A hybrid brownie/cupcake with chopped Diamond hazelnuts throughout is topped with a luscious chocolate hazelnut buttercream.
This post has been sponsored by Diamond Nuts.
I often have food cravings. It’s an occupational hazard when you deal with food all day long. But even though I get cravings, they aren’t usually the “I need this right this very minute or I will go crazy” kind of cravings.
But the other day, I wanted brownies. I really wanted brownies.
But I felt like baking, and well – with brownies, it’s just stir and dump and bake. I wanted something more than that.
Enter brownie cupcakes. Ok, so these aren’t a whole lot more than stir and dump and bake, but at least you get to pipe on some pretty frosting.
These are a hybrid of a cupcake and a brownie, so you get the best of both worlds. They are denser than cupcakes, but not quite as dense as a brownie. It’s the perfect compromise for when you can’t decide between cupcakes and brownies. Fold in some Diamond hazelnuts for a little bit of crunch, and it’s a little bit of chocolate bliss.
One thing is for sure, though. This buttercream – WOW. This recipe makes enough for you to pipe a generous amount on each cupcake, plus enough to squeeze some directly into your mouth. Not that I would know, or anything…
Hazelnut Brownie Cupcakes with Hazelnut Buttercream
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup chopped Diamond hazelnuts
For the Buttercream:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- milk as needed
- chopped Diamond hazelnuts for topping
Instructions
To make the cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners.
- In a microwave safe bowl (or in a small saucepan over medium heat), melt the chocolate chips and butter together.
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and the sugar. Stir in the chocolate mixture and the vanilla. Fold in the flour and then the hazelnuts.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the 12 muffin tins. Bake in the preheated oven until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool completely.
To make the buttercream:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and hazelnut spread together until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar, vanilla and salt and continue to beat until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Add milk as needed to thin out the buttercream to reach your desired consistency.
- Pipe the buttercream onto the cupcakes and top with chopped hazelnuts.
Other Brownie Favorites:
Around the Web:
Decadent Frosted Brownies from Dine and Dish
Triple Chocolate Brownies from Completely Delicious
Sinfully Rich Brownies from Sweet Treats and More
I am in a working relationship with Diamond Nuts, and this post has been sponsored. I’m so glad to be able to work with companies and organizations that I truly believe in. Thank you for supporting them, too.
Laura@ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
Yum! I’m a huge fan of dense, chocolaty baked goods!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
That hazelnut buttercream looks irresistible!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Gorgeous cupcakes! Love the cupcake brownie hybrid!
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
Beautiful cupcakes, beautiful frosting, beautiful photos! I want one for breakfast. Love chocolate/hazelnut!
Jennifer @ Mother Thyme says
I could go for one of these right now with a tall glass of milk! Yum!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen says
I can’t stop drooling over these photos! I want, now! 🙂
Joanne says
Hazelnuts are definitely my favorite nut to pair with chocolate! These cupcakes would satisfy any and all of my sweet tooth cravings!
Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts says
Brownie cupcakes??? LOVE! Definitely making these this weekend!!
Pati Clark says
One word !!! YUM!!!!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
These cupcakes look amazing! Chocolate + hazelnut is always a winner!
Anna @ Garnish with Lemon says
Brownie cupcakes? Yes. Just Yes.
Rebecca @ Dorm Room Baker says
Brownies are probably the only chocolate dessert I’m absolutely in love with. There’s something about that fudgy texture that really gets me. Now combine that with a cupcake and I think I’m in love. Also, I’m definitely going to be piping some of that frosting directly into my mouth!
Chels R. says
Oh my gosh-so good! We just made some brownie cupcakes at my cooking class the other night and I’m going to tweak the recipe for St. Patty’s Day…just a tad. Can’t wait! Love me a chocolate brownie cupcake!
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
YUM! These brownie cupcakes look amazing and I love hazelnut! I will be trying these cupcakes soon, thanks for sharing! Pinned 🙂
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Gorgeous!! They look so moist and flavorful 🙂
Belinda@themoonblushbaker says
Anything with hazelnut is got to be rocking it! so cute!