Friday, February 08, 2013

Chocolate Week: Nutella Cupcakes with Nutella Buttercream Frosting


Today is the conclusion of chocolate week - and I'm ending it with a bang.

For those who don't know, I live in upstate NY, a mere thirty miles from the border of Canada. My husband is in the army and we live in a duplex that was we shall call hastily built. There were tons constructed as quickly and cheaply as possible. One of the unfortunate things about our house is that we have windows all along the backside wall of our house, both upstairs and downstairs, but virtually no windows on the front or sides. My kitchen has one window and it's technically a sliding door to the porch/side yard that has a giant tree shadowing it. It is not often that I have enough natural light to get a great picture of food. Also since a majority of the food I share is main dish, it's already dark out here and I have NO natural light.

I was really lucky the day I made these cupcakes. It was during a bright, sunny day and I took advantage of the full wall of windows in my living room. I am going to go out a limb here and say that the final food pictures are the BEST food pictures I have ever taken and I'm very proud of them.

I'm also starting to get better with frosting cupcakes - my momma who went to school for decorating would be so proud! These Nutella cupcakes were rich, smooth, velvety, and really everything I could have ever wanted out of a cupcake.

Nutella Cupcakes with Nutella Buttercream Frosting: the last #recipe for Chocolate week, these #Nutella cupcakes are rich and velvety!Nutella Cupcakes with Nutella Buttercream Frosting: the last #recipe for Chocolate week, these #Nutella cupcakes are rich and velvety!



(Print)
What you need:
Cupcakes:
  • 1/2 cup cocoa
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Nutella, melted
Frosting:
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 packet Dream Whip
  • 1/3 cup Nutella
  • 3 Tbsp. milk
  • 2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
For Cupcakes:
Place cocoa in a bowl or stand mixer. Pour hot water over the top and mix.

Add buttermilk and mix. Then add sugar and mix.

Mix in eggs, oil, and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix.
Stir in heavy cream and Nutella.

Divide into lined muffin/cupcake pan.

Bake at 350* for 18 to 22 minutes. Cool for at least 30 minutes.

For Frosting:
Cream together butter, salt and vanilla until light and fluffy.
Add Dream Whip on low.

Then beat in Nutella, powdered sugar, and milk - I used all 3 cups and all 3 Tbsp. 
Use to your desired consistency!

Frost cooled cupcakes and refrigerate until time to serve.


Recipe from Chef in Training

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15 comments :

April said...

Yum, yum, yum, you had me at Nutella. :) These look so good, and you did a fantastic job on the photos.

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Hi Sarah! Found you on the Grow Your Blog Hop and following you now....can't resist new recipes! Was looking for a new cupcake recipe and I think I just found it! Thanks!

Julie said...

Oh yum! I'd like to have one of these right now! Pinning and sharing on Facebook. I'll also be sharing this on my Favorite Finds post tomorrow morning. :)

Have a fabulous day!

Julie

Unknown said...

I want one of these, right now! Good thing I have some Nutella waiting for me in the panty. I think your pics are great!

Corinna @ The Sweet Spot Blog said...

I love chocolate week!

Christi said...

These sound amazing, thanks for sharing! I am a new follower!

Carrie @ My Favorite Finds said...

Nutella...that's all that needs to be said :). Thanks for sharing at Must Try Monday!

Nicole @WonkyW said...

Oh My Nutella Goodness! These are calling my name.

Melissa {Persnickety Plates} said...

I agree - best pics yet :)

Angela said...

Yummy, my 5 year old is a chocolate cake lover, he will love these, thanks for sharing

April said...

Just wanted to let you know that I pinned this on my Pinterest board and it is getting repinned A LOT. Congrats! :)

Winnie said...

These are wonderful and delicious looking cupcakes!!

Unknown said...

These are so fun! Thanks for sharing at Two Cup Tuesday at <a href = "http://www.pintsizedbaker.com>Pint Sized Baker </a>. I hope to see you again there tomorrow night!

Unknown said...

Nutella frosting is my life. I mean, I've never had it before, but I'm pretty sure that I want to marry it anyway.

Thanks for linking up to What's Cookin' Wednesday!

Desi said...

You're right, your photos look gorg!!! Great frosting technique too... I never want to make cupcakes because I dunno how to frost!!