The Ultimate Baked Nutella Stuffed Banana Bread Donuts (3 Ways!)
Prepare to fall in love with these incredibly delicious Nutella Stuffed Baked Banana Bread Donuts, perfected with a choice of three irresistible toppings! Whether you prefer the classic tang of Cream Cheese Frosting, the pure indulgence of warm, melted Nutella, or the comforting crunch of Cinnamon Sugar, there’s a flavor to delight everyone. And as a special bonus, we’re also including a recipe for Nutella Stuffed Donut Holes – because sometimes, one isn’t enough!
Forget everything you thought you knew about donuts, because these baked beauties are here to redefine your dessert experience. Unlike their deep-fried cousins, these donuts are baked, making them a slightly healthier option without compromising on flavor or that quintessential donut “epicness.” Crafted with a thoughtful blend of wholemeal/whole wheat flour and a touch of white flour, they achieve a delightful texture that’s both light and satisfying. This unique recipe stands apart from other treats like my epic Nutella Churro Donut Holes, offering a distinct and equally captivating taste.
If you’re a devoted fan of banana bread, especially my beloved Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips, then prepare to be utterly smitten by this innovative twist. And if your adoration for Nutella rivals mine – I even love it in my Nutella Hot Chocolate – then you’re truly in for an extraordinary treat. The inspiration for these donuts struck as my bananas began their inevitable journey to mushiness. Instead of defaulting to yet another banana cake, an exciting idea sparked: why not transform them into something truly special? Out came the long-forgotten donut pans, dusted off and gleaming with the promise of a delicious experiment.
The culinary adventure culminated in these spectacular Nutella-stuffed banana bread donuts. Just imagine that glorious, warm Nutella oozing from the center with every bite – it’s a sight, and a taste, that truly captivates. The soft, moist banana bread exterior perfectly complements the rich, creamy hazelnut spread within, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that dance on your palate.
Choosing Your Perfect Topping: A Delicious Dilemma
One of the most exciting, yet challenging, parts of this recipe was deciding on the perfect topping. Would Cream Cheese Frosting truly complement Nutella and banana bread? The answer, unequivocally, is a resounding yes! To ensure everyone’s preferences were met, I decided to offer all three fantastic topping options: luscious Warm Nutella, creamy Cream Cheese Frosting, and the delightful crispness of Cinnamon Sugar. Each topping provides a unique experience, allowing you to customize your donut to match your mood or satisfy diverse cravings. This variety is what makes these baked banana bread donuts a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Donut Holes: A Bite-Sized Bonus
And because I believe that more deliciousness is always better, I couldn’t resist whipping up some bonus Nutella Stuffed Donut Holes. These bite-sized delights proved to be just as successful as their larger counterparts, much like my popular Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes recipe. They’re perfect for a quick snack, for sharing, or simply when you want a little taste of everything without committing to a full donut. These mini versions capture all the flavor and fun of the full-sized donuts in a convenient, poppable form.
The Topping Breakdown: Three Ways to Indulgence
1. Warm Nutella Frosting
First in our lineup is the pure, unadulterated pleasure of Warm Nutella as a frosting. There’s truly no need for embellishments here; Nutella, in its warm and slightly runny state, stands proudly on its own. It melts beautifully into the warm banana bread, creating a decadent, gooey experience that’s hard to beat. It’s an instant classic for anyone who appreciates the rich, hazelnut-chocolate flavor of Nutella in its simplest, most satisfying form. Your next special occasion, or even just a regular Tuesday, just got a whole lot more indulgent!
2. Cinnamon Sugar Banana Bread Donuts
Next up, we have the timeless appeal of Cinnamon Sugar Banana Bread Donuts, generously stuffed with Nutella. According to my toughest critics – my kids – these baked donuts impressively rival those found in a high-end bakery, which is arguably the highest compliment a home baker can receive! What’s truly amazing is how these baked donuts achieve the same beloved taste and texture as their deep-fried cinnamon sugar cousins. The exterior sets perfectly with a light, sugary crunch, while the inside remains wonderfully fluffy and moist, cradling that luscious Nutella center. This option offers a delightful balance of classic donut flavor with an unexpected creamy filling.
3. Cream Cheese Frosting
Finally, there’s the Cream Cheese Frosting – a topping that, I must admit, completely stole my heart. This simplified version of the frosting I use on my Carrot Cake is pure perfection. It masterfully blends the slight tang and creamy texture of cream cheese with the warm notes of banana bread, the rich sweetness of Nutella, and a hint of cinnamon. This combination creates an incredibly balanced and sophisticated flavor profile that was an instant family favorite. The cool, smooth frosting provides a wonderful contrast to the warm, soft donut, making each bite an exquisite experience.
After a comprehensive (and delicious) family taste test, we unanimously agreed that this assortment of Nutella Stuffed Baked Banana Bread Donuts, with its trio of incredible toppings, is the ultimate way to satisfy every single taste bud. And now, I am thrilled to share this ultimate crowd-pleaser with you.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Stuffed Donuts
Achieving the perfect Nutella-stuffed donut is easier than you think with a few key tips:
- Choose Ripe Bananas: The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread base will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough donut texture.
- Filling Technique: Use a teaspoon to spoon a small amount of batter into the donut pan, then add a teaspoon of melted Nutella, and carefully top with more batter. Ensure the Nutella is fully encased to prevent it from seeping out during baking.
- Baking Time: Keep a close eye on your donuts. Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven. They’re ready when they’re golden brown and spring back lightly when touched.
- Cooling: Allow them to cool slightly in the pan before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking.
Serving Suggestions & Storage
These Nutella Stuffed Baked Banana Bread Donuts are incredibly versatile. Serve them warm for a truly comforting treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. They make a fantastic addition to any dessert spread, and the variety of toppings ensures there’s something for everyone. Pair them with a cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of milk for the ultimate indulgence.
To store, keep these donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If topped with cream cheese frosting, they are best stored in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for longer storage (without frosting) and thawed before serving for a quick treat.
Need more Banana recipe inspiration? Try these:
Banana Cinnamon Maple Cake
Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Strawberry-Raspberry Oatmeal Cheesecake Smoothie
Banana Popsicles
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Nutella Stuffed Baked Banana Bread Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Donuts:
- 1/2 cup raw sugar (or your sugar of choice)
- 1/4 cup canola oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1/4 cup reduced fat butter , (or spread of your choice, Sub with apple sauce for an even healthier option)
- 1 large egg
- 2 small-medium sized ripe bananas , mashed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup wholemeal/whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1/2 cup plain white flour (or light spelt or all-purpose flour)
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2/3 cup Nutella , melted for 30 seconds in the microwave of over stove top until runnier than usual, divided
- 1/3 cup cinnamon sugar mix
OR
- 1/3 cup sugar mixed with 2-3 teaspoons ground cinnamon (adjust to your tastes)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/3 cup reduce fat/fat free cream cheese , room temperature
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (or sugar of choice)
- Splash of vanilla
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 176℃ | 350℉. Grease 2x 12 hole donut pans with a thin layer of spread of choice (butter/margarine or coconut oil). Wipe over excess with a paper towel.
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Whisk together the sugar, oil, butter (or spread) and egg until light and creamy. Add in in the banana, vanilla and cinnamon and whisk again until combined..
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Add the flour(s), salt, baking soda and powder, mixing together until just combined (do not over-mix the batter).
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Fill donut pans 1/2 way using a teaspoon (about 1 1/2 teaspoons of batter per donut hole). Using 1/3 cup pre-melted Nutella, pour 1 teaspoon Nutella per donut over the batter in the pans. Carefully cover each donut with remaining batter, using your fingertips if you need too, to make sure there is a secure ‘lid’ over the tops.
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Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown, and set to the touch (they should spring back when pressed down). Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before removing from pan.
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While donuts are baking, prepare toppings:
Toppings:
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Whisk cream cheese and sugar in a bowl until thick and creamy. Mix in the vanilla (as much as you like) to suit your tastes.
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Prepare a shallow bowl with the cinnamon sugar. While the donuts are still warm, transfer four (or more/less) donuts to the cinnamon sugar mix and turn to coat evenly.
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Frost another four (or more/less) with the cream cheese frosting. And spoon the remaining Nutella over the top of the remaining donuts. Enjoy!
Please Note:
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To make donut holes, fill a mini muffin pan half way with batter. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon Nutella onto the centre, and top with about 1 teaspoon of batter, or enough to cover. To bake, follow the instructions above.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
