Nutella Bueno Cupcakes

16/07/2017 by thebakingexplorer 49 Comments

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You are probably familiar with the deliciousness of Nutella, and the world of epic dessert possibilities that have been created using this yummy spread. Whilst I wouldn't turn any of these down, I have to say my favourite way to enjoy Nutella is simply in buttercream form on top of a light sponge. These Nutella Bueno Cupcakes deliver on both fronts and there's also the extra treat of a mini Bueno piece on top. The cake sponge is lovely and light, with delicious chocolate flavour. The Nutella buttercream is silky, creamy and has an intense Nutella flavour! I've made these cupcakes many times for bake sales and they always sell out!

Ingredient Tips & Equipment Information

Make sure all your ingredients (particularly the butter and eggs) are at room temperature before you start baking.
I used a baking spread for the cupcakes and unsalted butter for the buttercream.
You can use any cocoa powder for the cupcakes, of course the better quality it is, the better flavour it will have. Also do make sure you are using cocoa powder and not a hot chocolate powder.
I decorated the cupcakes with a piece of Kinder Bueno, you could drizzle them with melted Nutella, add a sprinkle of hazelnuts, a Ferrero Rocher, however you want.
Although I provide cup measurements, I highly recommend weighing your ingredients out using digital kitchen scales*. It is the most accurate way to measure ingredients and will ensure the best results. Digital scales are very low cost and can be purchased for around £12 ($16.50) .
For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons* and not the type of spoons you eat with. Again this will ensure accuracy and provide the best results.

The photos for this post were updated in March 2021.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to make Nutella Bueno Cupcakes

Mix the butter and caster sugar together. Then add the eggs and mix them in, then mix in the cocoa powder, baking powder and self raising flour.

Divide the mixture between the cupcake cases, and bake for 20-25 minutes.

To make the Nutella buttercream, mix the butter on it's own, then add Nutella, milk and icing sugar and mix until smooth. Put it into a piping bag fitted with a nozzle of your choice and pipe it onto the cupcakes. Top them with Kinder Bueno pieces and chocolate strand sprinkles.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

Can these cupcakes be made with plain or all purpose flour?

Self raising flour, which is very commonly used in the UK where I am based, already contains a raising agent and a little salt too. Therefore if you want to swap it for plain or all purpose flour, you will need to add some additional baking powder and also a little salt if you like. Some people like to add salt to cake recipes and some don't, so I'll leave that up to you as it won't affect the bake. The general advice is to add 2 teaspoons baking powder (a measuring teaspoon, not the kind you stir your coffee with) per every 200g plain or all purpose flour. So for this recipe you'd need to add 1 + ½ teaspoons additional baking powder. Please note, I have not tested this recipe using plain or all purpose flour.

How long do the Nutella Bueno Cupcakes keep for and can they be frozen?

The cupcakes will keep in an airtight container for 3 days in a cool place. You can freeze the sponges either alone, or decorated. Once the sponges are fully cool, wrap them well with cling film or put them in an airtight container. You can freeze the buttercream on it’s own in a tub, or you can decorate the cupcakes and freeze them assembled. To do this and avoid damage to the decoration, freeze them in an airtight container. Or let them freeze solid on a board or plate, then wrap in cling film. Remove the cling film when you take them out to defrost it, if you don’t it could damage the appearance of the decoration as it defrosts and softens.

Can this recipe be made into a large cake?

Yes! Have a look at my Nutella Cake recipe for ingredient amounts and instructions.

Can these cupcakes be made gluten free?

Yes! For gluten free you can replace the self raising flour with a gluten free self raising flour blend. If you only have a gluten free plain flour blend, you will need to add additional baking powder. The general advice is to add 2 tsp baking powder per 200g flour, so for this recipe you'd need to add 1 + ½ teaspoons additional baking powder. You may also like to add ¼ tsp xanthan gum for better texture. Nutella is gluten free, but you will have to omit the Kinder Buenos as they are not gluten free. You can replace the Kinder Buenos with Schar Meltos - which are basically the same! Please do check the labels for everything you use to make the cupcakes if you are serving it to someone with an allergy or intolerance.

Can these cupcakes be made dairy free?

For a dairy free version, use a dairy free baking spread or butter alternative and dairy free milk for the cupcakes and the buttercream. For the buttercream I recommend using a block butter alternative, such as Flora Plant or the Stork Baking Block, for best results. You will also need to use a dairy free alternative to Nutella, and omit the Kinder Buenos decoration. Please do check the labels for everything you use to make the cupcakes if you are serving it to someone with an allergy or intolerance.

Is butter or a baking spread better for cupcakes?

I prefer to use a baking spread (my preferred brand is Stork) for cupcake and cake sponges. I find that they are easier to use and they make the sponge rise more. You can also use most baking spread straight from the fridge, which is handy during a last minute baking emergency!

Should you use salted or unsalted butter for cupcakes?

I always use unsalted butter and baking spread for baking. This is because if you want to add salt to your recipe, you then have complete control of the salt level. Lots of people add salt to enhance the flavour of baked goods, so when you do this you want to know exactly how much you're adding. I personally prefer not to add salt to cakes and cupcakes. However, using a salted butter or baking spread will not affect the bake negatively and won't make it taste salty.

What are the best cupcake cases to use?

Good quality cupcake cases that are made from high strength and greaseproof paper will improve the overall appearance of your cupcakes. They will also help to prevent the cases from peeling. My favourite brand is Culpitt, which you can get via Amazon and also several online cake decorating retailers.

Do you need an electric mixer to make this recipe?

While you can absolutely make this recipe with a wooden spoon and some elbow grease, I do recommend using an electric mixer for the best results. The cupcakes will be lighter and fluffier when made with an electric mixer. The buttercream will also be smoother. You don't have to use an expensive stand mixer either, you can get electric hand whisks for as little as £10!

Troubleshooting

My number one tip for getting the best results is to read through this whole page of tips and recommendations before starting, and follow the recipe exactly. If you have any questions about this recipe, or if something went wrong and you need help, please use the comment form below and I will get back to you. You can also get in touch with me on my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!

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