Nutella Cupcakes
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup (120ml) milk
½ cup (140g) Nutella (plus extra for filling)
¼ cup (60g) sour cream (or plain yogurt)
For the Nutella Frosting:
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (240g) Nutella
2 cups (250g) powdered sugar, sifted
2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (adjust for desired consistency)
A pinch of salt
Instructions:
For the Cupcakes:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes) using an electric mixer.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
In another bowl, combine the milk, Nutella, and sour cream (or yogurt) until smooth.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients (milk/Nutella mixture) to the butter mixture. Start with the dry ingredients and end with the wet, mixing until just combined.
Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely.
For the Nutella Frosting:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and Nutella together until smooth and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well between each addition.
Add the heavy cream (or milk) and salt. Beat for an additional 2-3 minutes until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency with more cream or powdered sugar if needed.
Assembling the Cupcakes:
Once the cupcakes have cooled, use a small knife or cupcake corer to create a small hole in the center of each cupcake.
Fill the hole with a small spoonful of Nutella (you can warm it slightly to make it easier to pour).
Frost the cupcakes with the Nutella frosting using a piping bag or a knife.
Optional: You can add some chopped hazelnuts or chocolate shavings on top for extra flavor and decoration.