Nutella Babka Buns Recipe

Easy Homemade Nutella Babka Buns Recipe for Sweet Mornings

Warm, gooey nutella babka buns dance between decadent pastry and pure comfort.

Sweet spirals of dough wind through rich chocolate spread, creating magic in every bite.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen flood back with each tender, swirled morsel.

European bakery traditions merge with modern twists in this irresistible treat.

Soft yeasted dough embraces silky chocolate, promising indulgence in every layer.

Fragrant spices and melted chocolate weave through delicate folds, tempting you to break off a piece.

Weekend baking just became your new favorite adventure.

What Makes Nutella Babka Buns So Enjoyable

  • Quick Family Treat: Prepare these crowd-pleasing buns in just under two hours, making them perfect for spontaneous family gatherings or weekend brunch celebrations where everyone can enjoy a warm, chocolatey pastry.
  • Customizable Comfort: Personalize the recipe by adding chopped hazelnuts or adjusting the glaze consistency, allowing bakers of all levels to create a unique twist on this classic sweet bread that suits individual taste preferences.
  • Stress-Free Baking Adventure: With straightforward steps and basic ingredients, these Nutella Babka Buns offer a beginner-friendly baking experience that delivers professional-looking results without requiring advanced culinary techniques.

Nutella Babka Buns: Ingredient Details

Flour Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Base for the soft and tender bun texture, provides structure and consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with yeast activation.
Yeast and Activating Ingredients:
  • Active Dry Yeast: Essential for dough rising and creating light, airy texture, needs lukewarm milk to activate.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Whole Milk: Lukewarm milk helps yeast bloom and creates soft dough, contributes to rich flavor.
  • Large Eggs: Provide richness, help bind ingredients, and add moisture to the dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones.
  • Unsalted Butter: Softened butter creates tender, rich texture and adds depth to the dough.
Filling and Topping Ingredients:
  • Nutella: Chocolate-hazelnut spread creating delicious swirls and gooey center.
  • Chopped Hazelnuts: Optional topping for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
Glaze Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze.
  • Milk: Thins powdered sugar to perfect drizzling consistency.

Nutella Babka Buns You’ll Want on Repeat

Step 1: Whip Up the Dough

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine flour, sugar, and yeast.

Pour in lukewarm milk, crack in eggs, splash vanilla extract, and sprinkle salt.

Mix everything until it starts coming together.

Knead in softened butter gradually – use your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook.

Work the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes silky smooth and stretchy.

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a cozy spot until it doubles in size (around 1-1.5 hours).

Step 2: Create Swirly Layers

Dust your work surface with flour and roll the dough into a large rectangle.

Spread Nutella generously across the surface, leaving a small border.

Optional add-ins:
  • Chopped hazelnuts
  • Chocolate chips
  • Cinnamon

Roll the dough tightly from the long side, forming a beautiful log.

Slice into 12 even pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.

Step 3: Prepare for Baking

Arrange the bun slices in a greased baking dish, giving them room to grow.

Cover with a towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Bake the buns for 25-30 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 5: Drizzle with Sweet Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl until smooth.

Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if needed.

Step 6: Final Touch and Serve

Drizzle the glaze over warm buns.

Serve immediately and savor the gooey Nutella swirls and tender, pillowy dough!

Babka Dough Tips for Nutella Swirl Success

  • Ensure milk is lukewarm (not hot) to activate yeast without killing it, which helps create soft, fluffy texture.
  • Work the dough thoroughly for 10 minutes to develop gluten, creating that perfect elastic consistency needed for tender buns.
  • Spread Nutella evenly and thinly to prevent burning or uneven distribution during baking, ensuring each bite has balanced flavor.
  • Choose a draft-free, warm area like near a preheated oven or on top of the refrigerator to help dough rise consistently and quickly.
  • Use dental floss or a sharp serrated knife to cut log into even slices, preventing squishing and maintaining beautiful swirl pattern.

Save Nutella Babka Buns for Later

  • Store cooled Nutella babka buns in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap each bun individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
  • Stash buns in a freezer-safe container for maximum 2 months. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their delicate texture.
  • Warm briefly in microwave for 15-20 seconds or place in 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Drizzle fresh glaze to restore original softness and flavor.
  • Remove from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Warm gently in oven at 300°F for 8-10 minutes to revive their freshly-baked taste and pillowy texture.

Pairing Picks for Nutella Babka Buns

  • Brew Rich Espresso Companion: Dark, bold espresso cuts through the sweetness of Nutella, creating a balanced flavor experience that highlights the buns' rich chocolate notes.
  • Select Creamy Hazelnut Milkshake: Amplify the nutty undertones by serving a chilled hazelnut milkshake that complements the hazelnuts and Nutella, offering a decadent dessert pairing.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cold, smooth vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, gooey Nutella buns, creating a luxurious texture and temperature contrast.
  • Sip Amaretto Liqueur: For adult gatherings, a small glass of smooth amaretto liqueur enhances the almond and hazelnut flavors, elevating the dessert's sophisticated profile.

Nutella Buns Filling Experiments

  • Vegan Chocolate Spread Babka Buns: Replace Nutella with dairy-free chocolate spread, use plant-based milk, and swap eggs with flax eggs for a completely vegan version that maintains rich chocolate flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Almond Babka Buns: Substitute wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend, add xanthan gum for better texture, and use almond butter instead of Nutella for a nutty alternative.
  • Reduced Sugar Berry Babka Buns: Swap Nutella with low-sugar raspberry preserves, use alternative sweeteners like stevia in the dough, and incorporate fresh berries for natural sweetness and lighter profile.
  • Keto-Friendly Cinnamon Babka Buns: Use almond flour and coconut flour for low-carb base, replace Nutella with sugar-free chocolate spread, add cinnamon for extra flavor, and use sugar substitute in glaze.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients in Nutella Babka Buns?

The key ingredients include flour, sugar, yeast, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, butter, Nutella, and optional hazelnuts. These components create a rich, sweet, and soft pastry with chocolate-hazelnut swirls.

  • Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. After the first rise, you can refrigerate the dough overnight. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature and proceed with shaping and baking.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these buns?

You’ll need a mixing bowl, stand mixer or hand mixer with a dough hook, rolling pin, sharp knife or dental floss for cutting, and a baking dish. A kitchen towel for covering the dough is also helpful.

  • How do I know when the buns are properly baked?

The buns are done when they turn golden brown and look fully cooked through. Insert a toothpick into the center – if it comes out clean, the buns are ready. The entire baking process takes about 25-30 minutes at 350°F.

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Nutella Babka Buns Recipe

Nutella Babka Buns Recipe


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4.6 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Swirling Nutella babka buns invite chocolate lovers into a world of irresistible sweetness and comfort. Mediterranean-inspired pastry twists deliver rich, indulgent layers that melt deliciously in your mouth, promising pure bliss with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 cups (480 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (320 grams) Nutella spread

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped hazelnuts (optional)

Liquid Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) whole milk, lukewarm (about 110°F)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. Craft a velvety dough by blending flour, sugar, and yeast in a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate lukewarm milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt, stirring until a cohesive mixture forms. Gradually knead the softened butter into the developing dough, working it thoroughly on a dusted surface or using a stand mixer with a dough hook for approximately 10 minutes until achieving a silky, pliable consistency.
  2. Transfer the dough to a greased container, drape with a clean cloth, and allow it to proof in a warm environment until it expands to double its original volume, roughly 1-1.5 hours.
  3. Unfurl the risen dough onto a flour-dusted workspace, stretching it into a rectangular shape measuring about 16×12 inches. Generously spread Nutella across the surface, maintaining a half-inch border. Scatter chopped hazelnuts over the chocolate layer if desired.
  4. Tightly roll the dough from its lengthy edge, creating a compact log. Slice the log into 12 uniform sections using a razor-sharp knife or dental floss for precision.
  5. Arrange the dough segments in a greased baking dish, allowing slight separation between each bun to accommodate further rising. Shroud the dish with a towel and permit a secondary proofing for 30 minutes.
  6. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the buns until they transform into a rich golden hue and cook completely, approximately 25-30 minutes.
  7. While baking, whisk powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl until achieving a smooth glaze. Adjust liquid proportions as needed to reach the ideal consistency.
  8. Once baked, drizzle the glaze over warm buns, creating an enticing finish. Serve immediately to savor the decadent Nutella-swirled, pillowy pastries.

Notes

  • Keep dough temperature consistent by using lukewarm milk and letting ingredients reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, elastic texture.
  • Prevent sticking while rolling by dusting work surface generously with flour and using parchment paper for easier handling.
  • For dairy-free adaptation, substitute milk with almond milk and use plant-based butter alternative to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Control Nutella distribution by warming spread slightly for smoother spreading and more even coverage inside the buns.
  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Jewish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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