Chocolate Hazelnut Nutella Loaf

By Melissa Pitts

I remember the first time I tried Nutella years ago — and it was love at first bite. The chocolate hazelnut spread made me feel really alive for the first time and I’ve never looked back. Whether its just on some toast, in cupcakes or crepes, either way you spread it — it’s just irresistible.

This recipes takes a basic loaf recipe, add some Nutella and sit back as you witness magic. Toast up a slice and it’s perfect with a cup of coffee any time of the day. You’re welcome.

Makes 8-10 slices

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cup sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 stick plus 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ¾ of a 13 oz jar of Nutella

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. In a freestanding mixture with a paddle attachment add the sugar and eggs and beat until well mixed.
3. In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. And, in another bowl combine the milk and vanilla extract.
4. Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and beat well, then beat in ⅓ milk mixture. Repeat this process twice more until everything has been added. Turn the mixer on high speed until the mixture until light and fluffy- about 3 minutes.
5. Turn the mixer on low and add the cooled butter (it’s important that it’s cooled- if not, you’ll get scrambled eggs!) and beat until well incorporated.
6. In a greased and floured 9×5 inch loaf pan (or if you have parchment paper- even better) spread one-third of the batter in the prepared pan, then spread half of the Nutella on top. Repeat with another third of the batter and the remaining Nutella. Top with the remaining batter. Lightly swirl the Nutella into the batter with a knife.**See note**
7. Bake the cake for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Invert the cake onto a wire rack, turn it right side up and let cool completely. Serve.

**Note: If the Nutella is too hard to spread, heat it slightly in a double boiler until it is more manageable.

Loaf recipe slightly adapted from Hummingbird Bakery