There’s nothing quite like waking up to the scent of freshly baked Nutella morning buns drifting from the kitchen. On chilly mornings, when pulling yourself out from under the covers feels nearly impossible, these golden, cinnamon-sugar swirled pastries make it easy. The first time I tried making them, the sweet, nutty smell took over my entire home—and somehow, it made everything feel a little warmer and softer. Imagine biting into a pillowy bun that’s got a swirl of creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread, all rolled up and finished off with a dusting of cinnamon sugar. That crisp edge gives way to a cloud-soft center, and there’s nothing fussy about the process.

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What Makes These Nutella Morning Buns So Tempting

Nutella morning buns are more than just a hybrid of pastry and bread—they pack all the magic of a special brunch into something you can hold in one hand. You get a buttery, yeast-raised dough, rich with flavor but still light enough to feel a bit like a treat. The real surprise comes from the generous swirl of Nutella, which melts into puddles by the time the buns come out of the oven. Right as they’re cooling (but still a little warm), you roll each bun in cinnamon sugar, which creates a shimmering crust and that unmistakable, bakery-style finish.

There’s a cozy luxury to these buns that always feels right on weekends, for holidays, or whenever you want to turn a regular morning into something worth celebrating. Every bite is a mix of soft crumb, a little crunch of cinnamon sugar, and the melted, gooey core of chocolate-hazelnut. They’re as delicious with coffee at dawn as they are sneaked straight from the tin, late at night.

The Ingredients That Give Nutella Morning Buns Their Charm

You don’t need fancy ingredients to make Nutella morning buns shine, but the ones you do use all play an important part:

Active dry yeast – wakes up the dough and gives the buns that lovely rise and tender structure.
Warm water – helps bloom the yeast and brings everything together, ensuring a pillowy crumb.
Sugar – sweetens the dough and, in the final roll, forms a crisp, sparkling finish with cinnamon.
All-purpose flour – builds a strong but tender base for the buns.
Salt – pulls all the flavors into balance and keeps the sweetness in check.
Egg – enriches the dough and gives every swirl a little extra fluffiness.
Unsalted butter – softens and enriches the dough for that velvety, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Nutella – the star of the show, spreading its chocolate-hazelnut magic in every layer.
Ground cinnamon – brings cozy warmth and a little spice to every sugar-dusted bite.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Bringing These Nutella Morning Buns to Life Step by Step

There’s nothing complicated about making Nutella morning buns at home, but the transformation from a handful of kitchen staples to gooey, cinnamon-sugar encrusted rolls feels a bit like magic. Here’s how it all comes together:

Start by mixing warm water, yeast, and just a bit of sugar in a large bowl. Let it hang out for a few minutes until it’s clouded with foam—if you peek, you’ll see it come alive, which always feels a little satisfying.
Next, add the remaining sugar, flour, salt, egg, and softened butter. Stir and then knead (either by hand or with a mixer) until the dough feels smooth and elastic—this takes a little time, but it’s worth the effort for that fluffy crumb.
Cover and let the dough rise somewhere warm. The dough should double in size, and you’ll notice it gets pillowy to the touch. This is when your kitchen starts smelling faintly sweet.
Flour your counter, then roll the dough out into a rectangle. The dough is soft, so it’s easy to handle, and it’ll end up roughly the size of a baking sheet.
Spread Nutella evenly over the dough, staying just inside the edges so the filling doesn’t leak. The swirl will look generous but not overflowing.
Roll up the dough tightly, starting at the long side. Trim the rough ends if you want them all perfectly sized. Slice the log into even rounds—you’ll see the swirls peeking through each cut.
Place each spiral in a greased muffin tin, cut-side up. Let it rise again until puffy. This second rise brings out all the softness.
Bake in a hot oven until the tops are golden brown. When the buns are done, the kitchen will smell like warm chocolate, toasted nuts, and sugar all at once.
While they’re baking, stir the sugar with cinnamon in a small bowl for rolling.
Right after baking, once the buns can be handled but are still warm, toss them gently in the cinnamon sugar. That outer layer clings—crispy at first, then melting away to reveal the tender inside.

How to Lock in That Pillowy-Soft Texture

Achieving that classic soft, pull-apart center in your Nutella morning buns comes down to a few small but crucial details. First, let your dough rise fully both before and after shaping—rushing this step will leave them dense rather than pillowy. The kneading also matters: a smooth, stretchy dough traps more air and ensures every bun comes out tender. Using room-temperature ingredients (especially the butter and egg) makes the dough easier to work and ensures an even rise.

Don’t overbake; as soon as the tops are deeply golden, they should be set underneath but still soft. The moment you roll the warm, just-baked buns in cinnamon sugar, that delicate crust forms—locking in all the moisture but adding the perfect sweet crunch. Even after they cool, that soft crumb sticks around for hours, so you don’t have to rush these straight from the oven.

Creative Twists and Serving Ideas for Your Nutella Morning Buns

There’s plenty of room to riff on this recipe if you like to get creative. Swap the Nutella for any chocolate-hazelnut spread you love, or stir an extra pinch of instant espresso powder into the dough if you want to play up those mocha notes. For an extra-indulgent finish, stir a little orange zest into the sugar before rolling for a brighter, citrusy top note. If you’re out of muffin tins, you can nestle the slices in a baking dish for pull-apart buns instead.

Serving-wise, Nutella morning buns are wonderful the day they’re baked but stay soft if wrapped well. Reheat them for a few seconds in the microwave or a low oven to revive all that gooey, chocolatey warmth. Try them alongside a cup of strong coffee or even tucked into a brunch spread with fresh fruit and yogurt on the side. They’re special enough for holidays but so simple you’ll want to sneak them into regular weekends too.

For storage, let them cool completely before sealing in an airtight container—they’ll keep for a couple of days at room temperature. Freeze extras, then reheat from frozen in a low oven. The sugar crust stays crisp, and the centers return to their soft, just-baked glory.

FAQs about Nutella Morning Buns

Can I make Nutella morning buns in advance?

Absolutely! Prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. The next morning, shape the buns and allow them some time to puff up before baking. You’ll get fresh Nutella morning buns with very little effort at breakfast.

What’s the best way to store leftover Nutella morning buns?

Once completely cool, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft for up to two days this way. For longer storage, pop them in the freezer and reheat as needed.

Can I substitute another spread for Nutella in these morning buns?

Yes, you can use any chocolate-hazelnut spread or even a thick layer of almond or peanut butter for a twist. Just avoid spreads that are too runny, as they might leak out during baking.

Do Nutella morning buns freeze well?

They freeze beautifully. Wrap each cooled bun tightly, freeze, and then reheat in a low oven to revive the texture and gooey center. The cinnamon sugar holds up well after thawing.

Can I make these buns without a muffin tin?

You can. Arrange the cut swirls close together in a baking dish and bake as usual. The buns will be more pull-apart style but just as delicious.

When those Nutella morning buns come out of the oven, all warm and glistening with cinnamon sugar, it’s impossible not to pause for a second—there’s something about that sweet, bready aroma and the soft, gooey centers that just stops time for a little while. Whether you’re serving them up for a leisurely weekend breakfast or sneaking one late in the day with a cup of coffee, these buns have a way of making even the simplest moment feel extra special.

More Delicious Recipes

Vanilla Bread Pudding: A comforting dessert that features a soft, rich texture, similar to the pillowy nature of the Nutella morning buns.
Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls: These delicious rolls offer a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, perfect for mornings when you crave something warm and sweet.
Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins: Combining muffin and croissant qualities, these treats are also rolled in cinnamon sugar, making them a delightful complement to Nutella morning buns.

Benchi