Irresistible Nutella Cupcakes: Your Ultimate Guide to Decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Treats

Prepare to be enchanted by the magic of Nutella Cupcakes – a truly irresistible dessert that combines moist chocolate cake, a luscious Nutella filling, and a dreamy, fluffy Nutella buttercream frosting. If your heart beats for the rich, creamy blend of chocolate and hazelnut, then this recipe is an absolute must-try. These aren’t just cupcakes; they’re a decadent experience, surprisingly simple to create yet yielding results that look and taste straight from a gourmet bakery.

Every bite of these exquisite chocolate hazelnut cupcakes is a symphony of flavors and textures. The deep, rich chocolate cake provides the perfect foundation, while the hidden pocket of creamy Nutella in the center adds an unexpected burst of flavor and a wonderfully moist surprise. Crowned with a light and airy Nutella buttercream, these cupcakes promise a truly luxurious treat that will captivate everyone who tries them.

Whether you’re planning a grand celebration, a casual get-together, or simply craving something extraordinary, these Nutella Cupcakes are designed to impress. They are remarkably easy to prepare, making them an ideal choice for bakers of all skill levels. Beyond being a standalone delight, their versatility allows for creative transformations, such as festive Football Cupcakes, or simply enjoying the same beloved flavor profile in other forms like Nutella Stuffed Cookies and a quick Nutella Mug Cake.

If you’re a devoted fan of cupcakes, we also highly recommend exploring other delightful variations such as our Chocolate Chip Cupcakes, the sweet and savory Salted Caramel Cupcakes, and the aromatic Mocha Cupcakes. For more elaborate options, don’t miss our indulgent Black Forest Cupcakes, the classic Best Red Velvet Cake Recipe, and the unique Guinness Cupcakes. Each offers a distinct flavor adventure, but today, our focus is on the unparalleled joy of Nutella.

Table of Contents

• What is Nutella? A Sweet Indulgence Explained
• Why These Nutella Cupcakes Are a Must-Try
• The Secret to Perfectly Moist Cupcakes: Ingredients Breakdown
  • Essential Cupcake Ingredients
  • Luxurious Nutella Frosting Components
• Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Dream Nutella Cupcakes
  • Baking the Chocolate Cupcakes
  • Creating the Decadent Nutella Filling
  • Whipping Up the Fluffy Nutella Frosting
• Customize Your Treat: Delicious Variations and Substitutions
• Expert Tips for Bakery-Style Nutella Cupcakes
• Storage and Make-Ahead Strategies
  • Storing Leftover Cupcakes
  • Freezing Cupcakes: A Handy Guide
  • Preparing in Advance
• More Indulgent Dessert Ideas

What is Nutella? A Sweet Indulgence Explained

Before diving into the recipe, let’s appreciate the star ingredient: Nutella. Originating in Italy, Nutella is a globally celebrated brand of sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread. Its signature smooth, creamy texture and unparalleled blend of rich cocoa and toasted hazelnuts make it a beloved pantry staple for many. Often compared to peanut butter in consistency, Nutella offers a distinctive flavor profile that elevates any dessert it graces. While Nutella is the most popular brand, the essence of chocolate hazelnut spread can be found in various other brands, allowing you to choose your personal favorite. This delectable spread is what makes each bite of these cupcakes so incredibly indulgent and satisfying, transforming a simple chocolate cupcake into a gourmet experience.

Why These Nutella Cupcakes Are a Must-Try

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this Nutella Cupcake recipe. Here’s why these treats deserve a special place in your baking repertoire:

• Unbelievably Moist and Flavorful Cupcakes: Thanks to a clever combination of a cake mix and instant pudding, these chocolate cupcakes are exceptionally moist, tender, and bursting with deep cocoa flavor, making them anything but ordinary.
• The Best Nutella Frosting Ever: Our homemade Nutella buttercream is light, airy, and intensely flavored with chocolate hazelnut, creating a perfect complement to the rich cupcakes. It’s visually appealing and tastes even better.
• A Decadent Nutella Core: The surprise center of creamy Nutella spread elevates these cupcakes, adding an extra layer of hazelnut goodness and ensuring a burst of flavor with every bite. This gooey filling makes them truly special.
• Bakery-Quality Results, Made at Home: Achieve professional-looking and tasting cupcakes without the high price tag or the intensive labor often associated with gourmet desserts. They’re perfect for impressing guests at any party or celebration.
• Effortless Preparation: Despite their sophisticated appearance and taste, this recipe is designed for simplicity, allowing you to create stunning desserts with minimal fuss.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: From birthday parties to holiday gatherings or just a weekend treat, these cupcakes are always a hit and adapt beautifully to various decorative themes.

The Secret to Perfectly Moist Cupcakes: Ingredients Breakdown

Creating these sensational Nutella Cupcakes starts with understanding the role each ingredient plays. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to achieve that perfect bakery-style taste and texture:

Essential Cupcake Ingredients

• Devil’s Food Cake Mix (1 Box, 15.25 ounces): This forms the base of our incredibly moist chocolate cupcakes. Using a box mix simplifies the process significantly while still delivering a rich, deep chocolate flavor. It’s the shortcut to perfection.
• Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix (1 Box, 3.4 ounces): The secret weapon for ultimate moisture and an enhanced chocolate flavor. Adding instant pudding mix to cake batter creates an incredibly tender crumb that stays fresh longer. You can even make Chocolate Pudding from scratch if preferred.
• Large Eggs (4): Eggs bind the ingredients, add richness, and help the cupcakes rise, contributing to their structure and fluffy texture.
• Water (½ cup) and Milk (¾ cup): The liquid components that hydrate the dry ingredients, ensuring a smooth batter and contributing to the overall moisture of the cake. Using a combination of water and milk can lead to a more tender and flavorful cupcake than just water alone.
• Vegetable Oil (½ cup): Unlike butter, oil contributes to a consistently moist and tender cupcake crumb, preventing dryness and giving the cupcakes a lovely texture.
• Nutella (1 cup): This is for the glorious, gooey filling in the center of each cupcake, providing that signature chocolate hazelnut burst.

Luxurious Nutella Frosting Components

• Salted Butter (1 cup, softened): Ensure your butter is at room temperature before you begin. This is crucial for achieving a smooth, creamy frosting without lumps, providing a rich, buttery base.
• Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Pure vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the frosting, adding a warm, aromatic depth that complements the chocolate and hazelnut beautifully.
• Powdered Sugar (6 cups): The primary sweetener and thickener for the frosting. Sifting it beforehand is highly recommended to eliminate any lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth buttercream.
• Nutella (1 cup): The key ingredient for infusing the frosting with its distinctive chocolate hazelnut taste and beautiful color.
• Heavy Whipping Cream (4-5 Tablespoons): This is added gradually to achieve the perfect piping consistency for your frosting, making it light, fluffy, and easy to work with.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Used for topping the finished cupcakes, these add a lovely textural contrast and an extra touch of chocolate.

You can find the comprehensive ingredient list with precise measurements in the recipe card below.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Dream Nutella Cupcakes

Creating these delectable Nutella Cupcakes is an enjoyable process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly baked and beautifully decorated treats:

Baking the Chocolate Cupcakes

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Line two standard muffin pans with cupcake liners, ensuring you have enough for approximately 24 cupcakes.
2. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Devil’s Food cake mix and instant chocolate pudding mix. Then, add the wet ingredients: the large eggs, water, milk, and vegetable oil.
3. Mix the Batter: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer, beat the ingredients on medium speed until they are just combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dry or tough cupcakes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
4. Fill Cupcake Liners: Carefully pour the chocolate cupcake batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each liner approximately halfway to two-thirds full. This allows room for the cupcakes to rise without overflowing.
5. Bake to Perfection: Place the muffin pans into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Baking times can vary, so keep an eye on them. The cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
6. Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the muffin tins from the oven and let the cupcakes cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. It’s crucial that the cupcakes cool completely before moving on to the filling and frosting steps. Warm cupcakes will melt your filling and frosting.

Mixing the chocolate cupcake batter until smooth.

Freshly baked cupcakes cooling on a wire rack.

Creating the Decadent Nutella Filling

7. Core the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, it’s time to create space for the Nutella filling. Use a small paring knife, a grapefruit spoon, or a cupcake corer to carefully remove a small hole from the center of each cupcake. Be careful not to go all the way through to the bottom.
8. Fill with Nutella: Gently pipe or spoon a generous amount of Nutella into the center of each cored cupcake. This hidden pocket of creamy hazelnut spread is what makes these cupcakes truly extraordinary.

Whipping Up the Fluffy Nutella Frosting

9. Cream Butter and Vanilla: In a clean large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer, beat the softened salted butter and vanilla extract. Start on low speed and gradually increase to medium until the mixture is light, smooth, and creamy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
10. Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, allowing it to incorporate fully before adding more. The mixture will become very thick initially. Continue mixing until all the powdered sugar is combined and the frosting is smooth.
11. Incorporate Nutella: Add the cup of Nutella to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the Nutella is completely blended and the frosting achieves a uniform color and flavor.
12. Achieve Piping Consistency: Begin adding the heavy whipping cream, one tablespoon at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition. Continue until the frosting reaches a light, fluffy, and pipeable consistency. You want it firm enough to hold its shape but soft enough to flow smoothly through a piping bag.

Beating softened butter and vanilla extract for the frosting.

Slowly incorporating powdered sugar into the creamy butter.

Blending Nutella into the frosting mixture for rich flavor.

Beautifully frosted Nutella Cupcakes, ready to enjoy.

13. Frost and Garnish: Transfer the creamy Nutella frosting to a piping bag fitted with your favorite star tip (or any decorative tip you prefer). Pipe the frosting artfully onto the top of each cupcake.
14. Final Touch: Finish by sprinkling mini chocolate chips over the frosting for an extra layer of chocolatey goodness and visual appeal. Your delightful Nutella Cupcakes are now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Customize Your Treat: Delicious Variations and Substitutions

One of the joys of baking is the ability to customize a recipe to your preferences or dietary needs. These Nutella Cupcakes offer plenty of room for creative twists:

• Peanut Butter Perfection: If you’re a fan of the classic chocolate and peanut butter combination, consider filling the cupcakes with smooth peanut butter instead of Nutella. You could even take it a step further and top them with a luscious peanut butter frosting for a complete PB&C experience.
• Elegant Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra touch of sophistication, replace the mini chocolate chips topping with a rich chocolate ganache or melted chocolate drizzle. Simply melt your favorite chocolate (dark, milk, or white) and drizzle it artfully over the piped frosting. For ultimate indulgence, why not use both chocolate chips and a drizzle?
• Vanilla Cake Base: While the deep chocolate cake is a perfect match for Nutella, you can easily lighten the chocolate intensity by using a vanilla cake mix for the cupcakes. This creates a delightful contrast where the Nutella filling and frosting truly shine against a milder backdrop.
• Gourmet Toppings: Elevate the presentation and flavor with gourmet toppings. Crushed roasted hazelnuts sprinkled over the frosting add a wonderful crunch and intensify the hazelnut flavor. For a truly luxurious touch, adorn each cupcake with a whole Ferrero Rocher candy – a perfect combination! Sprinkles in various colors can also add a fun, festive touch for different occasions.
• Homemade Cake Option: If you prefer baking from scratch, feel free to substitute the box cake mix with your favorite homemade chocolate cake recipe. Ensure the yield is similar to a standard cake mix (around 24 cupcakes) for consistent results. This allows for even more control over the flavor and texture of your cake base.
• Espresso Boost: For coffee lovers, adding a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the chocolate cake batter can deepen the chocolate flavor without adding a strong coffee taste. It’s a subtle yet impactful enhancement.

Expert Tips for Bakery-Style Nutella Cupcakes

Achieving truly magnificent Nutella Cupcakes, reminiscent of those from a high-end bakery, comes down to a few key techniques and considerations:

• Room Temperature Butter and Eggs: This is a golden rule for baking and especially for frosting. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature (not melted) for the frosting. Similarly, using room temperature eggs in your cake batter allows for better emulsification with other ingredients, resulting in a smoother batter and a more uniform, tender cupcake crumb.
• Avoid Overbaking at All Costs: Overbaked cupcakes are dry cupcakes. Keep a close watch on your oven. The moment a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with minimal moist crumbs, they are done. A slight wobble in the center is okay, as they will continue to cook slightly from residual heat once removed from the oven.
• Blend Batter Until Just Combined: When mixing your cake batter, stop as soon as the dry ingredients are fully incorporated into the wet. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, dense cupcakes instead of light and fluffy ones. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
• Careful Coring for the Filling: When creating the hole for your Nutella filling, use a small, sharp paring knife, a grapefruit spoon, or a dedicated cupcake corer. The goal is to create a neat cavity without piercing through the bottom of the cupcake. If you go too deep, your precious Nutella filling might seep out once added, leading to a mess.
• Sift Your Powdered Sugar: For the smoothest, most luxurious frosting, always sift your powdered sugar. This prevents any lumps from forming in your buttercream, ensuring a silky, professional finish that pipes beautifully.
• Invest in a Good Piping Tip: While you can simply spread frosting with a knife, using a star tip (like Wilton 1M or 2D) not only makes the process easier but also creates a beautiful, elegant swirl that instantly elevates the look of your cupcakes to bakery quality.

Storage and Make-Ahead Strategies

These Nutella Cupcakes are so delicious, you might not have many leftovers! But knowing how to store them properly, or even prepare them in advance, is incredibly useful.

Storing Leftover Cupcakes

Due to the dairy in the Nutella frosting, it’s best to refrigerate any leftover cupcakes. Place them in an airtight container to keep them fresh and prevent them from absorbing odors from other foods. They will stay delicious for up to 3-5 days. For the absolute best taste and texture, allow the refrigerated cupcakes to come to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before serving. This softens the frosting and enhances the cake’s tenderness.

Freezing Cupcakes: A Handy Guide

Yes, you absolutely can freeze cupcakes! This is a fantastic way to prepare ahead or preserve extra treats.

• Unfrosted Cupcakes: For optimal freshness and ease of storage, it’s best to freeze unfrosted cupcakes. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or tightly wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, and then fill with Nutella and frost as usual.
• Frosted Cupcakes: If you need to freeze frosted cupcakes, first “flash freeze” them. Place the frosted cupcakes on a baking sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes to an hour, or until the frosting is firm. This prevents the frosting from sticking to the wrapping. Once firm, individually wrap each cupcake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Preparing in Advance

This recipe is wonderfully accommodating for advanced preparation, making it perfect for busy hosts or those who love to plan ahead for parties and special occasions.

• Cupcakes: Bake the chocolate cupcakes a day or two in advance. Store them, unfrosted and unfilled, in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them as described above. When it’s time to serve, simply thaw (if frozen), core, fill with Nutella, and decorate.
• Frosting: The Nutella frosting can also be made a day or two ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before using, let it come to room temperature for at least an hour. Then, give it a good stir with a spatula or briefly beat it with a mixer on low speed to restore its creamy, pipeable consistency.
• Assembly: For the freshest taste, we recommend assembling (filling and frosting) the cupcakes on the day of your event, or the evening before if serving the next morning.

Nutella Cupcakes Recipe

Recipe Summary

Moist chocolate cupcakes stuffed with Nutella filling and topped with light and fluffy frosting is the best Nutella Cupcakes. If you love chocolate hazelnut spread, this recipe is a must try.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Servings: 24 cupcakes

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Calories: 468 kcal per serving

Author: Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 Box Devil’s Food Cake Mix (15.25 ounces)
• 1 Box Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix (3.4 ounces)
• 4 Large Eggs
• 1/2 cup Water
• 3/4 cup Milk
• 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 cup Nutella (for filling)

For the Nutella Frosting:

• 1 cup Salted Butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• 6 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 cup Nutella
• 4-5 Tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
• Mini Chocolate Chips, for topping

Instructions

For the Cupcakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 muffin pans with cupcake liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cake mix, pudding, eggs, water, milk, and vegetable oil until well combined.
3. Pour the batter into the muffin cups, filling them up approximately ½ way full.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Let the cupcakes cool completely on wire racks.
6. Once the cupcakes are cool, use a small spoon or grapefruit spoon to remove a small hole in the top of each of the cupcakes.
7. Then pipe Nutella into the center of each of the cupcakes.

For the Frosting:

8. Beat the butter and vanilla extract with a stand up mixer or hand held mixer until smooth and creamy.
9. Slowly add in the powdered sugar (1 cup at a time) until the powdered sugar is fully mixed in (the mixture will be thick).
10. Add in the Nutella and mix on low speed until fully combined.
11. Then slowly add in the heavy whipping cream one tablespoon at a time until the frosting is a good piping consistency.
12. Place the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe the frosting on each of the cupcakes.
13. Top with the mini chocolate chips. Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate the leftovers, covered, for up to 3-5 days. Allow to come to room temperature before serving for best taste.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 468 kcal, Carbohydrates 65g, Protein 4g, Fat 22g, Saturated Fat 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3g, Monounsaturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0.4g, Cholesterol 51mg, Sodium 276mg, Potassium 151mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 54g, Vitamin A 326IU, Vitamin C 0.01mg, Calcium 84mg, Iron 2mg.

More Indulgent Dessert Ideas

If you’ve loved these Nutella Cupcakes, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delightful recipes on our site. From more amazing cupcake creations to a variety of Nutella-infused treats, there’s always something new to try.

Our Favorite Cupcake Recipes

• Butterfinger Cupcakes
• Cookie Monster Cupcakes
• Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
• Apple Pie Cupcakes
• Cherry Almond Cupcakes
• Oreo Cupcake Recipe

Explore More Nutella Delights

Beyond cupcakes, Nutella shines in many other dessert categories. Dive into these equally delicious Nutella-centric recipes:

These Nutella Cupcakes are more than just a dessert; they are a delightful journey into the world of chocolate hazelnut bliss. Once you experience the ease of preparation and the sensational taste, you’ll find yourself making them again and again. They are truly a crowd-pleaser and a recipe worth sharing. Don’t hesitate – give these amazing cupcakes a try today, and let us know what you think in the comments!