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Nutella Crunch Cupcakes

cake· dessert· Valentine's Day

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Nutella Crunch Cupcakes – A super moist chocolate cupcake, dipped in creamy Nutella hazelnut spread, and crunchy chocolate pieces. The perfect combination of textures that will satisfy any sweet tooth!

Nutella Crunch Cupcake with the cupcake paper peeled offI recently had a revelation – I haven’t make cupcakes in an extremely long time. Months? No wait, I think it’s been years!! I’ve been focused on creating new desserts that I hadn’t made before that I ignored one of most classic desserts that a baker can make.

As a result, I was determined to try out a new cupcake recipe that would stand up to all unique desserts that I’ve showcased this year, including these whoopie pies, this tres leches, and these marshmallow bites. But how??

Answer: Nutella!

Nutella is the answer to most of life’s problem so it was a no-brainer for this cupcake. But I also added a little extra crunch to add another layer of texture to these cupcakes. If there’s one thing you need to know about me is that I love multiple textures in my food. Creamy, gooey, crunchy all in one dessert?! Yes, please!

So say hello to Nutella Crunch Cupcakes!

Nutella Crunch Cupcakes both topped and plain Top view of Nutella Crunch Cupcakes Nutella Crunch Cupcakes with nutella and crisped rice on top

When it comes to chocolate cake, more often than not the cake is dense and dry. But not this recipe! Thanks to a super wet batter, these cupcakes are insanely moist.

After the cupcakes cool down, they’re then dipped in luscious Nutella and finished with a layer of crispy chocolate crumbles. Look at how they glisten! I used Buncha Crunch for these but you can use Crispy M&Ms or chopped Kit-Kats or even chopped Crunch bars to help you achieve the bonus crunch.

Chocolate cupcake on a cooling rack Frosted Chocolate cupcake Dipping the cupcake into a bowl of buncha crunch

These cupcakes are insanely simple to make, mostly because the batter is made in one bowl. No need to keep the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls for this recipe!

Despite its simplicity, I still have a few tips to make sure you make zero mistakes on these babies. Here we go:

  1. Do NOT overfill the cupcakes! I suggest only filling about 2/3 full. I filled about 4/5 full for my test sample and it overflowed.
  2. Do not remove the cupcakes until they are completely done, which means a toothpick will come out completely clean when inserted. No crumbs should be present. Usually I don’t follow this rule because I like ultra-moist cupcakes but since this cake is really wet, they will sink if undercooked, even a little bit.
  3. Make sure the cupcakes are COMPLETELY cool before topping them. Since they’re super moist, they’re super delicate so if you dip them in Nutella before they have a chance to cool, the Nutella will act like a glue and rip off the top of the cupcake.
  4. Speaking of Nutella, it’s much easier to dip the cupcake when the Nutella is slightly melted. So I recommend melting in the microwave for 15 seconds before using.
  5. This recipe uses a cup to coffee in the batter to add depth to the chocolate cake. You’ll never even know the coffee is there, I SWEAR! You can slightly taste it in the batter before baking, but once it’s baked, there’s not even a hint of coffee flavor. But instead, you taste a yummy, chocolatey cupcake. So don’t exclude this coffee from your recipe!

There you go – that’s all there is to it! These cupcakes were a HUGE hit in our home and wit friends so I just KNOW you’re gonna love them too. Enjoy!!

Nutella Crunch Cupcakes after being frosted and topped

Here are all the kitchen tools and serveware that I used in today’s recipe. For each item sold below, I make a small commission. I only recommend items that I own and love so you can trust that each recommendation is tried and true. Thank you for supporting CPA!

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Print Recipe

Nutella Crunch Cupcakes

A super moist chocolate cupcake, dipped in creamy Nutella hazelnut spread, and crunchy chocolate pieces. The perfect combination of textures that will satisfy any sweet tooth!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time17 mins
Total Time47 mins
Servings: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup brewed coffee warm
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup Nutella
  • 16 ounces crispy chocolate crumbles (I used Buncha Crunch)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake tin with paper liners. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Fit the stand mixer with whisk attachment and lower. Mix on low until dry ingredients are completely combined.
  • Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla. Mix until completely combined, about 2 minutes. The mixture will be runny. Scoop into prepared muffin tin, filling each cup 2/3 full. If you fill any higher, the cupcakes will overflow while baking.
  • Bake in preheat oven for 17 minutes or until toothpick comes out COMPLETELY clean, without any crumbs. Remove from oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Let cupcakes cool completely before topping them.
  • Place Nutella in microwave safe bowl and microwave 15 seconds to thin it out a little bit. Stir with a spoon. Place crispy chocolate crumbles into a separate medium bowl. Dunk the top of a cooled cupcake into the Nutella and then into the crumbles. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.
  • Serve immediately or store for up to 2 days.

Notes

Chocolate cake recipe adapted from My Baking Addiction 

Pin for later:

Nutella Crunch Cupcakes photo collage

More chocolate treats that you’ll love:

Nutella Macarons

Plate of Nutella Macarons

Triple Chocolate Soft Baked Cookies

Stack of Triple Chocolate Soft Baked Cookies

Molten Chocolate Cake

Molten Chocolate Cake with chocolate filling spilling onto the plate

Comments

  1. Emma Davis says

    More than once I have caught myself thinking that the only pastries that I can never resist are chocolate cupcakes. Delicate mega chocolate cupcakes. An excellent dessert for any drink.

    Reply

  4. Cat says

    Mmmm this cupcake recipe looks so delicious! I’ll definitely be saving it to Pinterest and trying it sometime soon! Thanks for the inspo!

    Reply

  10. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    You’re right: no trouble can withstand a fabulous cupcake! I will keep this recipe on hand for when the time comes 🙂 I love how moist they look, and that you added coffee for an extra layer of flavor. YUM!

    Reply

    • Sharon says

      Thanks so much! The coffee is so perfect because it enhances the chocolate flavor but you wouldn’t even know it was there!

      Reply

  25. Brianna says

    Gosh, Nutella on anything is basically the greatest thing on Earth. Nutella and banana is my favorite combo, so I’d probably add some banana in the middle!

    Reply

    • Sharon says

      Oh man! You are missing out. It’s been a staple in my house since my dad used to make PB and Nutella sandwiches!

      Reply

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