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Nutella swirl loaf cake is currently at the top of my baking list, and in just over an hour, this very loaf cake can make an appearance in your kitchen! You’ll love this Nutella cake recipe because it’s soft and buttery, with the most beautiful golden crumb.
The secret to the perfect loaf cake? A combination of Greek yogurt and buttermilk transform a basic loaf cake into a plush and golden cake with plenty of rich vanilla flavor.
Featuring a Nutella swirl and silky swoops of Nutella fudge frosting, this easy loaf cake is perfect for any occasion. If you’re feeling extra, add a sprinkle of sea salt or festive sprinkles to the top of the cake. Or keep things simple, classic, and so delicious!
If you’d like a layer cake version, I’ve created this Nutella swirl layer cake recipe for you!
More Nutella recipes to try:
- Nutella Swirl Layer Cake
- Chocolate Chip Nutella Cookie Bars
- Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
- Chocolate Hazelnut Star Bread
Nutella Swirl Loaf Cake
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf, 12 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
A simple and delicious Nutella swirl loaf cake featuring swirls of Nutella fudge frosting! This easy recipe is perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk, at room temperature
Ribbon
- 1/3 cup Nutella
Nutella Frosting
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup Nutella
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 Tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan generously with nonstick spray; dust pan lightly with flour.
- For the cake, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a large mixer bowl at medium speed until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Combine yogurt and buttermilk in a small bowl. Reduce speed to low and add half of flour mixture, beating just to combine. Add yogurt mixture, then finish with remaining flour mixture.
- Spoon half the batter into prepared baking pan and smooth with an offset spatula; tap pan sharply. Dollop spoonfuls of Nutella over the batter, gently swirling with a toothpick or wooden skewer. Spoon remaining batter into pan and smooth with an offset spatula; tap pan sharply to remove air bubbles.
- Bake for 48 to 52 minutes, until edges are golden, cake springs back to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes; carefully remove cake from pan and cool completely on wire rack.
- For the frosting, combine butter, Nutella, and salt in a mixer bowl; beat on medium-high speed until smooth. Reduce speed to low and mix in powdered sugar and heavy cream until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 1 to 2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Use an offset spatula to spread frosting over cake. Chill for 30 minutes to set frosting before slicing and serving.
Notes
Layer cake version: Nutella Swirl Layer Cake
I so want to try this recipe, thanks for sharing! Can I use milk instead of buttermilk for the loaf itself though?
Hi Marion! Yes you can! 🙂
Is there anything I could substitute heavy cream with? I don’t really use it on regular basis and it feels a bit of a shame to only buy it for one tablespoon. Thanks 🙂
Hi Gin! You can use milk instead. I’d start with 1/2 tablespoon – that may be enough since milk is thinner than cream. Happy baking! 🙂
Do you have mods for turning this into a layer cake? My soon to be 8 year old just LOVES nutella and I’m sure he would be thrilled to have this as his birthday cake!
Hi Shosh! Here’s the link to my Nutella swirl layer cake: https://tutti-dolci.com/nutella-swirl-layer-cake/
My daughter is turning 17 this week and I was also thinking of a layer cake version of this recipe!!
Hi Cely! Here’s the link to my Nutella swirl layer cake: https://tutti-dolci.com/nutella-swirl-layer-cake/
What do you think about subbing TJ’s Cookie Butter for the Nutella? (Not that I have anything against Nutella! Just happen to have some CB!) Would the consistency be similar enough?
I love cookie butter, I think that would work perfectly! And the frosting would be delicious on banana bread too. 🙂
It’s gonna happen. 🙂 Thanks for the reply- and great suggestion about banana bread!
Well lucky me I was just gifted a CASE of Nutella. I’ve been dreaming up all kinds of things to do with it but this takes the literal cake! I’m making it tomorrow! Trust me, I’ll tag you. 🥰
Perfect, can’t wait to hear what you think! 🙂
Another delicious recipe! Made this today without the frosting. It really didn’t need it, but it’s good to have the frosting recipe for future reference. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Ana! Happy to hear that! 🙂