Zebra cake with Nutella

Zebra Cake with Nutella: An Irresistible Treat for Sweet Lovers

When it comes to desserts, few are as beloved as a freshly baked cake. The zebra cake with Nutella is an excellent choice when you want to surprise family and friends with a dessert that not only looks fabulous but also tastes extraordinary. This recipe is simple, full of flavors, and will surely become one of your favorites in no time.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 12 slices

Magical Ingredients:

Dough:
- 500 ml warm milk
- 200 g melted butter
- 100 g sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- Zest of one orange (for added flavor)
- 50 g cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon rum essence
- 1 kg flour
- 2 packets of dry yeast

Filling:
- Nutella or Finety (to taste)

For brushing:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon sour cream

About Zebra Cake:
The zebra cake is a traditional dish, cherished in many cultures, often associated with holidays and special moments. This version, with a play of white and brown colors, not only impresses visually but also brings a pleasant contrast of textures and flavors. Nutella enriches each slice with a creamy sweetness, turning every bite into an unforgettable experience.

Step by Step:

1. Preparing the Dough:
- Start by warming the milk until it becomes warm (around 37-40°C). This will activate the yeast.
- In a large bowl, combine the warm milk with the dry yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add the melted butter, sugar, salt, egg yolks, vanilla sugar, and orange zest. Mix well until homogeneous.

2. Flour and Cocoa:
- In another bowl, sift the flour and divide it into two equal portions. In the first portion, add the cocoa powder and mix well.
- Start incorporating the two types of flour into the milk mixture alternately to obtain two doughs: one white (without cocoa) and one brown (with cocoa).

3. Kneading the Dough:
- You can knead the dough by hand or use a bread machine. If you choose to knead by hand, make sure the dough becomes elastic and smooth. Let it rise in a warm place, covered, for about 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.

4. Shaping the Cake:
- Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and divide each dough (white and brown) into 4 equal parts, resulting in 8 balls.
- Use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a rectangle. Spread Nutella evenly on each rectangle, alternating between the white and brown dough.

5. Forming the Rolls:
- Layer two rectangles, one white and one brown, then carefully roll them up to form rolls. You can choose to twist the resulting rolls to achieve the zebra effect.
- Place the rolls in a baking tray lined with parchment paper and let them rise again for 30 minutes.

6. Baking:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a small bowl, beat the egg together with the sour cream and a pinch of salt. Brush the cake with this mixture to achieve a golden and appetizing crust.
- Bake the cake for 50 minutes, or until golden and passes the toothpick test.

7. Cooling and Serving:
- After the cake is baked, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- You can slice it and serve it plain or alongside a glass of cold milk. It is delicious and will delight everyone's taste buds!

Practical Tips:
- Use quality ingredients, especially Nutella, for a perfect taste.
- You can experiment with alternative fillings, such as fruit jam or melted chocolate, to give a personal touch to the recipe.
- The cake can be stored in an airtight container for a few days, but it is best served fresh.
- If you have leftover dough, you can use it to make rolls or homemade bread.

Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use whole wheat flour? Yes, but it will change the texture and flavor of the cake.
- Is the cake vegan? You can adapt the recipe using vegan substitutes for butter and eggs, but the taste will be different.
- How can I avoid drying out the cake? Make sure it is well covered after cooling and stored at room temperature.

Pair this zebra cake with Nutella with a cup of hot coffee or a fragrant tea. It is perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even as a dessert at a festive meal. The rich taste and fluffy texture are more than enough to delight anyone who tastes it.

The zebra cake with Nutella is truly a simple yet impressive recipe that brings a touch of magic to every meal. Enjoy and have fun in the kitchen!

 Ingredients: Dough 500ml warm milk 200g melted butter 100g sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 egg yolks 2 packets vanilla sugar Grated orange peel 50g cocoa 1 teaspoon rum essence 1kg flour 2 packets dry yeast Filling Nutella/finety For the top 1 egg 1 tablespoon heavy cream

 Tags:  sweet bread nutella