If actions speak louder than words, then making Nutella Banana Swirl Bread certainly would say, “Thank you”, or “I’m sorry,” or “Get better soon,” much better than any card. It is homey, like any good quick bread should be, but has a little something extra special with that swirl of Nutella running through it. It is a nice soft but sturdy loaf and not overtly sweet like my traditional banana bread.
When I brought a loaf, still warm and fairly aromatic to a neighboring office today, I was greeted with a huge smile and later was told how it disappeared in minutes. My co-workers also devoured our own plate of banana bread slices and gave it rave reviews.
This particular loaf is from Cooking Light…I suppose you have been noticing a trend in the last few posts. I am trying to lighten up my eating without feeling like a Puritan. I still need to enjoy both my baking and eating and believe totally in moderation of all sorts.
If you have anyone in mind who needs a little cheering up, or you have an apology that is long over due, I highly recommend making this very quick yet seemingly bling-y bread. Or if you are more in the mood for a double dose of chocolate in your banana bread, take a peek at my Chocolate Squared Banana Bread. With either one, I have no doubt it will win you some points and make the recipient feel quite special.
Nutella Swirl Banana Bread
Adapted from Cooking Light, Makes One Loaf
5 tablespoons Nutella
3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon, Canola Oil DIVIDED
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups flour or 6.75 ounces if you have a scale
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
Optional: 1/4 c. chopped hazelnuts or other more economical nut
Optional topping (I did not do this so I could shave off some calories but it sounds delicious!) : 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate finely chopped, melted
To make the bread: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. This is a sticky batter, so coat the pan well. In a small, microwaveable bowl, mix together the 1 t. of oil and the Nutella and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl and a hand beater, beat together the 3 T. of oil, softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the mashed bananas and combine. Add one egg at a time and beat on low speed in between.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour through baking powder. Add half of the flour mixture and 1/2 of the buttermilk to the butter mixture and combine on low or medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Repeat and mix until nicely combine but do not beat on high speed, this toughens the batter and will toughen your bread crumb. Stir the chopped nuts into the batter.
Pour 2/3 of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Then dollop the Nutella evenly over the batter. Top the Nutella layer with the last 1/3 of the batter. And swirl using a butter knife. Run your knife in a zig zag fashion 2/3 the way into the batter. Then repeat the zigzag running the opposite way down the batter. Don’t “over swirl” because the Nutella will get too incorporated into your batter rather than leaving a nice swirl. I did that to my first loaf (pictured above) but didn’t over swirl my second loaf and it came out a lot prettier. I didn’t have time for more pics unfortunately.
Bake for 50-55 minutes or until golden and firm to the touch. It is difficult to use a toothpick test in this case because the Nutella remains gooey. Once the bread is cooled melt your bittersweet chocolate and drizzle over your bread. Enjoy!
January 24, 2013 at 10:39 am
I am loving this recipe, I wouldn’t have thought to put Nutella in, just plain melting chocolate but this looks delish! I hope you don’t mind me giving it ago!
January 24, 2013 at 10:52 am
I certainly hope you do and find it as yummy as I did.
January 24, 2013 at 11:08 am
How could anyone not fall in love with this banana bread. Yum.
January 24, 2013 at 11:52 am
I am SOLD! Nutella and banana bread…irresistible!
January 24, 2013 at 12:27 pm
That looks delicious!
January 24, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Delish!
January 24, 2013 at 1:34 pm
I can definitely imagine eating a nice big piece of this bread – just to hear what it has to say of course 😉
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
January 24, 2013 at 3:10 pm
MMMM! This is the second post I’ve seen today for banana bread and now I’m really craving some. I get CL and love it, and somehow missed this bread, but the nutella swirl sound absolutely perfect. Gotta try it, thanks, Geni!
January 24, 2013 at 4:49 pm
I have a nutella addiction and usually run around in the kitchen with a dollop on a spoon wondering what to slather it on. Thanks now I can put it in my banana bread and have a spoon of nutella on the side. Take care, BAM
January 24, 2013 at 6:28 pm
I love banana bread and I love nutella…this sounds like the perfect combo! Can’t wait to try it!
January 24, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Very nice take on a classic. Love this recipe
January 25, 2013 at 5:57 am
I completely identify with wanting to lighten up without feeling like you’re eating diet food. I still want luscious, decadent and filling food too! Recipe looks great. Nutella and bananas can’t lose!
Melody
The Melody of Cooking
January 25, 2013 at 9:51 am
What a great recipe! The cake talks to me: bake me bake me bake me… 🙂
January 25, 2013 at 9:59 am
This sounds really good, Geni. Made with bananas & Nutella, I can see it easily disappearing at the workplace. It sure wouldn’t last long in my home, that’s for sure. 🙂
January 25, 2013 at 4:00 pm
Going to try this recipe, my kids would love it!
January 25, 2013 at 8:53 pm
I certainly like the addition of Nutella to Banana Bread! It sounds just scrumptious!
January 26, 2013 at 6:11 am
This loaf needs to make an appearance in my life! I’m thinking it might also say “i love you” for v-Day!
January 26, 2013 at 7:04 pm
No explanation necessary! It looks delicious!
January 27, 2013 at 7:38 am
You put nutella in just about anything and I’m eating it!! 🙂
January 27, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Oh you know how we love our banana bread! The kids would love your version for sure Geni!
January 27, 2013 at 9:25 pm
This sounds so fabulous. Love that it’s a lightened up variety too. YUM!
January 28, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Yummmmmy delicious banana bread! Love the addition of nutella.
January 30, 2013 at 11:28 am
Wow, It looks so good, fabulous picture!
February 9, 2013 at 12:05 am
Yes, that’s a common problem! I tend to put a little more batter on the bottom of the pan. That helps. But I have to tell you – I’ve made this bread so many times and it seems every time the Nutella does something different in the pan. It’s very unpredictable but nevertheless still delectable!
February 18, 2013 at 11:58 am
That looks amazing! I need to get my hands on some Nutella.
March 8, 2013 at 8:53 pm
I made a banana bread two months back with all the ingredients you have used but added some black raisins and nuts in it….it turned out nice and yummy and fresh n looked just like your pictures…the satisfaction I got eating them 🙂 Next time I will try it with nutella. Thanks for sharing !
March 17, 2013 at 12:56 pm
This is SO good. I don’t know if I can ever go back to non-Nutella banana bread.
Pingback: Weekly Weaknesses: Nutella Heaven | No Big Diggity
April 11, 2013 at 3:31 pm
My family LOVED this recipe and my older son asked me to obtain it from you.Thanks to your husband next door, he referred me to your Blog 🙂 Sue
April 26, 2013 at 3:20 pm
wow this is a must try! thanks for sharing! 🙂