If you’ve never experienced the sheer joy of pulling apart a freshly baked Braided Nutella Bun, you’re in for a treat that’s pure magic. These golden, swirled beauties are everything you could want in a homemade pastry—pillowy-soft dough, a luscious Nutella filling, and a stunning braided look that’s surprisingly easy to master. Whether you serve them for brunch, dessert, or a cozy coffee break, Braided Nutella Buns have a way of making any moment feel extra special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for Braided Nutella Buns is refreshingly simple, but each element plays a starring role in building that irresistible flavor, dreamy texture, and show-stopping appearance. Don’t skip or swap—every item here is essential for the perfect bun!
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of soft, tender dough—make sure to measure it accurately for the best texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness and helps activate the yeast.
- Active dry yeast: The magic behind those fluffy, risen buns; be sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances every flavor note.
- Warm milk: Brings richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Warm water: Helps dissolve the yeast and ensures the dough is perfectly hydrated.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Adds a melt-in-your-mouth quality and lovely flavor to every bite.
- Large egg: Gives structure and a gorgeous golden color to the buns.
- Nutella: The star of the show—creamy, chocolate-hazelnut spread that swirls beautifully into each braid.
- Egg (for egg wash): Brushed on top for a glossy, bakery-style finish.
- Powdered sugar (optional): A snowy dusting that adds extra charm and a touch of sweetness at the end.
How to Make Braided Nutella Buns
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Begin by combining the warm milk, warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes—watch for it to become foamy and bubbly. This simple step wakes up the yeast and ensures your Braided Nutella Buns will be light and fluffy.
Step 2: Make the Dough
Add the egg, softened butter, salt, and all-purpose flour to your yeast mixture. Stir everything together until a shaggy dough forms, then transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes, working the dough until it’s smooth, elastic, and just a little tacky. This hands-on time builds the structure for beautiful buns.
Step 3: First Rise
Place your kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour. The dough should double in size and feel airy when poked—this rise gives your Braided Nutella Buns their irresistible lightness.
Step 4: Shape and Fill
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rectangle. Now comes the best part: spread a generous layer of Nutella over each rectangle, making sure you get it into every corner. Roll each rectangle up tightly into a log, then slice each log lengthwise, leaving one end attached. Twist the two halves together, exposing those beautiful chocolate swirls, and coil into a bun shape, tucking the ends underneath.
Step 5: Second Rise
Arrange the shaped buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover them loosely and let them rise for another 30 minutes. This quick second rise helps the Braided Nutella Buns become extra puffy and soft in the oven.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush each bun with a beaten egg for a shiny, golden finish. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops are deeply golden and the kitchen smells like a dream. Let the buns cool just slightly—if you can wait!—and dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
How to Serve Braided Nutella Buns
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar is classic and makes each bun look gorgeously bakery-ready. For an extra touch, you could drizzle a little melted chocolate or scatter some finely chopped toasted hazelnuts on top. Simple, elegant, and always inviting.
Side Dishes
Braided Nutella Buns are rich and satisfying on their own, but they’re lovely alongside fresh fruit salad, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re serving them for brunch, a strong cup of coffee or hot chocolate is the perfect pairing.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the buns in a pretty basket lined with a linen napkin, or stack them on a tiered cake stand for a stunning centerpiece. For special occasions, wrap each bun individually in parchment and twine for the sweetest homemade gift. However you serve them, Braided Nutella Buns are guaranteed to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extras (lucky you!), keep your Braided Nutella Buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, especially if you reheat them slightly before serving.
Freezing
Braided Nutella Buns freeze beautifully. Once completely cooled, pop them into a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready for a treat, thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the oven for that just-baked magic.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm your buns in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also microwave individual buns for 15 to 20 seconds, just until soft and gooey—perfect for a quick indulgence.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. In the morning, continue with shaping, filling, and baking your Braided Nutella Buns for fresh, warm pastries with zero morning stress.
Is there a way to make these buns less sweet?
If you prefer a less sweet treat, simply use a slightly thinner layer of Nutella or skip the powdered sugar on top. The dough itself is only mildly sweet, so you have wiggle room to adjust the filling to your taste.
What if I don’t have Nutella?
While Nutella is classic, you can use any chocolate-hazelnut spread or even swap in a different filling, like peanut butter, almond butter, or fruit preserves. Each variation brings its own twist, but the braiding technique will work with most spreads.
How do I keep the buns from unrolling while baking?
Be sure to tuck the ends of each braid securely underneath the bun before the final rise. The egg wash also helps them hold their shape and gives that beautiful shiny finish.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! This recipe scales up beautifully. Double all ingredients and simply divide the dough into more portions—perfect for feeding a crowd or stashing extras in the freezer for emergency sweet cravings.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the cozy delight of sharing Braided Nutella Buns with family and friends. With their gorgeous swirls and irresistible flavor, they never fail to spark joy. I hope you give them a try—your kitchen (and your taste buds) will thank you!
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Braided Nutella Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 buns 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these homemade Braided Nutella Buns, soft and fluffy sweet breads beautifully braided with a rich, creamy Nutella filling. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a special treat, these buns offer a delicious combination of tender dough and chocolate hazelnut spread, topped with a shiny egg wash and optionally dusted with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
Filling
- 3/4 cup Nutella
Finishing
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Make Dough: Add the large egg, softened unsalted butter, salt, and all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms, then transfer it to a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Divide it into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Fill and Roll: Spread a generous layer of Nutella evenly over each rectangle. Roll each rectangle tightly into a log, sealing the edges to prevent filling leakage.
- Braid the Buns: Slice each log lengthwise down the middle, leaving one end attached. Twist the two halves together to create a braid, ensuring the Nutella layers show. Coil the braid into a round bun shape and tuck the ends underneath to secure.
- Second Rise: Arrange the braided buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them and let rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Beat the extra egg and brush it gently over the tops of the buns for a glossy finish.
- Bake: Bake the buns for 18–22 minutes or until they turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the buns to cool slightly on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving to add a touch of sweetness and a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- Warming the Nutella slightly before spreading makes it easier to apply evenly.
- These buns freeze well; simply reheat in the oven or microwave before serving to enjoy freshly baked taste.
- Make sure not to overfill the buns to prevent Nutella from leaking during baking.
- Use room temperature ingredients for better dough consistency and rise.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
