For the Cupcakes:
- 2 Eggs, the cornerstone of any cake's structure
- 1 cup of Granulated Sugar, fine and sweet
- 1 ½ cups of Flour, sifted to airy perfection
- 1 ½ teaspoons of Baking Powder, for a gentle rise
- 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda, for a tender crumb
- ⅓ cup of Cocoa Powder, rich and robust
- ½ teaspoon of Kosher Salt, a subtle touch to balance sweetness
- ⅓ cup of Nutella, for a hazelnut chocolate swirl
- ⅓ cup of Vegetable Oil, for a moist texture
- 1 cup of Hot Coffee, to deepen the chocolate flavor
- 2 teaspoons of Vanilla Extract, a fragrant embrace
For the Nutella Buttercream:
- 230 grams of Butter, softened to a pliable silkiness
- 1 ½ cups of Powdered Sugar, the sweetness sifted
- ⅓ cup of Cocoa Powder, for a double chocolate note
- 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract, an aromatic whisper
- ¼ teaspoon of Kosher Salt, to heighten the flavors
- ½ cup of Nutella, the star of this sweet show
- ⅓ cup of Heavy Cream, whipped to a luxurious texture
Baking the Delights:
- Begin by preheating your oven, lining a cupcake pan with whimsical liners.
- Whisk together the dry cupcake ingredients, a melody of dry textures.
- Blend the Nutella, oil, vanilla, and eggs until they’re just shy of fully combined, then welcome the hot coffee with a final mix.
- Fill the liners using an ice cream scoop for perfect portions, and bake until they pass the toothpick test.
- Once baked, allow the cupcakes to cool, a pause that’s essential before adorning with frosting.
Creating the Nutella Buttercream:
- Whip the softened butter until it's light and airy.
- Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar and cocoa, a cloud of sweetness.
- Swirl in the Nutella, and then the heavy cream, until the mixture is irresistibly smooth.
Assembling with Care:
- When the cupcakes have cooled, hollow out a small heart in the center of each.
- Fill the hearts with pure Nutella love, a secret surprise within.
- Pipe a generous swirl of the Nutella buttercream on top, a starry finish.
Baker’s Notes for Perfection:
- The coffee is a silent partner; it won't stand out but will amplify the chocolate notes.
- Room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly for a smooth batter.
- Avoid overmixing to maintain the cupcakes' delicate crumb.
- Spoon and level your flour for precision and tenderness.
- Allow the cupcakes a full cool down so the buttercream sits proudly atop.
- Freshness in your leaveners is crucial; they're the hidden heroes of texture.
Serve these Nutella buttercream cupcakes as a testament to your baking finesse, each bite revealing a tender crumb, a heart of Nutella, and a swirl of buttery chocolate. Patience in preparation leads to the sweetest rewards!