Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Delicious Nutella Morning Buns with a soft yeast dough filled with Nutella, twisted into beautiful buns and topped with melted butter and powdered sugar. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch treat.

  • Total Time: 2 hours (including rises and cooling)
  • Yield: 12 buns 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 3/4 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (for dough)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2/3 cup Nutella (filling)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for finishing)
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar (for finishing)

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and fine sea salt in a medium-large bowl; set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 cup whole milk together until warm (95 to 110°F).
  3. Crack one large, room temperature egg into a bowl and whisk while slowly drizzling in the warm butter-milk mixture until fully combined.
  4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold until a shaggy dough forms.
  5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 to 6 minutes until smooth and soft.
  6. Shape dough into a ball, transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, coat all sides, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for about 40 minutes until doubled in size.
  7. While dough rises, line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and roll it out into an 18×12-inch rectangle.
  9. Spread the 2/3 cup Nutella evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around edges.
  10. Fold one short end over to meet the center creating a 12×12-inch square, then fold the opposite short end over to form a 12×6-inch rectangle; press edges gently with rolling pin to seal.
  11. Flip dough seam side down and roll again to roughly 14×8-inch rectangle.
  12. Trim ½ inch off each short end to get clean edges.
  13. Slice dough into 12 long strips.
  14. Take each strip and twist the ends forming a loose rope, cross ends over to form a loop with a hole in the middle, then tuck ends into the hole to secure shape.
  15. Place each bun on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 6 inches apart (6 per pan).
  16. Cover loosely with wax or parchment paper and let rise again for 25 to 30 minutes in warm, draft-free space; finger indentation should remain when pressed.
  17. Preheat oven to 375°F and position two racks in the center.
  18. Bake buns on middle racks for 10 minutes.
  19. Swap pans top to bottom and front to back, bake another 7 to 8 minutes until golden brown.
  20. Remove from oven and immediately brush buns with 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter.
  21. Let cool about 10 minutes, then sprinkle with 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar.
  22. Serve warm.

Notes

Use instant yeast for convenience. Active dry yeast can be used if first activated in warm milk with sugar., If dough feels sticky due to humidity, sprinkle flour sparingly while kneading to avoid dense buns., Buns can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days; best enjoyed fresh., Reheat leftovers by microwaving for about 10 seconds or warming gently in oven., Do not refrigerate buns as this dries out the dough., The dough can be prepared the night before and refrigerated to rise slowly, then shaped and baked morning of., Variations include swapping Nutella filling with almond butter and honey or cinnamon sugar, adding nuts like chopped hazelnuts or pecans, or making vegan by replacing milk, butter, and egg with plant-based alternatives.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 50 minutes (including initial rise)
  • Cook Time: 17-18 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast / Brunch
  • Cuisine: American-inspired bakery

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bun
  • Calories: Approximately 220-260 calories per bun (varies by size and filling)
  • Fat: Approximately 12g per bun
  • Carbohydrates: Approximately 30g per bun
  • Protein: Approximately 4g per bun