If you’re looking for a quick, show-stopping dessert that feels fancy but is super simple, then you’ve got to try this Strawberry Nutella Bruschetta Recipe. I absolutely love how the creamy Nutella and cream cheese combo pairs with juicy strawberries on crispy sourdough bread—it’s like a little party in your mouth! When I first tried this, I was surprised at how effortlessly it came together, and I can’t wait to share all my tips so yours comes out perfect every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You’ll have a delicious dessert ready in under 20 minutes—perfect when you’re short on time but want to impress.
- Crowd Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this one, especially the crunchy toasted walnuts mixed with sweet strawberries.
- Simple Ingredients: No crazy pantry items—just a few staples you might already have at home.
- Versatile and Fun: You can easily tweak this recipe to match your tastes or whatever’s fresh at the market.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Nutella Bruschetta Recipe is all about balance—the rich, nutty flavor of Nutella and cream cheese perfectly complements the fresh, juicy strawberries and crunch of toasted walnuts. A good quality sourdough bread makes all the difference here, giving you that perfect crisp base to hold everything together.
- Sourdough bread: Look for sturdy slices around ½ inch thick so they hold up well after toasting and topping.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter helps get the bread golden and adds rich flavor without overwhelming the toppings.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing and smooth spreading.
- Nutella hazelnut spread: The star ingredient! Use good-quality Nutella for that signature, creamy taste.
- Strawberries: Diced fresh strawberries give a juicy, tangy contrast; pick ripe but firm ones to avoid excess moisture.
- Walnuts: Toasted for a warm, toasty crunch that pairs beautifully with the fruit and chocolate.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Strawberry Nutella Bruschetta Recipe, and honestly, it’s a great blank canvas. You can customize it easily depending on what you’re craving or what you have on hand, which makes it a go-to dessert for me when hosting or just craving a sweet bite.
- Use different breads: I once tried brioche instead of sourdough for a softer, sweeter base and my family loved the buttery richness it added.
- Swap the nuts: Pecans or sliced almonds also toast beautifully and bring a different texture and flavor nuance.
- Berry twist: Try mixed berries like blueberries and raspberries instead of just strawberries for a colorful, tangier variation.
- Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter to make this bruschetta allergy-friendly without sacrificing the creaminess.
How to Make Strawberry Nutella Bruschetta Recipe
Step 1: Toast the bread until golden and crunchy
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for an easy cleanup. Brush one side of each sourdough slice with the melted butter—this helps get a beautiful golden color and adds a subtle richness. Arrange the slices on the sheet buttered side up and toast them in the oven for about 5 minutes, just until they’re crisp and golden. Watch closely towards the end so they don’t burn; you want that perfect crunch to balance the soft toppings.
Step 2: Make the luscious Nutella and cream cheese spread
While the bread cools, mix your cream cheese and Nutella together until smooth and creamy. I like using my stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment but a handheld mixer or vigorous whisking works just fine too. This mix is where everything comes together—it’s dreamy, silky, and just the right amount of chocolate-hazelnut sweetness. I discovered that letting the cream cheese soften beforehand makes this step a breeze.
Step 3: Assemble your bruschetta masterpieces
Spread a generous layer of the Nutella-cream cheese blend onto each toasted bread slice. Then, pile on the diced strawberries for that fresh burst of flavor. Top everything with a sprinkle of toasted walnuts—I like to toast mine in a dry skillet over low heat for about 3 minutes until fragrant, which makes a huge flavor difference. Serve immediately for the best texture and taste. You’ll find that the warm bread and crunchy nuts paired with sweet strawberries and creamy spread is insanely satisfying.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Nutella Bruschetta Recipe
- Butter Side Up: Always butter the side that will toast upwards so it crisps perfectly and doesn’t get soggy underneath.
- Room Temp Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese blends much more easily with Nutella, giving you that luxuriously smooth spread.
- Toast Nuts Fresh: Toast walnuts just before assembling so they maintain their crunch and fresh flavor.
- Serve Immediately: This bruschetta is best enjoyed right after assembling because the bread can get soggy if it sits too long with juicy fruit.
How to Serve Strawberry Nutella Bruschetta Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—just a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few fresh mint leaves for that pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I drizzle a tiny bit of honey on top to elevate the sweetness, but that’s totally optional. If I’m feeling fancy, a light dusting of cocoa powder adds an extra chocolatey note.
Side Dishes
This bruschetta is fantastic on its own, but I like to pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent dessert. For brunch, I’ll serve it alongside a fresh green salad or simply with a cup of coffee or tea—makes for a beautifully balanced treat any time of day.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to arrange the bruschetta on a wooden board with extra strawberries and whole toasted walnuts scattered around. It makes the whole thing look rustic and inviting. You could also cut the bread slices into bite-sized pieces for a fun party appetizer style—guests love how easy it is to grab and eat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers (rare in my house!), store the toppings separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Keep the toasted bread wrapped loosely in a paper towel inside a container to avoid sogginess. Assemble right before serving so everything stays fresh and crunchy.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this bruschetta because the strawberries and creamy spread don’t freeze well—the texture changes and it can get watery when thawed. It’s better enjoyed fresh, trust me on this one!
Reheating
If you want to reheat the toasted bread slices, just pop them in the oven for a few minutes at 350°F until warmed and crisp again. Then, add fresh Nutella cream cheese and strawberries immediately—it really brings back that just-made magic.
FAQs
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Can I use other fruits instead of strawberries in this recipe?
Absolutely! While I love strawberries for their sweetness and color, you can swap in blueberries, raspberries, or even sliced peaches for a different twist. Just make sure the fruit is fresh and not too juicy, so the bread stays crisp longer.
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What type of bread works best for Strawberry Nutella Bruschetta Recipe?
Sourdough is my top pick because its sturdy texture and slight tang contrast nicely with the sweet toppings. However, brioche or a good artisan white bread can work too, as long as it’s thick enough to hold the toppings without getting soggy.
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Can I prepare this dessert in advance?
You can prep some components ahead of time—toast the bread and make the Nutella cream cheese spread in advance—but I recommend assembling right before serving to keep the bread crisp and strawberries fresh.
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How do I toast walnuts at home?
To toast walnuts, simply heat a dry skillet over low heat and stir the nuts frequently for about 3 minutes or until they become fragrant and slightly browned. This step really enhances their flavor and crunch in the bruschetta.
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Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?
Yes! Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and a vegan butter substitute to toast the bread. Nutella itself contains milk, so look for a dairy-free chocolate hazelnut spread to keep this recipe fully dairy-free.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Nutella Bruschetta Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go-to desserts because it’s ridiculously simple but tastes outrageously delightful. I love sharing this with friends because it’s unexpected yet so easy to pull off, and it always brings smiles. If you want a sweet treat that feels special without complicated steps, give this a try—you’ll probably fall in love with it like I did!
Print
Strawberry Nutella Bruschetta Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delightful and easy-to-make Strawberry Dessert Bruschetta featuring toasted sourdough bread topped with a creamy Nutella and cream cheese spread, fresh diced strawberries, and toasted walnuts for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Bread and Butter
- 8 slices sourdough bread, each 1/2-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Spread
- 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup Nutella hazelnut spread
Toppings
- 2 cups diced strawberries
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for toasting the bread.
- Prepare Bread: Brush one side of each sourdough bread slice with the melted butter and arrange them on the baking sheet, buttered side up, ensuring even spacing for proper toasting.
- Toast Bread: Bake the bread slices in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes or until they become golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Cool Bread: Remove the toasted bread from the oven and let them cool completely to make spreading easier and prevent melting of the topping.
- Make Nutella Cream Spread: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the room temperature cream cheese and Nutella until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, mix with a handheld mixer in a bowl.
- Assemble Bruschetta: Spread the Nutella and cream cheese mixture evenly atop each cooled toast slice, then generously top with diced strawberries.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the toasted chopped walnuts over each bruschetta for added crunch and flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- To toast walnuts on the stovetop, place them in a small sauté pan over low heat. Stir frequently and cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- Allow the toasted bread slices to cool completely before spreading the Nutella cream to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture contrast.
- You can substitute walnuts with other toasted nuts like pecans or almonds if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
