Easy Homemade Nutella Star Bread Recipe – Sweet Holiday Treat

Soft, pillowy dough swirled with creamy Nutella star bread recipe creates a mesmerizing centerpiece that’ll make breakfast feel like a celebration.

Sweet chocolate hazelnut spread dances between layers of tender pastry, promising pure indulgence.

Every twist and fold tells a delicious story of comfort and warmth.

The golden-brown edges beckon with their flaky, buttery promise.

Intricate braiding transforms simple ingredients into an artistic masterpiece that looks far more complicated than it actually is.

Each slice reveals beautiful spirals of rich, chocolatey goodness.

This irresistible bread brings joy to weekend mornings and afternoon tea times.

Let’s unravel the magic of this stunning pastry that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

FAQs

• What ingredients do I need to have before starting the recipe?

You’ll need flour, yeast, sugar, salt, butter, milk, eggs, Nutella, and icing sugar. Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.

• Can I make this recipe without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can knead the dough by hand. Mix ingredients, then knead on a floured surface for about 10-12 minutes until smooth and elastic. It requires more effort but works perfectly.

• Is it necessary to warm the Nutella before spreading?

Warming Nutella for about 15 seconds makes it more spreadable and easier to distribute evenly across the dough layers. This helps create a consistent filling throughout the star bread.

• What's the trick to getting a perfect star shape?

The key is cutting 16 even strips from the center and twisting each pair of strips twice while pinching the ends together. This technique creates the beautiful star pattern and seals the Nutella layers.

What Makes Nutella Star Bread a Showstopper

• Create a delightful baking experience that brings everyone together, turning a simple recipe into a fun, interactive kitchen adventure.
• Craft a stunning pastry that looks professionally made but requires minimal baking skills, perfect for home cooks wanting to wow their guests.
• Enjoy a dessert that works for multiple occasions, from casual weekend treats to elegant brunch gatherings, satisfying both kids and adults with its chocolate-hazelnut goodness.

Ingredients for Nutella Star Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: A core ingredient that provides the base structure for the star bread.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for helping the dough rise and creating a light, airy texture.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness to the bread dough.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the bread.

• Butter, Milk: Work together to create a rich, soft dough with a tender crumb.
• Egg: Provides moisture and helps bind the dough ingredients.

• Nutella: Creates a delicious chocolate-hazelnut swirl throughout the star bread.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds a sweet, decorative finish to the baked bread.
• Additional Egg (for egg wash): Gives the bread a shiny, golden-brown exterior when baked.

How to Shape and Bake Star Bread

Step 1: Prepare Warm Milk Mixture

Gently melt butter with part of the milk over low heat.

Stir continuously to prevent scorching.

Add remaining cold milk to create a warm liquid that won’t harm the yeast.

Aim for a lukewarm temperature that will help yeast activate perfectly.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

• Flour
• Yeast
• Sugar
• Salt

Pour in milk mixture and crack an egg.

Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Switch to dough hook and knead for 6-7 minutes until smooth and stretchy.

Step 3: Allow First Rise

Transfer dough to an oiled bowl.

Coat completely with oil.

Cover with plastic wrap.

Let rise in a warm spot for about an hour until volume doubles.

Step 4: Layer Nutella Circles

Divide dough into four equal pieces.

Roll first piece into a 12-inch circle on baking paper.

Microwave Nutella for 15 seconds to make spreadable.

Spread Nutella on dough, leaving a 1-inch border.

Step 5: Stack Nutella Layers

Continue rolling and stacking dough circles.

Spread Nutella between each layer.

Leave top layer plain without Nutella.

Step 6: Create Star Shape

Place small ramekin in dough center.

Cut four initial slits from ramekin to edge.

Divide each section repeatedly until you have 16 strips.

Step 7: Twist into Star Design

Twist each strip pair away from each other twice.

Pinch strip ends together to form points.

This technique creates the signature star shape while sealing Nutella layers.

Step 8: Final Rise and Prep

Cover bread with plastic wrap.

Let rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Brush bread surface with beaten egg for golden shine.

Step 9: Bake and Serve

Bake for 22 minutes, rotating midway.

Look for golden brown color.

Cool slightly.

Dust with powdered sugar.

Serve warm and enjoy the delightful Nutella swirls.

Star Bread Tips You’ll Want to Know

• Warm milk at the right temperature ensures your yeast wakes up without dying, creating a soft, fluffy dough that rises beautifully.
• Slightly warm Nutella makes spreading easier and prevents tearing the delicate dough, ensuring even coverage between layers.
• Gently twist paired strips away from each other twice to create a stunning star shape that locks in the Nutella and adds gorgeous visual appeal.
• Brushing beaten egg on the bread before baking gives a gorgeous golden sheen and creates a professional-looking pastry with a rich, glossy finish.
• Use baking paper when transferring to prevent stretching or tearing, maintaining the intricate star shape and preserving the delicate Nutella layers.

Saving and Reheating This Sweet Bread

• Store the star bread in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and preserve its delicious texture.
• Carefully wrap the completely cooled bread in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Ensure all air is pressed out to prevent freezer burn.
• Keep the bread at room temperature for 1-2 days in a sealed container or wrapped in plastic wrap. Place in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to maintain freshness.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For larger portions, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes, which helps restore the bread's original soft texture and brings out the Nutella's gooey warmth.

What Pairs Nicely With Nutella Bread

• Pair Creamy Espresso: Rich, dark espresso complements the sweet Nutella perfectly, cutting through the bread's richness with its bold flavor profile.
• Complement Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cool, smooth vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, chocolate-hazelnut star bread, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Match Fresh Raspberry Coulis: Tart raspberry sauce adds a bright, fruity dimension that balances the dense, sweet Nutella bread, introducing a refreshing tangy element.
• Serve Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Lightly spiced whipped cream enhances the bread's warmth, adding a subtle aromatic touch that elevates the overall dessert complexity.

Flavor Options for Star Bread

• Gluten-Free Nutella Star Bread: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better structure and elasticity.
• Vegan Chocolate Spread Version: Swap Nutella for dairy-free chocolate spread made from coconut milk, cocoa powder, and maple syrup. Use plant-based milk and egg replacer to create a completely vegan star bread.
• Reduced Sugar Alternative: Use sugar-free chocolate hazelnut spread and substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. This option reduces overall sugar content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
• Nut-Free Adaptation: Replace Nutella with sunflower seed chocolate spread for those with nut allergies. Ensure all ingredients are processed in a nut-free facility to prevent cross-contamination.

Nutella Star Bread Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 52 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful Nutella Star Bread brings festive Mediterranean charm to your kitchen, weaving chocolate-hazelnut magic into a swirled masterpiece. Intricate layers promise pure indulgence, inviting you to savor each golden, twirled slice with delicious anticipation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 455 grams (3 1/2 cups or 1 lb) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (250 ml) cold milk
• 34 cup Nutella

Sweeteners and Seasonings:

• 13 cup (66 g or 2.3 oz) white granulated sugar
• 12 teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 57 grams (1/4 cup or 2 oz) unsalted butter
• 214 teaspoons (1 sachet or 7 g) instant or active dry yeast
• Icing sugar (powdered sugar) for dusting

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Instructions

1. Warm milk and butter gently on low heat, stirring continuously to prevent scorching. Combine cold milk to achieve lukewarm temperature, ensuring optimal yeast activation.
2. Mix dry ingredients in stand mixer bowl: flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add milk mixture and egg, creating a shaggy dough. Knead with dough hook for 6-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Transfer dough to oiled bowl, coating surface. Cover and let rise in warm environment for approximately one hour or until volume doubles.
4. Divide dough into four equal portions. Roll first piece into 12-inch circle on baking paper. Microwave Nutella for 15 seconds to enhance spreadability, then apply evenly across dough, maintaining 1-inch border.
5. Layer subsequent dough circles, spreading Nutella between each. Place final dough layer without chocolate spread.
6. Carefully transfer dough using baking paper. Position small ramekin in center, creating strategic cutting guide. Slice 16 uniform strips radiating from center.
7. Twist strip pairs in opposite directions twice, pinching ends to form decorative star shape. Ensure Nutella layers remain securely enclosed.
8. Allow bread to proof, covered, for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush surface with beaten egg for lustrous golden appearance.
9. Bake 22 minutes, rotating midway, until achieving rich golden color. Cool briefly, dust with powdered sugar, and serve while warm for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Choose a warm, draft-free spot for dough rising to ensure perfect yeast activation and optimal bread texture.
• Slightly warm Nutella helps spread evenly without tearing delicate dough layers, creating smooth and consistent filling.
• Work quickly when twisting strips to maintain dough’s temperature and prevent potential dryness or tough texture.
• Use parchment paper for easy transfer and clean removal, preventing potential sticking or bread shape distortion.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg