I’m going to have to start out by saying that I have never really been a Nutella fan. Until we made these cupcakes, I really never understood what the fuss was about. I’d rather eat a peanut than a hazelnut. I’d rather have peanut butter and jam, than chocolate and hazelnuts. It was never in our house growing up as a kid, so I don’t think I ever really knew about it. But, when an Italian family becomes your family, you learn quickly about all things Italian. One of those things is hazelnut flavoured everything! I think I first tried a Ferraro Rocher at Paul’s mom’s house, and meh, didn’t really care for it. Apparently it had to be baked inside of a cupcake for me to really like it!
As far as Nutella went, I could never understand why bloggers were posting about it, drooling over it and giving it love I didn’t think it deserved. UNTIL I made this buttercream. This Nutella buttercream may be the absolute best thing I have ever tasted. No lie. It is rich, creamy and oozes smooth buttercream flavour. The hazelnut-chocolate taste is perfectly complimented by the sweetness of the sugar and saltiness of the butter. O.M.G. That’s how good it is. Good enough to talk in capitals.
The buttercream is one of those tastes that just the smallest amount will send you face first into the bowl. If you have strong willpower, I guarantee that it will be tested with this cupcake.