Ultimate Nutella Cupcakes

There’s something magical about these Ultimate Nutella Cupcakes.

Nutella is pretty magical on its own, but when stuffed inside my best chocolate cupcake recipe and added into a buttercream frosting… well you just can’t beat that. I’d love to travel back in time to the first person to combine chocolate and hazelnuts and see the look on their face as they take that historic first bite.

So basically, a time machine would be completely wasted on me.

That’s okay because time travel isn’t required to enjoy all the random discoveries and inventions people have made with food and baking over the years. It’s easy to point out the differences between baking powder and baking soda, or why an extra egg yolk added to cakes, brownies, and cookies adds richness, moisture, and a chewy texture now.

But I can’t imagine the people who had to figure all that out in order for us to enjoy the array of baked goodies and treats we enjoy today!

If you want to up your cupcake game, then be sure to check out my post on How to Make Perfect Cupcakes here.

AND, for my best buttercream tips, including how to store, customize flavors, and my favorite decorative piping tips, download my FREE Buttercream Cheatsheet:

How to make

Ultimate Nutella Cupcakes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ultimate Nutella Cupcakes feature my perfectly moist chocolate cupcake base which is filled with Nutella, topped with Nutella buttercream, and garnished with a Ferrero Rocher candy! It's Nutella perfection!

Ingredients

For the chocolate cupcakes:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup (30 grams) Dutch-process cocoa
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (113 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup (114 grams) sour cream, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs plus one egg yolk, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the filling:

• 1/2 cup (150 grams) Nutella

For the Nutella buttercream:

• 2 cups (250 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
• 8 ounces (227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup (200 grams) Nutella
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ferrero rocher candies, for topping

Directions

Make the cupcakes:

1. In a medium heatproof bowl add the chocolate, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. Pour hot water over mixture. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk mixture gently until smooth then set aside to cool.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with foil or paper liners.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, salt, and baking soda.
4. Whisk sour cream, oil, eggs, egg yolk, vinegar, and vanilla into the cooled chocolate mixture until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture until smooth, being careful not to overmix.
5. Using a spring-loaded scoop, divide the batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Bake until cupcakes are set and firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Let cupcakes cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool completely, about 1 hour. Cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.

Fill the cupcakes:

1. Use an apple corer or small paring knife to remove the center of each cupcake, being careful not to remove the bottom.
2. Place the Nutella in a ziptop bag and snip a hole in one corner. Gently squeeze 2 teaspoons of Nutella into each cupcake.

Make the frosting:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase the speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes. Add the Nutella, salt, and vanilla and beat on medium for 1 minute, or until well combined.
2. Fit a piping bag with a decorative tip and frost all the cupcakes. Top with a Ferrero Rocher candy, if desired. Serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, or in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a picture and share it on Instagram with #handletheheat so we can all see!

Recipe by Tessa