag.
• Salt: A small amount of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the bread, and regulating yeast activity. Don’t skip this important ingredient!
• Nutella: The star of the show! Use genuine Nutella for that unmistakable chocolate hazelnut flavor. If your Nutella is too stiff to spread easily, a quick 10-15 second microwave zap will soften it to the perfect, silky consistency. This makes spreading much easier and prevents tearing the delicate dough layers.
• Coffee Glaze Ingredients (Milk Powder, Hot Water, Sugar, Instant Coffee): This unique glaze adds a beautiful, glossy shine and a subtle, sophisticated depth of flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate hazelnut. The instant coffee enhances the chocolate notes without making the glaze taste strongly of coffee.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Homemade Nutella Twist Bread

Andréa

How to Make the Perfect Nutella Twist Bread: A Detailed Guide

Creating this stunning Nutella Twist Bread is easier than it looks! Follow these detailed instructions closely for a beautiful, fluffy, and delicious result that will impress everyone.

Part 1: Crafting the Soft & Fluffy Dough

1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, instant yeast, vegetable oil, lukewarm water, and large eggs. Whisk them gently but thoroughly until they are well combined. Remember, the lukewarm water (around 105-115°F or 40-46°C) is essential for activating the yeast; water that’s too hot will kill it, and water that’s too cold won’t activate it effectively.
2. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Begin adding the all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, along with the salt. Mix thoroughly after each addition. You can use a sturdy spoon, a spatula, or a stand mixer with a dough hook. Initially, the dough may feel a bit sticky, which is perfectly normal for a rich, sweet dough. Continue kneading for about 5-7 minutes by hand or with the stand mixer until the dough becomes smoother, more elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It should still have a slight tackiness to the touch, but not be overly sticky. Resist the urge to add too much extra flour, as this can result in a dry, dense bread.
3. First Rise (Proofing): Lightly grease a clean, large bowl with a little vegetable oil. Transfer the kneaded dough into the bowl, turning it once to coat all sides with the oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place the covered bowl in a warm, draft-free place (like a turned-off oven with the light on, or near a warm window) and allow the dough to rise for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has visibly doubled in size. This crucial step is what gives the bread its signature light and airy texture.
4. Prepare for Shaping: Once the dough has successfully risen, gently punch it down to release the trapped air. This step helps redistribute the yeast and creates a finer crumb. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Using a kitchen scale for precision, divide the dough into four equal portions. This ensures uniform layers and a beautifully symmetrical final loaf.
5. Roll the Dough Layers: Take one portion of dough and, using a rolling pin, roll it into a neat circle, roughly 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. The thickness should be consistent. Carefully transfer this first circle to a piece of parchment paper or a lightly floured baking sheet. Repeat this process for the remaining three portions of dough, stacking them as you go, keeping a little flour between layers to prevent sticking if you’re not adding Nutella immediately.

Part 2: Layering the Irresistible Nutella Filling

6. First Nutella Layer: Take your first rolled dough circle. Generously spread about one-third of the Nutella evenly across the entire surface, leaving a small border (about ½ inch or 1 cm) around the edges. This border will help seal the Nutella inside during baking. If your Nutella is too thick to spread easily and you find it tearing the dough, microwave it for just 10-15 seconds to achieve a smoother, more spreadable consistency.
7. Second Nutella Layer: Carefully place a second dough circle directly on top of the first Nutella-covered layer. Gently press it down with your hands, starting from the center and working outwards, to remove any air pockets between the layers. Now, spread another one-third of the Nutella over this second layer, again leaving that small border around the edge.
8. Third Nutella Layer: Add the third dough circle on top, gently press it down, and then spread the remaining Nutella evenly over its surface. You should now have three delicious layers of Nutella sandwiched between four layers of soft dough.
9. Top Layer & Butter Brush: Place the final, fourth dough circle on top. This top layer will *not* have Nutella. Instead, lightly brush the entire top surface of this final dough layer with melted butter. This simple step will contribute to a beautiful golden-brown crust and a deliciously rich aroma during baking.

Part 3: Mastering the Signature Twist (Shaping Guide)

This is where the magic happens and your bread transforms into a visually stunning masterpiece!

10. Prepare for Cutting: With your layered dough stack ready, place a small, round object (like a 1-2 inch (2.5-5 cm) cookie cutter, a small glass, or even just a cap) in the very center of the dough. This will serve as your guide for the central point and ensures you don’t cut all the way through the middle.
11. Make the Cuts: Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, make eight evenly spaced cuts from the edge of the central circle outwards towards the perimeter of the dough. Think of it like dividing a pizza into eight slices, but importantly, stop cutting before you reach the outer edge of the dough. You should leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the outer edge intact; this is crucial as it holds all the “petals” or sections together.
12. Create the Twist: Now for the most exciting part! Gently take two adjacent “petals” or sections. Twist each one individually two to three times away from each other (for example, twist the left section clockwise and the right section counter-clockwise). Then, carefully pinch the ends of these two twisted sections together firmly to form a neat point. This action creates a beautiful, star-like or floral shape. Repeat this twisting and pinching process for all remaining pairs of sections around the circle, until your entire bread is beautifully twisted.
13. Second Rise (Optional but Recommended): For an even lighter and fluffier bread, cover the shaped dough loosely with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let it rest for another 15-20 minutes in a warm place while your oven preheats. This brief second rise helps the dough relax after handling and ensures a wonderfully tender crumb.

Part 4: Preparing the Aromatic Coffee Glaze

This unique coffee glaze adds an elegant sheen and a subtle flavor that perfectly complements the Nutella.

14. Mix Glaze Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the milk powder, hot water, sugar, and instant coffee. Whisk thoroughly until the sugar and coffee are fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth and free of any lumps. The hot water helps dissolve the dry ingredients quickly.
15. Apply the Glaze: Using a pastry brush, gently and evenly brush the prepared coffee glaze over the entire surface of your twisted Nutella bread. This glaze will contribute to a beautiful golden, shiny crust and infuse a subtle, aromatic coffee note that enhances the chocolate hazelnut flavors without overpowering them.

Part 5: Baking Your Masterpiece

Baking this bread involves two temperature stages to ensure a perfect bake and golden crust.

16. Initial High Heat Bake: Preheat your oven to a hot 465°F (240°C). Once preheated, carefully place the glazed and shaped bread in the oven. Bake for an initial 5 minutes. The high heat at the beginning helps the bread to puff up quickly and develop a beautiful, crisp crust.
17. Lower Temperature & Finish Baking: After the initial 5 minutes, and without opening the oven door too much to lose heat, reduce the oven temperature to 390°F (199°C). Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is a deep, appealing golden brown on top and cooked through. To check for doneness, you can gently tap the bottom of the loaf – it should sound hollow. Alternatively, an internal thermometer should read around 200-210°F (93-99°C).
18. Cool and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool slightly. While it’s absolutely delicious warm, allowing it to cool for about 15-20 minutes will help the Nutella filling set slightly, making it much easier to slice and enjoy without a gooey mess.

Serving Suggestions for Your Nutella Twist Bread

This versatile sweet bread is wonderful on its own, but here are some ideas to elevate your serving experience:

• Breakfast & Brunch Centerpiece: A warm slice of Nutella Twist Bread with a fresh cup of coffee or tea is the ultimate way to start your day. It’s also a fantastic addition to any brunch spread, beautifully complementing fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, and other pastries.
• Decadent Dessert Delight: Serve it as a dessert, perhaps with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream or a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving can also add a beautiful, elegant finish.
• Comforting Afternoon Snack: Enjoy a slice (or two!) with a cold glass of milk, a warm hot chocolate, or a spiced chai latte for a comforting and satisfying afternoon pick-me-up.
• Thoughtful Gifting: This stunning bread makes an incredibly thoughtful and impressive homemade gift for friends, family, or neighbors. Wrap it beautifully in cellophane with a festive ribbon, and it’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Advanced Tips and Delicious Variations for Your Twist Bread

Once you’ve mastered the basic Nutella Twist Bread, feel free to experiment with these tips and creative variations to make it your own!

• Nutella Temperature: As mentioned in the notes, if your Nutella is too firm and difficult to spread, a quick zap in the microwave (10-15 seconds) will make it perfectly pliable and spreadable. This simple trick prevents tearing the delicate dough layers.
• Alternative Glazes: While the coffee glaze adds a unique touch, you have other options! A simple egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) brushed over the dough before baking will give a lovely golden, shiny crust. For a different flavor profile, you could apply a simple powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little milk or lemon juice) after the bread has cooled slightly.
• Add Extra Crunch: For added texture and a more pronounced hazelnut flavor, sprinkle 3 tablespoons of finely chopped toasted hazelnuts over each Nutella layer before adding the next dough circle. This boosts the nutty goodness!
• Other Creative Fillings:
  • Classic Cinnamon Sugar: Mix 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon with ½ cup of granulated sugar and 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter. Spread this aromatic mixture between the layers instead of Nutella for a comforting classic.
  • Fruity Spreads: Try using a thick fruit jam or preserves (apricot, raspberry, or blueberry work exceptionally well) for a different flavor profile and a burst of fruitiness.
  • Chocolate & Orange Zest: For a sophisticated twist, mix finely grated orange zest (from one orange) directly into your Nutella or prepare a separate dark chocolate ganache infused with orange for an irresistible combination.
  • Sweet Cream Cheese Filling: A sweetened cream cheese filling (8 oz cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract) can also be a delightful and tangy alternative, offering a lovely contrast to the sweet bread.
• Shaping Variations: If you want to try a different look, instead of a star twist, you can also roll the entire layered dough into a tight log and then slice it into individual rolls (like cinnamon rolls) before baking, or even braid it like a traditional challah bread.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Nutella Twist Bread

To ensure your Homemade Nutella Twist Bread remains as fresh and delicious as possible, follow these storage recommendations:

• Room Temperature: Once the bread has completely cooled, store the entire loaf or individual slices in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days. This helps to keep the bread soft and prevents it from drying out.
• Reheating for Freshness: For that “fresh out of the oven” experience, simply warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, you can reheat the entire loaf or larger slices in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes until warmed through and the Nutella is slightly gooey again.
• Freezing for Longer Storage: This bread freezes beautifully, making it an excellent make-ahead option! Once completely cooled, wrap the entire loaf or individual slices tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. To serve, let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours before reheating or serving, or reheat directly from frozen in a low oven until warmed through.
• Make-Ahead Dough: You can prepare the dough up to the first rise. After the first rise, gently punch down the dough, place it in a lightly oiled bowl