Ferrero Rocher Stuffed Cupcakes

Introduction & Inspiration

This recipe, “Ferrero Rocher Stuffed Cupcakes,” is a luxurious and indulgent treat that combines the rich flavors of devil’s food cake, Nutella buttercream frosting, and the iconic Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

The inspiration comes from a love for Ferrero Rocher, with their combination of hazelnut, chocolate, and wafer, and a desire to create a cupcake that captures that unique flavor and texture profile.

These cupcakes feature a devil’s food cake base (made with a box mix for convenience), a hidden Ferrero Rocher chocolate inside each cupcake, and a creamy Nutella buttercream frosting, garnished with chopped Ferrero Rocher.

It’s a recipe that’s perfect for special occasions, birthdays, or any time you want to impress with a truly decadent and sophisticated dessert.

Nostalgic Appeal (with a Luxurious Twist)

These cupcakes tap into the nostalgic appeal of both chocolate cupcakes and Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

Devil’s food cake, with its rich chocolate flavor, is a classic comfort food.

Ferrero Rocher chocolates, with their elegant gold wrapping and unique combination of flavors and textures, are often associated with special occasions and gifting.

The combination of these two elements creates a cupcake that’s both familiar and luxurious, appealing to a wide range of tastes.

The hidden Ferrero Rocher inside each cupcake adds an element of surprise and delight, making them even more special.

Semi-Homemade Convenience

This recipe utilizes a boxed devil’s food cake mix as its base, making it a “semi-homemade” creation. This choice:

• Saves Time and Effort:
• Ensures Consistent Results:
• Makes the Recipe Accessible:

The homemade Nutella buttercream frosting adds a touch of that from-scratch goodness and allows for customization of flavor and texture.

This balance between convenience and homemade elements makes the recipe approachable and appealing to a wide range of bakers.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal is a rich, moist, and intensely chocolatey cupcake with a creamy, hazelnut-infused Nutella buttercream frosting and a burst of Ferrero Rocher flavor and texture in the center.

The devil’s food cake mix provides the deep chocolate base.

The stuffed Ferrero Rocher adds a combination of creamy hazelnut filling, crispy wafer, and milk chocolate.

The Nutella buttercream frosting contributes a rich, creamy, and hazelnut-chocolate flavor that complements the cake and the Ferrero Rocher perfectly.

The chopped Ferrero Rocher garnish adds an extra layer of flavor and texture, completing the experience.

It’s a flavor combination that’s designed to be decadent, sophisticated, and utterly irresistible for chocolate and hazelnut lovers.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s break down each ingredient:

For the Cupcakes:

• Devil’s Food Cake Mix (prepared according to package instructions): This provides the base for the cupcakes, offering a convenient and consistent chocolate cake.
• Ferrero Rocher Chocolates (unwrapped, divided): These are the star of the show, providing the surprise filling inside each cupcake and the garnish on top.

For the Nutella Buttercream Frosting:

• Butter (softened): This forms the base of the frosting, providing richness and a creamy texture.
• Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the frosting and helps to create a fluffy consistency.
• Nutella: This adds the signature hazelnut-chocolate flavor to the frosting.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: This enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a warm, aromatic note.
• Kosher Salt: This balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Heavy Cream (if needed): This adds moisture and helps to create a smooth and spreadable consistency in the frosting.

Essential Equipment

Here’s the equipment you’ll need:

• Muffin tin (standard 12-cup): For baking the cupcakes.
• Cupcake liners: To line the muffin tin and prevent sticking.
• Large mixing bowl: For preparing the cake batter and the frosting.
• Hand mixer (or stand mixer): For mixing the cake batter and whipping the frosting.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient proportions.
• Piping bag (optional): For a decorative look.
• Spatula: For frosting the cupcakes (if not using a piping bag).

That’s a fairly standard list of baking equipment.

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the ingredient list with precise measurements:

• 24 Reese’s miniatures, unwrapped, divided
• Devil’s food cake mix, prepared according to package instructions
• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• 2 Tbsp. heavy cream
• ¼ cup melted chocolate

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s walk through the process:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. Prepare Cake Mix: Prepare the devil’s food cake mix according to the package instructions.
3. Fill Liners and Add Ferrero Rocher: Fill each cupcake liner about one-quarter full with batter. Place a Ferrero Rocher chocolate in the center of each unbaked cupcake. Top each with more batter, so that the cupcakes are ¾ of the way full.
4. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the edge (avoiding the Ferrero Rocher center) comes out clean.
5. Cool: Let the cupcakes cool completely in the muffin tin.
6. Make Nutella Buttercream: Meanwhile, make the Nutella buttercream frosting. In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter and softened butter until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until evenly combined. Gradually add the heavy cream (if needed) and beat until smooth and creamy.
7. Frost and Garnish: When the cupcakes are cooled, pipe or spread the frosting onto the cupcakes. Top each cupcake with a chopped Ferrero Rocher, and then drizzle with melted chocolate.

Troubleshooting

Here are a few potential issues and solutions:

• Cupcakes Sinking: Overmixing, oven temperature and expired leavening agents can cause sinking.
• Cupcakes Too Dry: This can happen if you overbake them. Watch the cupcakes carefully.
• Frosting Too Stiff: Add more heavy cream, a tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
• Frosting Too Runny: Add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
• Ferrero Rocher Sinking: Place a small amount of batter down first, then the candy.

Tips and Variations

Here are some ways to customize this recipe:

• Different Cake Mix: Use a different flavor of cake mix, such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even a white or yellow cake mix for a contrasting flavor.
• Different Candy Filling: Use different candies for the filling, such as Rolos, mini peanut butter cups, or caramel-filled chocolates.
• Different Frosting Flavor: Add a different extract to the frosting, such as hazelnut, vanilla, or coffee.
• Add a Ganache Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate ganache over the frosted cupcakes for extra decadence.
• Make Mini Cupcakes: Use mini muffin tins and adjust the baking time accordingly.
• Skip the Stuffing: If you prefer, you can skip stuffing.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Ferrero Rocher Stuffed Cupcakes are perfect for:

• Special Occasions: They’re an elegant and decadent dessert for birthdays, holidays, or dinner parties.
• Chocolate and Hazelnut Lovers: They’re a dream come true for anyone who loves the combination of chocolate and hazelnut.
• Potlucks and Gatherings: They’re easy to transport and serve a crowd.
• Everyday Indulgence: They’re a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth any day of the week.

They pair well with coffee, tea, a glass of milk, or a dessert wine.

Nutritional Information

These cupcakes are a rich and indulgent treat, containing sugar and fat from the cake mix, butter, Nutella, powdered sugar, chocolate, and Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

The exact nutritional information will vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use.

It’s best to enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet. They are definitely not a health food!

Print

Recipe Summary and Q&A

Recipe Summary: Ferrero Rocher Stuffed Cupcakes are devil’s food cupcakes with a hidden Ferrero Rocher chocolate inside, topped with a creamy Nutella buttercream frosting and garnished with chopped Ferrero Rocher.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time? A: Yes, you can bake the cupcakes and make the frosting a day or two in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Assemble the cupcakes (stuff with Ferrero Rocher and frost) closer to the serving time.

Q: How long do they last? A: Stored in an airtight container, the cupcakes should stay fresh for up to 2-3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Q: Can I freeze them? A: You can freeze the unfrosted and unfilled cupcakes for up to 2-3 months. Wrap them tightly. Thaw them in the refrigerator before filling, frosting, and decorating. It’s not recommended to freeze the fully assembled cupcakes.

Q: Can I use a different type of frosting? A: Yes, you can use any type of frosting you like, such as chocolate buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or vanilla buttercream.

Q: Do I have to use Ferrero Rocher chocolates? A: No, you can use any type of chocolate-covered hazelnut candy you prefer, or even a different type of candy altogether.

The History of Ferrero Rocher

To continue expanding this article, let’s explore the history of Ferrero Rocher, the iconic chocolate that inspired these cupcakes.

Ferrero Rocher is a premium chocolate and hazelnut confection made by the Italian chocolatier Ferrero SpA.

It was introduced in 1982 and quickly became a global success.

Each Ferrero Rocher chocolate consists of a whole roasted hazelnut encased in a thin wafer shell filled with hazelnut cream, covered in milk chocolate and chopped hazelnuts.  

The chocolates are individually wrapped in gold foil, giving them a luxurious and elegant appearance.

Ferrero Rocher is often associated with special occasions and gifting, and it’s a popular treat around the world.

The company, Ferrero, is also known for other popular products, such as Nutella, Kinder Chocolate, and Tic Tac.

The Allure of Nutella

Nutella, a key ingredient in the frosting for these cupcakes, is a hazelnut-chocolate spread that has gained a worldwide following.

It was created in Italy in the 1940s by Pietro Ferrero (the same Ferrero who would later create Ferrero Rocher).

Originally called “Pasta Gianduja,” it was a solid block of hazelnut and chocolate paste, designed to be sliced and served on bread.

In 1964, Pietro’s son, Michele Ferrero, reformulated the product, making it spreadable and renaming it “Nutella.”

Nutella quickly became a popular spread in Europe and eventually around the world.

It’s known for its creamy texture, its intense hazelnut-chocolate flavor, and its versatility.

Nutella can be used as a spread on toast, pancakes, or waffles, as a filling for pastries, or as an ingredient in desserts, like our frosting.

The Art of Cupcake Decoration

While these cupcakes are delicious even without elaborate decoration, a few simple touches can elevate their appearance and make them even more special.

Here are a few tips for decorating cupcakes:

• Frosting: Use a piping bag and tip to create swirls, rosettes, or other designs with the frosting. Or, simply spread the frosting with a spatula for a more rustic look.
• Toppings: Sprinkle the frosted cupcakes with chopped nuts, sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or crushed cookies.
• Garnishes: Add fresh fruit, candies, or edible flowers for a final touch of elegance.
• Color: Use food coloring to tint the frosting to match a party theme or holiday.
• Presentation: Arrange the decorated cupcakes on a pretty platter or cake stand.

With these Ferrero Rocher Stuffed Cupcakes, the chopped Ferrero Rocher garnish and the drizzle of melted chocolate add both flavor and visual appeal, creating a truly decadent and impressive treat.

The Importance of Using Softened Butter

Softened butter is essential.

The Joy of Baking as a Gift

Baking and gifting homemade treats, like these Ferrero Rocher Stuffed Cupcakes, is a thoughtful and meaningful way to show someone you care.

The act of making something with your own hands and sharing it with others is a gesture of love and appreciation.

These cupcakes, with their decadent flavors and elegant presentation, are a perfect gift for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.

You can package them in a decorative box or tin, tie them with a ribbon, and add a personalized note to make the gift even more special.