Nutella cupcakes are often made by swirling Nutella into the batter to create a marbled look.
Nutella® cupcakes are small dessert sweets made or glazed with Nutella® hazelnut paste. This spread originated in Italy in the 1940s, but is now popular in many parts of the world. Its smooth consistency makes it an easy addition to cupcake batter as it mixes and bakes evenly. Cooks can also use it as a dressing, on its own or mixed into an existing recipe.
There are many different types of Nutella® cupcakes. Usually the simplest preparation is to add the hazelnut spread to a ready-made cupcake batter. Cupcake preparation often requires cooks to prepare a sweet cake batter and then pour it into individual baking sheets or specialty baking sheets designed specifically for cupcakes or muffins.
Nutella® can be easily scooped up and incorporated into an existing dough. It is sometimes used as a substitute for sugar or oil, but not always. However, the more Nutella® is used, the more careful the cook must be. Most doughs require a certain ratio of wet to dry ingredients in order for them to set properly during baking. Substantial amounts of Nutella® may require the addition of more flour to keep the consistency of the cake stable.
Creating marble-style Nutella® cupcakes is one of the most popular variations. Here, cooks take a basic recipe for yellow cake or vanilla-flavored cake and wrap Nutella® at the last minute. It is usually stirred into the batter to create a swirl before being poured into each cupcake pan. The end results have a unique marbled look, where the yellow of the cake contrasts with the dark brown Nutella® bow.
The spread is also a common supplement for chocolate-based cupcakes. Hazelnut is the predominant flavor of the spread, but it also contains cocoa. Baking cupcakes with a combination of chocolate batter and Nutella® spread can be a great way to add some interest and nutty flavor to a regular chocolate cupcake.
Creative cooks can also try filling the cupcakes with the batter. Filled Nutella® cupcakes are often more complicated, but often more unique. The filling process usually begins with regular cupcakes of any variety; homemade or store-bought cupcakes will work. Cooks will then fill a piping bag or small baking syringe with Nutella®, pierce a hole in the cupcake and inject the batter into the center of the cupcake. Filled cupcakes usually need to be frozen to cover the hole.
Decorating cupcakes with the paste is another way to make Nutella® cupcakes. The quickest and easiest topping method involves little more than spreading the batter over the desserts. Mixing other frosting elements into Nutella® can make it look more shiny and flawless.
There really are no limits when it comes to Nutella® cupcakes. A variety of different treats, from gourmet cupcakes to holiday cupcakes, can contain the paste in one form or another. Creativity and a bit of pastry experience are usually all it takes to be successful.