Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes

Simple sweet treats, these delicious chocolate hazelnut cupcakes are like Nutella in cupcake form!

Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes

Preparation time: 30 mins   Baking time 22-25 mins   Makes 12 cupcakes For the cupcakes:

• 150g butter, softened
• 150g caster sugar
• 3 eggs, large
• 150g self-raising flour
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 70g dark chocolate, melted
• 4 tbsp milk
• 50g chopped hazelnuts

For the frosting:

• 125g chocolate hazelnut spread
• 100g soft cream cheese
• 300g golden icing sugar
• 35g chopped hazelnuts

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C/160˚C fan/gas mark 4. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully combined, add a spoonful of flour along with each to prevent the mixture from curdling. Sift in the flour then baking powder and fold into the mixture until even.
2. Add to the mixture the melted chocolate, milk and chopped hazelnuts and stir well to combine.
3. Divide the mixture between 12 cupcake cases and bake in the oven for 22-25 mins until well risen and springy to the touch.
4. To make the frosting, beat together the chocolate hazelnut spread and the soft cream cheese until they are evenly combined. Sift in the golden icing sugar and beat well.
5. Pipe or spread over the tops of the cooled cupcakes with a palette knife and scatter with the remaining chopped hazelnuts. Serve.

 

TIP:

* When using soft cream cheese in a recipe it is best to let it come up to room temperature first as this helps when combining it with other ingredients.