Nutella Cupcakes

• Refrigerated

  • 2 Eggs, large

• Condiments

  • 2/3 cup Nutella

• Baking & Spices

  • 1 1/3 cups All-purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/2 cup Cocoa powder, natural unsweetened
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 cups Powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 2 tsp Vanilla, pure

• Nuts & Seeds

  • 1 Candied hazelnuts
  • 1/2 cup Hazelnuts

• Dairy

  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 1 cup Butter, unsalted
  • 2 tbsp Heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Whole milk

• Liquids

  • 1/2 cup Water, HOT

Found on prettysimplesweet.com

Description

Ingredients

• 1⅓ cups (185g/6.5 oz) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (50g/1.7 oz) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (1 stick/113g) butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g/7 oz) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120ml) hot water
• ½ cup (50g/1.7 oz) hazelnuts, toasted* and chopped, optional
• 1 cup (2 sticks/227g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2¼ cups (270g/9.5 oz) powdered sugar, sifted (plus more as necessary)
• ⅔ cup (200g/7 oz) Nutella
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream (or whole milk)
• Chopped candied hazelnuts, to sprinkle, optional

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. On medium speed, beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add half of the dry ingredients and beat just until combined. Beat in milk until combined. Add the other half of the dry ingredients and beat slowly until combined. Add hot water and beat just until combined. Do not over mix—the less you mix, the lighter the cake will be. The batter should be liquid. Fold in hazelnuts if using.
• Divide batter evenly between cups, filling them about ¾ full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Allow cupcakes to sit for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
• For the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar in 2 additions and beat until completely smooth. Add Nutella, vanilla extract, and heavy cream, and beat until combined and creamy. Add powdered sugar as necessary until frosting is spreadable. Frost cupcakes once they’ve cooled, then top with candied hazelnuts. Use frosting immediately to frost cupcakes or store in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. Before using, bring to room temperature and beat or whisk by hand until smooth again, about a minute.
• Cupcakes are best the same day they’re made, but can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Unfrosted cupcakes can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw, still covered, on the counter or overnight in the fridge.
• * To toast the hazelnuts, place them in an even layer on a pan lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F/180C for 5-8 minutes.