Super moist and rich homemade chocolate cupcakes topped with creamy Nutella frosting.

Well well well. What do we have here? Did a huge scoop of Nutella fall into my buttercream? Oh yes it did.

And well, the result is far better than “tasty.” In fact, the word “delicious” won’t even do this Nutella frosting justice. It is, by far, the best frosting in the entire world. The creamiest, Nutellaiest (I invented a new word today), and the softest frosting ever.

I’ve already introduced you to a homemade chocolate cupcake recipe. If you’re new around these parts, you don’t want to miss that post. The cupcakes are very simple to make with easy, convenient ingredients. They are moist with an intense chocolate flavor. Be careful not to overbake them because they will quickly dry out.

I used the same chocolate cupcake recipe for today’s cupcakes. Chocolate cupcake + Nutella frosting. Chocolate on top of chocolate!

Doesn’t the frosting look like fluffy chocolate mousse? Well, that’s what it tastes like too. I love it so much that I have a completely separate post for it. Use this nutella frosting on anything and everything including vanilla cupcakes and coconut cake, too!

Nutella Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

Unsalted Butter: Start with room temperature butter here. Remember that room temperature butter is cooler than you think. If the butter is too warm, the Nutella frosting will taste greasy. Confectioners’ Sugar: Confectioner’s sugar is the bulk of this frosting, sweetening it and binding the ingredients together. Nutella: Chocolate hazelnut spread is the real money maker here! Tip: if you’re not using a fresh jar, the Nutella can get a little thick and clumpy. Give it a good stir before measuring and using in this recipe. Heavy Cream or Milk: Liquid thins out and adds creaminess to the frosting. You can use heavy cream or milk, dairy or nondairy. I prefer heavy cream for an extra creamy texture. Vanilla Extract & Salt: Both add incredible flavor.

Frost the cupcakes however you’d like. I like to pile the frosting nice and high. I’ll take my frosting with a side of cupcake, not the other way around. And I think many of you agree with me. 😉 Decorate with all sorts of goodies! I used M&Ms, but I have a feeling Reese’s Pieces, chopped hazelnuts, coconut, or peanut butter chips would be fabulous accessories for the cupcakes.

What’s not to love here?

clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon print print icon squares squares icon Chocolate Cupcakes with Creamy Nutella Frosting ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 from 2 reviews Author: Sally

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Yield: 14 cupcakes

Category: Cupcakes

Method: Baking

Cuisine: American Print Pin Description Super moist and rich homemade chocolate cupcakes topped with creamy Nutella buttercream frosting. Ingredients Chocolate Cupcakes 1 cup (240ml) water

(240ml) 1/2 cup ( 42g ) unsweetened cocoa powder

( ) unsweetened 1 and 1/3 cups ( 167g ) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)

and 1/3 cups ( ) (spoon & leveled) 2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup ( 115g ) unsalted butter , softened to room temperature

( ) , softened to room temperature 1 cup ( 200g ) granulated sugar

( ) 2 large eggs

large 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Creamy Nutella Frosting 1 cup ( 230g ) unsalted butter , softened to room temperature

( ) , softened to room temperature 4 cups ( 460g ) confectioners’ sugar

( ) 3/4 cup ( 225g ) Nutella

( ) 1/3 cup (80ml) heavy cream or whole milk

(80ml) or whole milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

pinch salt

optional: decorative candies Instructions Make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C). Line 14 muffin cups with liners. Over high heat, boil the water in a small saucepan. Pour the unsweetened cocoa powder into a medium sized bowl and mix with boiling water until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature by placing in the refrigerator as you prepare the other ingredients. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric hand or stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla extract. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat only until *just* combined. In a steady stream, add the cooled cocoa mixture and stir until smooth. Fill each muffin tin 3/4 of the way full with batter. Bake for 16-19 minutes, keeping an eye on them to avoid even the slightest burning (which will lend dry cupcakes). My cupcakes took 17 minutes and a toothpick inserted in the middle came out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool before frosting. Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and add confectioners’ sugar, Nutella, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium-high speed and beat for 2 full minutes. Add up to 1/2 cup more confectioners’ sugar if frosting is too thin or another Tablespoon of cream if frosting is too thick. Add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet. (I always add 1/8 teaspoon salt.) Frost cooled cupcakes with a piping tip, knife, or icing spatula. I used Wilton #12 round tip. Decorate with candies, if desired. Serve immediately. Store leftover cupcakes in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Notes Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Plain cupcakes can be made ahead 1 day in advance, covered and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Frosting can also be made 1 day in advance, covered, and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Bring cupcakes and buttercream to room temperature before frosting. Freeze frosted or unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Be sure to check out my 10 tips for baking the BEST cupcakes before you begin! Keywords: chocolate nutella cupcakes

See all Nutella recipes.

See all cupcake recipes.