21 October 2009

A Recipe for Nutella Swirl Poundcake

Nutella Swirl Poundcake

When browsing through those monthly food magazines in our collections I am sure we all come across countless recipes that we bookmark to create in our own kitchens someday. Like everyone else I have stacks of cookbooks and magazines with recipes patiently waiting in line to show up in the More Than Burnt Toast kitchen.

Now every once in a while you come across a recipe that simply will not wait and wants to stand up and be counted. These recipes bump all of the other recipes out of the running!!!! This recipe from Food and Wine magazine did just that!!!!! It made me stand at attention and do cartwheels from one end of the hallway to another. Now if you can imagine me being that flexible and gymnastic...well bless your heart:D

Speaking for Nutella lovers everywhere I can tell you it's a blend of hazelnuts and chocolate that's been ground to a blissfully smooth, creamy and heavenly spread...is that a choir of angels I hear? When spread onto a slice of bread, or smeared over crepes or waffles, it's a simple snack that is even vaguely good for you. Maybe it's the idea of spreadable chocolate, or maybe it's the deeply satisfying combination of chocolate and hazelnuts, but there's something about Nutella that inspires devotion from the masses.

Nutella's origins date to 1946, when Pietro Ferrero, who owned a bakery in Alba, Italy, began grinding the hazelnuts that were plentiful in the Piedmont region to extend his cocoa supply after World War 11. Chocolate and hazelnuts have been mixed together to form gianduja (the term given to chocolate-hazelnut paste) in the region since the 1800s. But Ferrero took things one step further, blending the heady mixture into a spreadable confection that was even more economical and easy to use. In 1964, the spread was officially renamed Nutella and world domination soon followed.

Two years ago, bloggers Sara Rosso of Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle Fabio of Bleeding Espresso even designated February 5th as World Nutella Day, which has a growing following. Whoever underestimated the power of the Internet and the blogging community?

I am heading off to Seattle this weekend on a bus with 45 other women. Most will be in "shop till you drop" mode but I am headed to Pike Market for some Greek yogurt, cheese and Italian wine.
I decided to make this eyeopening cake today since the kidlets L'il Burnt Toast and the boy are coming to dinner. Stay tuned for the rest of the menu when we return.

**Nutella Swirl Poundcake**

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
4 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks ( 1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
One 13-ounce jar Nutella

Preheat the oven to 325°. Lightly grease and flour a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, tapping out any excess flour. In a glass measuring cup, lightly beat the eggs with the vanilla. In a medium bowl, whisk the 1 1/2 cups of flour with the baking powder and salt.

In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the butter with the sugar at medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. With the mixer at medium-low speed, gradually beat in the egg mixture until fully incorporated. Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, beating at low speed between additions until just incorporated. Continue to beat for 30 seconds longer.

Spread one-third of the batter in the prepared pan, then spread half of the Nutella on top. Repeat with another third of the batter and the remaining Nutella. Top with the remaining batter. Lightly swirl the Nutella into the batter with a butter knife. Do not overmix.

Bake the cake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Invert the cake onto a wire rack, turn it right side up and let cool completely, about 2 hours. Cut the cake into slices and serve.

Note: The pound cake can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
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51 comments:

  1. What a fabulous idea! I think I need a scoop of Nutella right now!

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  2. Wow, it looks amazing! But seriously...I have to put my whole jar in there...I don't know if I could part with it all at once! Guess I'll just have to buy 2 jars next time :D

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  3. I saw that recipe a while back and have been waiting to make it. Looking at yours makes me wish I had some right now.

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  4. Irresistible! I am a big fan of Nutella!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. Vall this cake look amazing and delicious! xxgloria

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  6. How delicious this is with a whole jar of Nutella swirled in it! A lovely treat! Have a wonderful trip to Pike market!

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  7. My husband is a recent convert to Nutella, and he is going to love this recipe!

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  8. I've only had nutella a few times -- not something I grew up with. This swirl poundcake looks delicious. I've never made a swirl cake before and would like to try it.

    Enjoy Seattle - I'd love to travel there and eat my way through the city.

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  9. It just happen to be that I have a jar of Nutella waiting in my pantry.....my kids will not know what hit them if this cake waits for them after school.

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  10. OH MY goodness!! *swoon* I think I'm still recovering from my sighs of delight when I first glimpsed your gorgeous photo... Pound cake with Nutella sounds like the best invention ever!!!

    I know exactly what you mean about recipes that shoo all the others out of the tidy recipe que... I do believe this recipe is going to do the very same thing for me! :-) Thank you for the AMAZING recipe!!

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  11. I wouldn't let this recipe wait either Val! So wicked!

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  12. Shop till you drop!!!! Ha, ha, ha... Love, love the expression!!! I'm gonna adopt it :D. We don't have such thing here, but I'm crazy about shoping too♥.

    The Swirl Cake looks sooooooo delicious Val! It would last nothing in my kitchen :D

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  13. YUM YUM YUM! But I bet you knew I'd say that ;)

    Have a *fabulous* weekend!

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  14. I love the swirl going through that cake - a great picture too!

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  15. Now THAT is a very naughty cake! (I have to make it... ;) )

    Have a good trip!

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  16. Looks SO good. I wish I had a jar of nutella around but I only have half of one...looks like it's time to purchase another. :)

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  17. Wow, this recipe takes poundcake to a whole new level. I think I have just enough Nutella in my cupboard to make this right now.

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  18. Okay, when there is a jar of Nutella in my cupboards I simply shove a spoon into daily and lick away ... and the Nutella doesn't even last a week.

    I love Nutella and this is such a great way to incorporate it into a dessert. You really get to enjoy it instead of losing it amidst other ingredients.

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  19. it's an undeniable truth that i will enjoy anything containing plenty of nutella. a pound cake is full of win on its own, but this is ridiculously luscious!

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  20. I have that issue of F&W and I did the same thing when I saw the recipe. How can you not love it? The recipe is simple and IT USES NUTELLA! I found the cake part to be nice and moist and sweet too. It's a perfect easy dessert. I brought it to a friend's barbecue and no one could stop eating it.

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  21. Wow, that is one delectable cake! For me nutella itself is a dessert hehe...I love to spread it on cake and eat, but this is a brilliant idea! Love it.

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  22. I just licked my computer screen. That can't be good for me or the screen.

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  23. I love the nutella swirl in this poundcake, how delicious!

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  24. Oh my goodness! What a delicious way to showcase Nutella!

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  25. Have a wonderful time in Seattle! I'm terribly jealous. :(

    I'm in love with this pound cake. I'm in love with Nutella!

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  26. This is just awesome Valli! :)

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  27. Oh Val, though I am not a chocolate lover, this is so very tempting!

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  28. I'm making this tonight Val. Can't wait to taste it. Thanks.

    Have a great trip to Seattle!

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  29. Oh, you're killing me Val. This looks unbelievable. I have to make this. It will go on the "list".

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  30. Ah, Nutella. Yum. Anything with Nutella works for me.

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  31. Nutella Swirl Poundcake looks delicious. Irresistible!. Thanks for sharing its recipe. I will try it at home as I love it.

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  32. Can you believe that I only had Nutella for the first time about a month ago?? I love the stuff- kiddo is a fan too. This looks amazing!

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  33. Nutella was the forbidden fruit of my childhood. My mother would NEVER buy it for me, as I could eat the whole jar in one go, so whenever I went to my friends' houses to play we would always have nutella on bread, preferably refrigerated. I have never seen Nutella used in a cake before, but it looks fantastic! I might have a go on your recipe next time I get sweet cravings!

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  34. I think I am going to have to buy some nutella. I have never had it before but it sounds like a wonderful combination. And it has to be great in pound cake. Have a great trip and watch out for the flying fish.

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  35. Nutella is my idea of heaven! This came would be so darn good I can taste it even from here!!!

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  36. What a wonderful droolworthy cake. Wow - I definitely think this must go on the 'to do' list!

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  37. I have tried to ban Nutella at home then it was a riot and war was broken at the end I lost !
    so this cake would be welcome at my place !!
    and if you like creme brulée but differently come and visit me !! cheers Pierre

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  38. That would be a hit with my husband.

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  39. My nutella jar has been a bit neglected lately. This would be a great way to enjoy some!

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  40. Looks so moist. I had a jar of Nutella in my hand this AM at the supermarket but put it back when I looked at the nutrition panel.
    Val, Really looking forward to seeing you at the Festival.

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  41. Oh nutella! It's so addictive. The cake looks like a great excuse to buy some!

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  42. Be still my heart!
    This is a recipe I will have to save.

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  43. Oh Val, that pound cake looks incredible! I really need to get some more Nutella!

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  44. Your pound cake looks awesome!

    I am also so jealous of you going to Seattle. I want to go to Pikes place SOOO BADLY!

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  45. Don't tell anybody, but I've never tasted Nutella. Horrors! This pound cake sounds wonderful and just might force me to give it a try. Have loads of fun on your trip!

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  46. Any recipe with Nutella is good by me. I like that you didn't go overboard...just enough chocolate.

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  47. I used to eat Nutella in France while in high school. Never dreamt that it would make it so big in the US and the blogosphere. Frankly it is too sweet for my taste now, but I know my kids would inhale this cake!

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  48. Nutella on its own is such a delight, but combining into a pound cake... my poor wife is going to have a tummy ache, and so am I.

    Never thought of actually cooking with Nutella, but may have too. We always seem to have some lying around for the kids but rarely let them have it... I know, mean parents!...

    Can't wait to try this out,

    Bill M.

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  49. This is going to be keeper... my son "grew up " on Nutella so is going to be really happy when this comes out of the oven!

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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