Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Cupcakes You’ll Love: Top 3 Tips
Let’s talk about chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes, because honestly? This easy chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes recipe is about to change your dessert game forever. You know that feeling when you want something ridiculously chocolatey and fancy-looking but don’t wanna spend your entire weekend in the kitchen? Yeah, these best chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes are about to be your new best friend.
I’m talking rich chocolate cake stuffed with gooey hazelnut ganache and topped with buttercream that’ll make you question why you ever bought store-bought frosting. Trust me on this chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes recipe – it’s pure magic!
These chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes are like if a Ferrero Rocher and a cupcake had the most delicious baby ever. And the best part? They look way more complicated than they actually are, so you’ll totally look like a baking genius with these easy chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes.

Table of Contents
What You’ll Need for These Amazing Treats (Don’t Panic!)

For the Cupcakes
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup regular sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed down like you mean it)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp hazelnut extract (optional)
- ½ cup buttermilk
For Garnish
- 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped up
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Nutella (the secret to amazing chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes!)
For the Chocolate Hazelnut Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup butter, softened (leave it out for a bit!)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup more Nutella (because these chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes deserve it!)
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
To Make Your Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Cupcakes Look Amazing
- 12 chocolate hazelnut truffles (store-bought is totally fine)
- ½ cup chopped roasted hazelnuts
Substitutions
Can’t find buttermilk for your chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes? Just mix ½ tbsp lemon juice with ½ cup regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes – boom, homemade buttermilk! Need your easy chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes dairy-free? Almond milk works great. Want gluten-free chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes? Swap the flour for a GF blend. No hazelnut spread? Almond butter makes pretty awesome chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes too!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Start Right
Crank your oven to 350°F and line your muffin tin. Your chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes journey begins now!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together all your dry ingredients in a bowl. Set it aside and resist the urge to eat the cocoa powder (we’ve all been there when making chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes).
Step 3: Create the Wet Base
In a big bowl, whisk together eggs, both sugars, oil, vanilla, and hazelnut extract until it’s smooth and gorgeous – perfect for chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes.
Step 4: Add the Buttermilk
Pour it in and whisk until everything’s happy together. This is what keeps your chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes super moist!
Step 5: Complete Your Batter
Slowly add your dry ingredients to the wet ones. Mix until JUST combined – don’t go crazy here or you’ll end up with tough chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes, and nobody wants that.
Step 6: Bake These Beauties
Fill your liners about ⅔ full and bake for 18-20 minutes. Start checking at 18 – nobody likes dry chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes! They’re done when a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 7: Make the Ganache Magic
Chop your chocolate and put it in a bowl with the Nutella. Heat your cream until it’s just about to bubble, then pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for a minute (hardest part of the whole chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes recipe), then whisk until it’s silky smooth. This ganache is what makes these the best chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes ever!
Step 8: Create Perfect Buttercream
Beat that softened butter until it’s fluffy. Slowly add the powdered sugar, then beat in the Nutella, milk, and vanilla until it’s perfect for your chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes.
Step 9: Assembly Time
Here’s where your chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes get fancy! Core out the center of each cooled cupcake. Pipe that ganache right into the center of your chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes. Then pipe your buttercream on top in pretty swirls. Top each chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcake with a truffle and sprinkle some chopped hazelnuts!

Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Making the best chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes means following these key tips:
- Seriously, don’t overbake your cupcakes! Check at 18 minutes.
- Toast your hazelnuts first for amazing hazelnut flavor.
- This easy chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes recipe works great as minis too!
- Make the ganache a day ahead for stress-free chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes.
Storage Tips for Your Treats
Keep these cupcakes in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Just let your chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes come to room temperature before serving. You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months if you’re planning your chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes ahead.
Serving Your Amazing Creation

These chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes are perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just because it’s Tuesday and you deserve amazing chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes. This easy chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes recipe pairs perfectly with:
- Hot coffee (the chocolate-coffee combo with chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes)
- Cold milk
- Fresh berries for color contrast
- A drizzle of caramel if you want extra decadent chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes
FAQ About This Recipe
Can I make gluten-free chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes? Yep! Just swap the flour for a GF blend in this chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes recipe.
What if I don’t have buttermilk for my chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes? Mix ½ tbsp lemon juice with ½ cup milk for your easy chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes!
Can I use different nut butter in these chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes? Absolutely! This chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes recipe works with almond or peanut butter too.
Why This Easy Recipe Works
These chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes are basically edible happiness. This chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes recipe creates the best chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes because they look super impressive but are totally doable, even if you’re not a baking pro. The combo of moist chocolate cake, gooey center, and creamy frosting makes these the best chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes you’ll ever taste.
Try this easy chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes recipe once, and I guarantee these chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes will become your go-to show-off dessert. These chocolate hazelnut truffle cupcakes are proof that the best things in life are chocolate and hazelnut combined!