Get ready to make the best sweet bread of your life. This Nutella babka is out of this world. It is sweet and luxurious, bursting with that Nutella flavor that is hard to resist. Plus, this babka is truly stunning. It is sure to impress your family and friends, but only share if you want to. You honestly may want to just eat the whole thing by yourself!
Why this is the best recipe
- It is super easy – No fancy ingredients are needed, literally made of flour, butter, milk, etc. Most of the work will be done by your mixer, while I will teach you the shaping and twisting process step by step
- It is not much effort, most of the time is just waiting for the dough to proof – The amount of effort in making Babka is really minimal, however, you will have to rest the dough in between steps.
- It is super delicious – Imagine a delicious buttery chocolate hazelnut swirl in soft, pillowy brioche dough. This Nutella Babka is totally addictive!
- No special equipment is needed – A stand mixer is super handy when it comes to kneading the Babka dough but apart from that, all you need is a loaf tin to bake, and you are good to go!
- It is super versatile – The Nutella Babka bread recipe can be made using different spices eg. cardamom, cinnamon, and orange zest in the dough. If you love Babka, try my Walnut Babka and Apple Cinnamon Babka recipe too!
What is Babka
Check out some more sweet bread recipes.
A babka is a sweet braided bread that originated in Jewish communities across the world like in Poland (that is why some call it Polish babka) or Hungary where I grew up. A traditional babka recipe is prepared with a yeast-leavened dough (similar or the same as challah) that is rolled out and spread with a filling such as chocolate, cinnamon, fruit, poppy seed, etc. Then, rolled up and the filling was twisted inside before baking.
Making Nutella babka loaf is really hassle-free, and easy and it is mostly about waiting for the dough to proof. You can totally make it at home even if you are a beginner baker!
Ingredient notes
For the Babka dough:
½ cup Whole milk at lukewarm temperature
2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
2 teaspoons Dry yeast
1 Egg yolk at room temperature
1 Egg at room temperature
2 cups Bread flour - high protein content flour
¼ teaspoon Salt
⅓ cup Unsalted butter at room temperature
For the filling:
½ cup Nutella
Syrup:
¼ cup Water
1 tablespoon Lemon juice freshly squeezed
½ cups Granulated sugar
How to work with yeast
Check my ultimate yeast guide for more information on how to handle yeast.
The process is easy: heat whole milk until lukewarm, mix the sugar in, then sprinkle yeast on top and wait 10 minutes until the yeast starts to foam. The same process applies whether you are using fresh or dried yeast. The key here is that your milk is warm enough (lukewarm) but not too hot. Make sure that your kitchen is not too cold (above 68F). If yeast does not start bubbling after 10 minutes, chances are very low that the dough will rise. I recommend starting over again with new, fresher yeast.
How to make the Babka dough
The Babka dough is basically a sweet bread, therefore the process of making it is similar to baking bread meaning, and it starts with kneading the dough.
Once the yeast is foamy, place all the wet ingredients (the yeasty mixture + egg) into the bowl of your stand mixer then after mixing for a minute, add the dry ingredients (bread flour, salt) and start kneading with the help of the dough hook. First, it will look a bit messy, but after a few minutes, the dough will start to come together then add soft butter in very small portions piece by piece while the mixer is on.
Very important that butter is at room temperature and soft, but not too soft or liquid which would make it impossible to mix that into the dough. Butter might not get mixed in immediately but keep your stand mixer on, and eventually, it will all come together.
How long does it take to rise this Nutella Babka dough
For more information go straight to the Nutella babka recipe.
There are two alternatives for rising the dough: quickly at room temp or slower in the fridge.
Many would choose the lazy quick one and rise the Babka dough at room temp for 1-2 hours, then punch the air out and start the rolling process, then filling. It can work too, however, for the perfect taste and texture I strongly suggest rising the dough overnight in the fridge. The overnight rise in the fridge not only makes the Babka texture fluffier and softer, but also makes your life easier when it comes to shaping and twisting the dough. With that, you will work with a cold dough that does not stick, plus the gluten is well-developed therefore it will be easier to roll it and handle.
So for the first rise, place the babka dough into a glass or plastic bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and leave it in the fridge for min 12 hours (overnight).
How to fill this Nutella Babka
For more information go straight to the Nutella babka recipe.
- Prepare your loaf tin and place parchment paper inside
- Roll the Babka dough on a Silicone baking mat in that way you do not need to add flour while rolling. I suggest rolling it into a rectangle of 16x12 inches. Alternatively, roll the dough on a lightly floured surface
- Pop rolled-out Babka dough into the freezer to chill for 3-5 minutes before filling
- Spread the Nutella filling on the Babka dough evenly, and smooth it with an offset spatula
- Pop the Babka back into the freezer again for 3-5 minutes before rolling it up. You have to chill the dough so you will be able to roll it up neatly
- Roll the Babka up tightly and neatly from the longer end. Press to seal the end onto the roulade
- Pop the Babka back into the freezer for another 5 minutes to properly chill
- Now using a sharp knife cut the Babka into half lengthwise. Try to cut it exactly in the middle of the roulade
How to shape
For more information go straight to the Nutella babka recipe.
- Check whether Babka filling is firm enough to proceed with shaping. If too runny, pop Babka again back into the freezer for a few minutes to chill
- Place the Babka logs over each other with the filling facing up and twist the dough with your hands on both sides
- Gently squeeze together the ends and carefully lift Babka into a prepared loaf pan
- Now onto second proofing
So as you can see the most important part of shaping the Nutella Babka is always working with a dough that is cold enough so that the process is more comfortable, less of a mess. Of course, make sure you do not chill the dough to a point where it would be impossible to work with it because it is frozen.
How to bake Nutella Babka
First of all, how not bake Babka? Do not bake it without a second proofing!
With the second rise, we are looking for the dough to double and it might take 1-2 hours depending on the temp of your kitchen. Make sure you cover your Babka so it does not dry out and place it into a warm spot in your house yet not too hot as you also do not want the filling to melt.
During the end of the second rise preheat your oven to 374F then once Babka dough is nicely risen place it into the oven, lower the temp to 356F, and bake for about 40 minutes.
Babka is ready when the toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
More Sweet Bread recipes
Whether you serve it as breakfast casserole or as a dessert with ice cream, there's nothing quite like a sweet, soft, and fluffy cinnamon roll with apple pie filling to satisfy your sweet tooth. No need to run to the store and buy canned cinnamon rolls, with this easy-to-make recipe using sweet brioche dough, delicious apples, and cream cheese icing, you'll be able to whip up your own mouthwatering apple pie cinnamon rolls at home in no time.
Go to the recipe: Cinnamon Rolls
Walnut Babka
This walnut babka features the most delicious buttery yeasted brioche dough that is twisted around wonderful cinnamon sugar walnut filling. Moist, fluffy, crazy delicious nutty Babka is a good idea any time of the year, particularly around the holidays.
Go to the recipe: Walnut Babka
Cinnamon Apple Babka
This cinnamon apple babka features sweet apples and cinnamon filling twisted inside the rich and buttery yeasted dough. Extra moist, crazy delicious, the Best Cinnamon babka recipe really with apple filling. It is my favorite comfort food during Fall and winter but can be a wonderful dessert or breakfast all year round.
Go to the recipe: Cinnamon Apple Babka
Rum Baba
Rum baba (baba au rum), this classic yeast bundt cake soaked in delicious rum syrup, decorated with a light vanilla bean whipped mascarpone frosting is the ultimate brioche-like boozy dessert! My rum baba recipe is super fluffy and moist and the rum-based soaking syrup makes it even creamier without making it soggy.
Go to the recipe: Rum Baba
Bavarian Cream Donuts
There are many delicious types of cream-filled donuts out there, but these delightful Bavarian cream donuts are hands down a treat that everyone will love! Made with buttery brioche donuts and then filled with a creamy, rich French vanilla cream, they are super light, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast or dessert!
Go to the recipe: Bavarian Cream Donuts
Chocolate Brioche
For chocolate lovers who also enjoy the tender, fluffy texture of brioche bread, this chocolate brioche gives you the best of both worlds! This easy chocolate brioche recipe takes classic brioche bread and fills it with swirls of creamy chocolate and cocoa powder before topping it with melted butter. Enjoy it for breakfast with a cup of coffee or for an after-dinner treat!
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Brioche
Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread
If you love brioche bread, you will want to try this fluffy chocolate chip brioche bread recipe! This buttery chocolate chip brioche takes the classic French brioche bread to the next level by adding crunchy, decadent, chocolate chips to the mix. Whether you serve it for breakfast, brunch, or a post-dinner dessert, it will be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread
More from Spatula Desserts
Here are the best potluck desserts that will make you the most popular guest at a party! When friends and family come together to share a meal, it's always nice to contribute. I've gathered together all the best potluck dessert recipes to please a crowd for every occasion.
Go to the recipes: Potluck Desserts
Best Unique Desserts
Unique desserts that capture attention and create a stir! This list of unique dessert ideas that break away from the norm will cause a sensation at any event.
Go to the recipes: Best Unique Desserts
Best Fruit Desserts
Love fruit? Here are the best fruit desserts to enjoy at any time of the year. From easy fruit dessert recipes to showstopper cakes and desserts, I'll show you step-by-step how to make them.
Go to the recipe: Fruit Desserts
This article was originally published as Nutella Babka at Spatula Desserts.
Leave a Reply