Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes

Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes are rich, moist, decadent, and an easy chocolate filled cupcake recipe with fresh strawberry buttercream frosting!

Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

Strawberry and Nutella, the best chocolate hazelnut spread ever, is one of the most underrated flavor combinations out there. I have loved this combination for as far back as I remember.

My mother wasn't a fan of Nutella but our neighbor was.  I spent so much time at her house playing with her daughter that I was lucky to enjoy sandwiches with Nutella and sliced strawberries all over it regularly. Boy oh boy were they good.

Definitely not as popular as strawberry banana or caramel and apple but maybe it should be!

I am hoping now that you heard me say that you will at least consider putting these chocolate filled cupcakes on your bucket list!  These  Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes are definitely worth a try and they’re every bit as wonderful as they look! Just wait until you taste them.

Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake

The perfect chocolate filled cupcake.  Supermoist, filled with creamy and smooth chocolate hazelnut spread and topped with this beautiful pink, fresh strawberry buttercream frosting.

The beauty of this Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes recipe is that these cupcakes are perfect to impress that special someone in your life on Valentine's Day, a different holiday, or just because!

It also is wonderful to use this Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes recipe to feed a crowd at any kind of event. I have never had any leftovers yet!

This Strawberry Cupcake Recipe has an ideal balance of flavors that make these cupcakes totally satisfying. The exact, right amount of chocolate, Nutella and strawberry in every bite! Nothing is overpowering anything else. Total chocolate filled cupcake perfection.

Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe with Frosting

With this recipe you have a few different frosting choices. I figured since I rotate them, you should have the same opportunity!

Below you will find the recipes for the Best Nutella Buttercream Frosting, Strawberry Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting and Strawberry Buttercream Frosting.

All are delicious on these cupcakes. If you decide to fill the cupcakes with Nutella please be advised that the inside of these cupcakes turns the inside of the cupcake somewhat soggy after two days, including the day that you made them.

If I need to make this strawberry cupcakes recipe ahead of time I will make the cupcakes, without the Nutella stuffing, let them totally cool and freeze them in an airtight container. They freeze beautifully without any stuffing or frosting.

The day I need the chocolate cupcakes I remove them from the freezer and start to make the frosting I want to use. Depending on time and personal tastes, I make my decision. Sometimes I make both.

What is the difference between Icing, Frosting and Buttercream?

So many people use these terms interchangeably so I am going to set the record straight!

Icing

Icing is usually a somewhat thin and sugary glaze or spread that usually hardens as it cools, used to decorate all kinds of baked goods. It includes powdered sugar, flavoring and milk or water.

Frosting

Frosting is made using powdered sugar, flavoring, milk or water and a fat of some kind. The difference between Frosting and Buttercream is the type of fat that is used.

Generally, with frosting, shortening is used and can be almost greasy and have a mild chemical like taste. It is great however, if you need your frosting to hold its shape.

Frosting is used to decorate baked goods and is usually thick, light and fluffy and is made with cream cheese or shortening. It does not contain butter which is the difference between buttercream and frosting.

Buttercream

Buttercream frosting is softened butter based and often has a pale yellow tint. The butter must be at room temperature or it will be near impossible to cream. Butter reduces the sweet, sugary taste and adds a creamy, silky and rich taste to your buttercream frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frosting only uses cream cheese and no butter. Use full fat cream cheese as the reduced fat will result in watery frosting. Also, do not over blend your cream cheese frosting or it will look almost sandy or gritty.

Cream Cheese Buttercream

Cream cheese frosting only uses cream cheese and no butter, otherwise it is simply a cream cheese buttercream frosting.

Store Bought Frosting

If you need or want to purchase store bought already made frosting that is alright. Myself, I always keep a can or two around, just in case I run out of time.

Here is a little trick I was taught years ago and it is handy to know, well I think so!

Take your store bought frosting, dump it into a bowl and whip it with a handheld or stand mixer. Add approximately 2-3 tablespoons of room temperature butter, and a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract and whip it all again.

Taste your frosting and if it needs it just add a little more butter and/or vanilla until you are satisfied. Some brands require more butter and vanilla than others to pass for homemade. This think this trick will surprise you just like I was!

Regulating Frosting Consistency

Even if you have done everything right, sometimes your frosting may not be the consistency you are looking for. Hopefully you will find a solution here to a possible problem if one arises!

Frosting is Too Thin or Soft

If your frosting is too thin you have two choices. The first is to refrigerate it for at least 20 minutes and then if that isn't enough another 20 minutes might be necessary.

Your other alternative is to add in more icing or powdered sugar until the frosting is the thickness you are looking for. I usually skip putting the frosting into the fridge and just add more icing or powdered sugar.

Frosting is Too Thick or Firm

If your find your frosting is too firm or thick, even at room temperature, slowly add in a little milk or cream to thin it out. You should aim to add in 1 tablespoon or so at a time and remember that milk is more watery than cream and you will need to use less!

Best Chocolate Stuffed Cupcake Recipe

As I mentioned, I rotate the way I make these Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Strawberry Buttercream Cupcakes depending on when and who I need them for.

I have included three different types of frosting that are wonderful on this chocolate cupcake recipe. Generally, I only use the Nutella Frosting when I do not stuff the cupcakes with Nutella, except for when my friend's son comes over.

I always do my best to make him a few cupcakes with Nutella stuffing and Nutella frosting with a strawberry stuck right inside the frosting. He just loves them and seeing his face light up when he sees this "strawberry" cupcakes recipe is quite a sight to see!

Frankly, that's what makes it all worth it! I even love that he calls these cupcakes his favorite strawberry cupcakes recipe EVER! He hasn't even lived 10 years yet! ?

Regardless, these aren't strawberry cupcakes per se but they will always be to the both of us!  That being said, if you are looking for the perfect strawberry cupcake recipe you still might want to consider giving these a try!

Also, please remember that the frosting recipes are a guideline to make your frosting as you would like it. You need to taste your recipes as you go.

For example, in the Strawberry Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting, I cannot remember ever using granulated sugar in my frosting but my friend Julie always includes it and thinks I am crazy not to.

I figure there is already enough sugar in it and I can't taste the difference but she can and maybe you will too.  It is true that sometimes, depending on the time of year, strawberries are sweeter than other times. Maybe the sugar helps with that?

All I suggest is to make the frosting without the sugar, taste it and see if you think it needs it. If you think it does, add it. I would love to hear in the comments whether you think the sugar is necessary or not.

Ingredients in Easy Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

• flour
• sugar (add ½ cup more for a sweeter flavor, but the strawberry buttercream is very sweet)
• cocoa powder
• baking soda
• baking powder
• pinch of salt
• vegetable oil
• eggs
• milk
• water
• Nutella *optional if you want a stuffed center

Nutella Buttercream Frosting

• butter
• powdered or icing sugar
• Nutella
• whipping or heavy cream, if desired or required to thin

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

• butter
• fresh strawberries
• powdered or icing sugar
• whipping or heavy cream, if desired or required to thin

Strawberry Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

• powdered or icing sugar
• cream cheese
• butter
• fresh strawberries
• whipping or heavy cream, if desired or required to thin
• vanilla (optional)
• sugar (optional)

How to make the Best Cupcake with Filling Inside

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

Beat in vegetable oil, eggs, milk, and water until smooth.

Spoon batter into a lined cupcake tin, only filling ⅔ of the way full. Bake for 20-23 minutes at 350 degrees, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Once cooked, set out to cool completely, then with a piping bag, pipe Nutella directly into the center of your cupcakes through the top. Don’t add too much, you should have just a bit inside. ***You don’t have to stuff them - they are great without the Nutella center also!***

When making the frosting, if you choose a buttercream frosting, throw the butter into a big bowl.  Using a handheld mixer, start to beat the butter (if using cream cheese, add it at this point, if not then just continue).

Next, add the powdered or icing sugar and beat with butter, and cream cheese if using until smooth. Lastly, add drained strawberries or Nutella, and vanilla or sugar and beat until fluffy. Add heavy or whipping cream to thin, if desired or required.

Refrigerate for 15 minutes, and pipe onto cooled cupcakes with any tip you would like. (I used a star tip).

Enjoy!

How do you store Nutella Filled Cupcakes?

You want to cover these chocolate filled cupcakes so they don't dry out in the refrigerator being exposed to air. As usual, I have a couple suggestions for you to consider.

Your first option is to use toothpicks and loosely cover your cupcakes with plastic wrap. The toothpicks can assist in making sure that you don't make a mess of your cupcakes!

The second option is to use an airtight cake container, or equivalent, to store your cupcakes in your fridge. At least with this method you don't have to give up any shelf space inside your fridge and your cupcakes will generally be protected from acquiring any unwanted damage.

Before serving, take the chocolate filled cupcakes out of your refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for an hour or so. This allows the cupcakes to get closer to room temperature and taste better when being eaten.

How long do Cupcakes last in your fridge?

Unstuffed Cupcakes

If you did not stuff your cupcakes with Nutella, or anything else, they will last up to 5 days if stored properly, in an air tight container.

Stuffed Cupcakes

If you end up with leftovers please store them in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 2 days (including the day you made them).

Can Stuffed Cupcakes be made in advance?

Unfortunately, I have to mention, if you fill the chocolate cupcakes with Nutella stuffed inside them the middle of the cupcake doesn't keep well and the cupcake will eventually become soggy inside.

You can make them the day before but I wouldn't make them any earlier than that.

If you are making this strawberry cupcakes recipe without any filling, you can keep them on the counter for up to 2 days.  They will last 5 days in the fridge without frosting or stuffing and only up to 2 days (including the day that you make them) in the fridge with the frosting or stuffing..as long as they're in an airtight container.

Can you freeze Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes?

No, it is not recommended that you freeze the Nutella stuffed chocolate cupcakes.  You can, however, freeze the cupcakes if they are plain, without the Nutella stuffing.

The frosting can be frozen for up to 3 months but it is better fresh.  You can though, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You will need to bring your frosting to room temperature if it’s too hard to spread after removing it from the fridge.

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Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes Video