13 Best Nutella Cupcake Recipes

Nutella cupcakes are basically happiness in cupcake form. The hazelnut chocolate spread makes everything better, whether it’s in the batter, filling, or frosting. These 13 recipes give you tons of ways to use Nutella in cupcakes from simple swirls to fancy filled versions. Most of these are pretty easy to make since Nutella does most of the flavor work for you. Perfect for birthday parties, bake sales, or just when you need something sweet.

Classic Nutella Buttercream Cupcakes

These have a simple vanilla or chocolate cupcake base topped with fluffy Nutella buttercream. The frosting is just butter, powdered sugar, and Nutella whipped together until light and creamy. Some recipes warm the Nutella slightly to make it easier to mix in. The key is getting the right ratio so the frosting isn’t too sweet or too thick. These are perfect when you want classic cupcakes with that amazing Nutella flavor. Always a crowd-pleaser at parties. Get the recipe here.

Nutella-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes

These have a surprise inside – a spoonful of Nutella in the center that stays gooey after baking. You bake the cupcakes about halfway, then add a dollop of Nutella and finish baking. Some recipes use a cupcake corer to hollow out cooled cupcakes and fill them instead. Either way you get that amazing molten Nutella center when you bite in. The contrast between the chocolate cake and creamy filling is what makes these special. Kids go absolutely crazy for these. Get the recipe here.

Nutella Swirl Vanilla Cupcakes

These start with vanilla cupcake batter and you swirl Nutella through it before baking. You just drop spoonfuls of Nutella on top of the batter and use a toothpick to create pretty swirl patterns. The Nutella stays in ribbons throughout the cupcake which looks cool when you cut them. The vanilla base lets the Nutella flavor really shine. These are less chocolate-heavy than some Nutella cupcakes which makes them good for people who want Nutella flavor without being overwhelmed. Get the recipe here.

Double Chocolate Nutella Cupcakes

These are for serious chocolate lovers – chocolate cupcakes with Nutella mixed into the batter AND Nutella frosting on top. Some recipes also add chocolate chips for triple chocolate action. The result is super rich and indulgent. The Nutella in the batter makes them extra moist and fudgy. These are definitely special occasion cupcakes since they’re so rich. Perfect for chocolate addicts or when you really want to impress someone. Get the recipe here.

Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting Cupcakes

The cream cheese in the frosting balances the sweetness of the Nutella and makes it less cloying. It also gives the frosting a nice tang that works really well with the hazelnut flavor. The texture is creamier and less sweet than regular Nutella buttercream. Some recipes add a bit of vanilla or even a splash of Bailey’s to make it extra fancy. These are good for people who find regular Nutella frosting too sweet. Get the recipe here.

Banana Nutella Cupcakes

The combo of banana and Nutella is always amazing – like a sophisticated version of peanut butter and banana. These usually have banana in the cupcake batter and Nutella frosting on top, though some do it the other way around. Ripe bananas make the cupcakes super moist and add natural sweetness. The flavors work so well together that even people who don’t usually like banana stuff will eat these. Great way to use up brown bananas. Get the recipe here.

Nutella Ganache-Topped Cupcakes

Instead of frosting, these are topped with smooth Nutella ganache made by heating cream and mixing it with Nutella. The ganache is shinier and more elegant-looking than regular frosting. It’s also easier to make since you don’t need to whip anything. Some recipes dip the cupcakes upside down into the ganache for perfect coverage. These look really professional and fancy but are actually simpler than frosted cupcakes. Perfect when you want something that looks impressive. Get the recipe here.

Strawberry Nutella Cupcakes

The fresh strawberry flavor works surprisingly well with Nutella. Some recipes have strawberry cupcakes with Nutella frosting while others do chocolate cupcakes with strawberry-Nutella swirl frosting. Fresh diced strawberries in the batter add little bursts of fruity flavor. The combo tastes kinda like those chocolate-covered strawberries but in cupcake form. These are pretty with the pink and brown colors and taste fresh and special. Get the recipe here.

Nutella Lava Cupcakes

These are like those molten chocolate cakes but with Nutella instead. You fill the cupcake cups partway with batter, add a chunk of frozen Nutella (or a Nutella-filled truffle), then cover with more batter. When you cut into them, the melted Nutella flows out like lava. The trick is not overbaking them so the center stays molten. These need to be served warm right after baking for the full effect. Super impressive for dinner parties. Get the recipe here.

Peanut Butter Nutella Cupcakes

Combining peanut butter and Nutella is genius since they’re both nut spreads but taste different enough to be interesting together. Some recipes have peanut butter cupcakes with Nutella frosting while others swirl both into vanilla cupcakes. The salty-sweet combo is really good. These are especially popular with kids who love both flavors. You can also do half peanut butter frosting and half Nutella frosting on top which looks cool. Get the recipe here.

Nutella Cheesecake Cupcakes

These combine two desserts in one – they have a cheesecake-like filling with Nutella swirled through it on top of a cupcake base. The filling is made with cream cheese, eggs, and Nutella that bakes up creamy but firm. Some recipes do a chocolate cookie crumb crust on the bottom like real cheesecake. These are richer and denser than regular cupcakes but so good. Perfect for special occasions when you want something really indulgent. Get the recipe here.

Salted Caramel Nutella Cupcakes

The combo of salted caramel and Nutella is amazing – the salt cuts through the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop more. Some recipes have caramel in the cupcake with Nutella frosting while others do Nutella cupcakes with salted caramel frosting or filling. A sprinkle of sea salt on top makes them look fancy and taste even better. These hit all the flavor notes – sweet, salty, nutty, and chocolatey. Very trendy flavor combo that actually tastes great. Get the recipe here.

Espresso Nutella Cupcakes

Adding espresso or strong coffee to Nutella cupcakes makes the chocolate flavor deeper and more grown-up. The coffee doesn’t make them taste like coffee – it just enhances the chocolate and hazelnut flavors. Some recipes use espresso powder in the batter and Nutella frosting while others do coffee-flavored frosting. These are less sweet than most Nutella cupcakes which makes them good for adults. Perfect with a cup of actual coffee for an afternoon treat that’s not too kiddy. Get the recipe here.