Craving a delightful treat that combines the rich flavors of coffee and Nutella? Look no further than these Mocha Nutella Cupcakes! This recipe infuses moist coffee-flavored cupcakes with a luscious Nutella filling and tops them off with a heavenly Nutella buttercream frosting.
Inspired by a love for all things coffee and sweet, these cupcakes are a perfect indulgence for any coffee lover. The addition of a hint of mocha flavor and a generous dollop of Nutella elevates these treats to a whole new level of decadence.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these Mocha Nutella Cupcakes are a delightful and easy-to-make option for satisfying your sweet tooth. Get ready to enjoy a moist and flavorful cupcake experience that’s sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.
Ingredients
Mocha Cupcake Base
- 1 and 2/3 cups (217g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (115g) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (160g) Nutella
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
- 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups (460g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3/4 cup (225g) Nutella
- 1/3 cup (80ml) heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: decorative candies
Equipment Needed
For preparing these delicious Mocha Nutella Cupcakes, you will need some essential kitchen equipment to make the baking process smooth and enjoyable. Here is a list of the equipment you will need:
1. Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: A stand mixer or a hand mixer will help you efficiently mix the cupcake batter and the frosting, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
2. Mixing Bowls: Various sizes of mixing bowls are necessary for combining the dry and wet ingredients for both the cupcake batter and the frosting.
3. Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial in baking, so having a set of measuring cups and spoons will help you ensure the right balance of ingredients.
4. Cupcake Liners: Liners are essential for filling the cupcake pan and preventing the cupcakes from sticking. Choose decorative liners for a fun touch.
5. Cupcake Pan: A standard 12-cup muffin pan will be needed to bake the cupcakes to perfection.
6. Piping Bags and Tips: Piping bags and decorating tips will assist you in filling the cupcakes with Nutella and frosting them elegantly.
7. Oven: Preheat your oven to the specified temperature to bake the cupcakes until they are cooked through.
Having these essential baking tools and equipment ready will make the process of creating these scrumptious Mocha Nutella Cupcakes a delightful and successful experience.
Preparation
Preparing the Cupcake Batter
To start preparing the cupcake batter, begin by combining the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, sugars, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl. In a separate medium heatproof bowl, mix the chocolate, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. Add hot water to the mixture, cover, and let it stand for 5 minutes. Afterward, whisk the mixture until smooth and set it aside to cool.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350F (176C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Once the chocolate mixture has cooled, whisk in the sour cream, oil, eggs, egg yolk, vinegar (if using), and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the flour mixture, being careful not to overmix.
Using a spring-loaded scoop, divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups until they are about 3/4 full. Bake the cupcakes for approximately 20 minutes or until they are set and firm to the touch. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely for about an hour. These delightful cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.
Prepping for Frosting
For the decadent Nutella buttercream frosting, start by ensuring the unsalted butter is softened to room temperature. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, Nutella, heavy cream (or whole milk), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, whisking until a smooth and creamy consistency is achieved.
Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost them generously with the Nutella buttercream using a piping bag or offset spatula for a beautifully decorated finish. Optional decorations like chocolate sprinkles and raspberries can be added for an extra touch of elegance and flavor. The frosting-to-cupcake ratio can be adjusted to personal preference for a delightful visual and taste experience.
Baking the Cupcakes
To bake these delightful Mocha Nutella cupcakes, follow these steps carefully to ensure a perfect outcome:
1. Preparing the Batter
After combining the dry and wet ingredients, it’s time to bake the cupcakes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
2. Filling the Cupcake Liners
Once your batter is ready, fill the cupcake liners a little more than half full. This should be around 51g of batter.
3. Baking the Cupcakes
Place the filled cupcake pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 16-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the edges are just lightly golden brown.
4. Cooling the Cupcakes
When the cupcakes are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
Making the Nutella Frosting
To create the decadent Nutella frosting that will elevate these Mocha Nutella Cupcakes to the next level, follow these simple steps:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 and 1/2 cups Nutella
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Creaming the Butter and Nutella:
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and Nutella until smooth and well combined.
- Adding the Sugar:
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar to the butter and Nutella mixture, blending well after each addition.
- Incorporating the Cream and Flavor:
- Pour in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat the mixture on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
- Adjusting Consistency:
- If the frosting seems too thick, add more cream, a tablespoon at a time, until reaching the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Final Mixing:
- Beat the frosting on high speed for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
Assembling the Cupcakes
Having prepared the delightful mocha cupcakes and luscious Nutella buttercream frosting, it’s time to bring everything together to assemble these decadent mocha Nutella cupcakes. Follow these simple steps to create a final product that is sure to impress.
Step 1: Hollowing the Cupcakes
- Using a small knife, carefully cut out the centers of each cupcake.
- Reserve the removed cake pieces for another use or as a snack.
Step 2: Filling with Mocha Mousse
- Take about 1/3 cup of the prepared Nutella frosting and transfer it to a medium bowl.
- Whip a portion of the remaining cream until it reaches firm peaks.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the Nutella frosting in the bowl to create a rich mocha mousse filling.
- Use a spoon or piping bag to fill the hollowed center of each cupcake with the mocha mousse.
Step 3: Frosting and Drizzling
- Once filled with the mocha mousse, spread or pipe a generous amount of the remaining Nutella frosting on top of each cupcake.
- For an added touch, drizzle the tops of the cupcakes with my Easy One Pot Hot Fudge Sauce or additional Nutella for extra indulgence.
- To enhance the visual appeal and taste, consider decorating the frosted cupcakes with chocolate sprinkles, fresh raspberries, or any other desired garnishes.
- Get creative with your presentation to make these mocha Nutella cupcakes visually stunning.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
When it comes to storing your delicious Mocha Nutella Cupcakes, it’s important to maintain their freshness and flavor. Here are some tips to help you make them ahead of time and store them properly:
Storing Freshly Baked Cupcakes:
- Once your cupcakes have completely cooled after baking, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Make sure the container is well-sealed to prevent any moisture loss.
- If you plan to consume the cupcakes within a few days, you can also refrigerate them. Place the cupcakes in an airtight container before refrigerating to keep them fresh and moist.
Make-Ahead Preparation:
- If you want to prepare your cupcakes in advance, you can bake the cupcakes, fill them with Nutella, and frost them with buttercream ahead of time. Store the assembled cupcakes in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes. Once they have cooled completely, individually wrap each cupcake tightly with plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
- When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen cupcakes, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process will help maintain the cupcakes’ texture and flavor.
- Once thawed, you can bring the cupcakes to room temperature before serving by leaving them at room temperature for a few hours. You can also frost the cupcakes while they are still cold for easier handling.
By following these storage and make-ahead tips, you can always have a batch of scrumptious Mocha Nutella Cupcakes ready to enjoy without the stress of last-minute baking.
Conclusion
Creating Mocha Nutella Cupcakes is a delightful experience that combines the rich flavors of mocha and Nutella into a scrumptious treat. The process of making these cupcakes, from the mocha base to the Nutella frosting, offers a perfect balance of coffee and chocolate notes in every bite. The decorative toppings and garnishes elevate the visual appeal and taste, making these cupcakes a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. With proper storage and preparation techniques, you can enjoy these delectable cupcakes stress-free for up to 2 days or longer. Embrace the joy of baking and treat yourself to these indulgent Mocha Nutella Cupcakes that are sure to impress your family and friends.