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I stumbled upon this recipe during a trip to Paris, where I watched a café owner transform simple brioche into something magical. The way they buttered and toasted the bread until it was perfectly golden, then layered it with chocolate spread and fresh berries, was mesmerizing. I knew I had to recreate it at home. This recipe captures that Parisian café essence – it's luxurious yet approachable, indulgent yet not overly complicated. The key is using quality brioche bread; its buttery richness is essential to the dish's success. When you toast it in butter, the edges become wonderfully crispy while the center stays soft and tender. The chocolate hazelnut spread adds a nutty richness that complements the sweet strawberries perfectly. The toasted hazelnuts provide textural contrast and amplify the hazelnut flavor, while the powdered sugar adds a final touch of elegance. Every bite is a perfect balance of crispy, creamy, crunchy, and fresh.
Why I love this recipe
I love this recipe because it proves that simple ingredients can create something truly spectacular. There's something incredibly satisfying about taking everyday items – bread, chocolate spread, strawberries – and transforming them into a dish that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end brunch restaurant. It's versatile enough to serve as a special breakfast, elegant brunch dish, or even a dessert. What really makes my heart sing is how it brings people together; whenever I make this, everyone gathers around the table with genuine excitement. The recipe is also incredibly forgiving – if your strawberries aren't perfectly ripe, the chocolate compensates; if your bread is a day old, toasting in butter revives it beautifully. It's one of those recipes that makes you feel like a accomplished chef even though it's remarkably simple. Plus, watching the chocolate spread melt slightly on the warm toast is oddly therapeutic!
What You Need From Your Kitchen
- Brioche bread: Choose thick slices, about 1-inch thick, for the perfect ratio of crispy exterior to soft interior
- Chocolate hazelnut spread: Use quality spread like Nutella or a gourmet alternative; store-brand versions work but may be less creamy
- Fresh strawberries: Select ripe, red berries; wash, hull, and slice them just before using to prevent them from becoming watery
- Hazelnuts: Toast whole hazelnuts in a dry pan until fragrant, then chop roughly for textural contrast
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for toasting the bread; it creates a golden, crispy crust without adding extra saltiness
- Powdered sugar: Sift before dusting to avoid clumps and create an elegant, snow-like finish
Let's Make These Together
- Prep Your Strawberries and Nuts
- Start by washing and hulling your fresh strawberries, then slice them into thin, even pieces – about 1/4-inch thick works perfectly. This ensures they lay flat on the toast and distribute evenly. Next, toast your hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan occasionally until they're fragrant and lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes. Let them cool slightly, then give them a rough chop. Having everything prepped before you start cooking makes the assembly process smooth and enjoyable.
- Create Golden Perfection
- Heat your skillet over medium heat and add the butter, letting it melt completely until it starts to foam slightly. This foaming indicates the butter is at the perfect temperature. Carefully place your brioche slices in the buttered pan, making sure each slice has contact with the butter. Let them toast undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is gorgeously golden brown with crispy edges. Flip them carefully and repeat on the other side. The goal is a crispy exterior with a tender, warm interior that will help melt the chocolate spread.
- Layer on the Luxury
- The moment your brioche comes off the heat is crucial – while it's still piping hot, spread a generous layer of chocolate hazelnut spread on each slice. Use about 2 tablespoons per slice and spread it all the way to the edges. The residual heat will make the spread glossy and slightly melty, creating that irresistible texture. Don't be shy with the spread; this is where the magic happens.
- Build Beautiful Layers
- Now for the fun part – artfully arrange your sliced strawberries over the chocolate layer. You can create rows, a spiral pattern, or just scatter them naturally for a rustic look. The vibrant red against the dark chocolate is visually stunning. Follow with a generous sprinkle of those toasted, chopped hazelnuts, making sure they're distributed evenly so every bite gets that satisfying crunch.
- Finish with Finesse
- For that final touch of elegance, place your powdered sugar in a fine-mesh sieve and gently tap it over the assembled toasts, creating a delicate, snow-like dusting. This not only looks beautiful but adds a subtle sweetness that ties everything together. If you're feeling extra indulgent, drizzle some chocolate sauce in a decorative pattern. Serve immediately while everything is still warm and the textures are at their peak – the crispy toast, melty chocolate, juicy berries, and crunchy nuts create a symphony of sensations.
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Switch Things Up
I first made this on a lazy Sunday morning when I had leftover brioche from a dinner party and some gorgeous strawberries from the farmers market. I was craving something indulgent but didn't want to spend forever cooking. I toasted the brioche in butter until it was golden and crispy, then went wild with the toppings. The chocolate hazelnut spread melted into the warm bread, the strawberries added a fresh brightness, and the hazelnuts gave it that perfect crunch. My partner came into the kitchen asking what smelled so amazing, and when they took their first bite, their eyes literally lit up. Now it's become our special weekend tradition. Sometimes I add a drizzle of extra chocolate sauce or even a dollop of whipped cream when I'm feeling extra fancy.
Perfect Pairings
This decadent brioche toast pairs beautifully with a hot cappuccino or latte – the coffee's slight bitterness balances the sweetness perfectly. For a complete brunch spread, serve it alongside scrambled eggs with chives and crispy bacon for a sweet and savory combination. A fresh fruit salad with mint would add a refreshing contrast, or consider pairing it with Greek yogurt topped with honey for added protein. If you're serving this for dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside makes it absolutely heavenly. A glass of cold milk is also a classic pairing that never disappoints.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use regular bread instead of brioche?
While brioche is ideal because of its buttery richness and tender crumb, you can substitute with challah, Texas toast, or thick-cut French bread. The texture won't be quite as luxurious, but it will still be delicious. Avoid thin sandwich bread as it becomes too crispy and can't support the toppings well.
- → How do I prevent the toast from getting soggy?
The key is to toast the brioche thoroughly until it's crispy on the outside, and to spread the chocolate hazelnut spread on immediately while the toast is hot. The heat creates a slight barrier. Also, slice strawberries just before using and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Serve the toast right away rather than letting it sit.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best served immediately for optimal texture. However, you can prep components ahead: toast the hazelnuts and store in an airtight container, slice strawberries up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerate, and have your ingredients measured and ready. Then just toast the brioche and assemble when ready to serve.
- → What are some variations I can try?
This recipe is incredibly versatile! Try using raspberries, blueberries, or sliced bananas instead of strawberries. Swap the hazelnuts for almonds, pistachios, or pecans. Use almond butter with dark chocolate chips for a different flavor profile. Add a dollop of mascarpone or whipped cream for extra richness. You can also drizzle with honey or maple syrup instead of chocolate sauce.
- → Is there a healthier version of this recipe?
Absolutely! Use whole grain or multigrain bread instead of brioche, and reduce the chocolate hazelnut spread to 1 tablespoon per slice. Increase the strawberries for more fruit volume. Skip the powdered sugar or use a light dusting. You can also use a natural nut butter with a sprinkle of cacao nibs instead of chocolate hazelnut spread for less sugar and more protein.
- → Can I make this dairy-free or vegan?
Yes! Use vegan brioche or a thick vegan bread, dairy-free butter for toasting, and a dairy-free chocolate hazelnut spread. Many brands now make excellent vegan alternatives that taste just as good. Check that your chocolate sauce is also dairy-free if you're adding that drizzle. The recipe works beautifully with these substitutions.
- → How do I toast hazelnuts properly?
Place whole hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Shake the pan frequently and watch them carefully – they should become fragrant and lightly golden in 3-4 minutes. You can also toast them in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes. Let them cool slightly, then chop roughly. If you buy hazelnuts with skins, you can rub them in a clean kitchen towel after toasting to remove most of the skins, though it's not necessary.
Conclusion
This Chocolate Hazelnut and Strawberry Brioche Toast is the perfect way to elevate your breakfast or brunch game. The combination of buttery brioche, rich chocolate, fresh fruit, and crunchy nuts creates a symphony of flavors and textures that's absolutely irresistible. Whether you're treating yourself to a special weekend breakfast or impressing guests at brunch, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. The best part? It comes together in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for those mornings when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.