Have you ever eaten a Ferrero Rocher? If so, you know the combination of toasted hazelnuts and chocolate is a crowd-pleaser. This Hazelnut Filled Cupcake recipe contains those complementary ingredients and throws in a bit of caramel sauce for added gooeyness!
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Why you will love this recipe
Filled cupcakes offer an unexpected surprise when bitten into. Additionally, filling cupcakes adds to the texture of what could otherwise be a boring cupcake. Crunchy hazelnuts, soft caramel and fudgy icing have made this cupcake recipe a best seller in my bakery.
The fudge icing which tops these cupcakes is a great recipe to add to your dessert repertoire. I use this recipe daily in the bakery for icing and filling cakes. My customers love this icing as it is not too sweet – nor is it bitter. A plus for me is it is easy to work with and pipes beautifully. Check out our video on how to make this icing.
Making the Hazelnut Praline
- If using whole hazelnuts, chop into smaller pieces (chop into approximately 5 pieces per hazelnut).
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the 2 tablespoons water and 66 grams (⅓ cup) granulated sugar.
- Stirring constantly, cook the water/sugar mixture until it starts to boil and begins to turn an amber color
- Immediately remove from the heat once the mixture turns amber and stir in the hazelnuts.
- Very carefully pour the praline mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet or Silpat - the mixture is extremely hot so please use caution and don't let the little ones do this. Let the praline cool completely.
- Chop the praline into small pieces and set aside for filling and topping the cupcakes.
Assemble cupcakes
This is the fun part of making these cupcakes. Just follow these simple steps:
- Place an apple corer in the middle of each cupcake, press down about halfway into the cupcake, twist and remove the core of the cupcake. You may also use a paring knife or small spoon and scoop out the middle.
- Fill the hollowed center of the cupcake halfway with caramel sauce (use a spoon or piping bag). Place chopped hazelnut praline in the hole to finish filling the center.
- Spread the fudge frosting over the cupcake or pipe onto the cupcake using a piping tip of your choice. Sprinkle each cupcake generously with the remainder of the chopped hazelnut praline.
Cupcake storage
Place cupcakes in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.
FAQs
Place an apple corer in the middle of each cupcake, press down about halfway into the cupcake, twist and remove the core of the cupcake. Or use a paring knife or small spoon and scoop out the middle. Place the cupcake filling into the hole making sure the filling reaches the bottom.
I hope you enjoy these hazelnut filled cupcakes as much as my family and friends do!
📋 Recipe
Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Cupcakes Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Stand Mixer or hand mixer (note - this recipe may also be stirred by hand)
- 1 Food Scale optional for more accurate measurements
- 1 Bowls, measuring cups and spoons
- Cupcake Pans (makes 24 cupcakes)
- 24 Cupcake Liners
- silicone baking mat or buttered baking pan
- Heavy Duty Saucepan
- Apple corer or knife to dig out center of cupcake
Ingredients
Hazelnut Praline
- 1 Cup Hazelnuts roasted
- ⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Water
Chocolate Cupcakes
- ¾ Cup Cocoa Powder
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Starch
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¾ Cup Vegetable or Canola Oil
- 4 Large Eggs Room temperature
- 1 ¼ Cup Brewed Coffee May substitute water
Fudge Icing
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- ¼ Cup Light Corn Syrup
- 12 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped into chunks
- 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, room temperature
Caramel
- ½ Cup Caramel Sauce, store bought or homemade Store bought or homemade
Instructions
Hazelnut Praline
- Prepare a sheet pan by lining with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Alternatively, lightly grease the pan with butter.
- If using whole hazelnuts, chop into smaller pieces (approximately 5 pieces for hazelnut).1 Cup Hazelnuts
- In a heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat, combine water and granulated sugar.2 Tablespoons Water, ⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar
- Stirring constantly, cook the water/sugar mixture until it starts to boil and begins to turn an amber color
- Immediately remove from the heat once the mixture turns an amber color and carefully stir in the hazelnuts.
- Very carefully pour the praline mixture onto prepared sheet pan. Let cool completely.
- Chop the praline into small pieces and set it aside. You’ll use it later to fill and top the cupcakes.
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350℉ (180℃)
- Line cupcake pans with liners.
- Combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch, salt, baking powder and baking soda in the bowl of a stand mixer. If mixing by hand or with a hand mixer, combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl.¾ Cup Cocoa Powder, 2 Cups All Purpose Flour, 2 Cups Granulated Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Corn Starch, 1 teaspoon Salt, 2 teaspoons Baking Powder, ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- Add oil and eggs. Mix until combined.¾ Cup Vegetable or Canola Oil, 4 Large Eggs
- Slowly pour brewed coffee into bowl while continuing to mix, scraping the bowl occasionally. The batter should be smooth.1 ¼ Cup Brewed Coffee
- Scoop batter into the cupcake liners until ⅔ full.
- Bake for 22 - 25 minutes, or until cupcakes are fully risen and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.
- Place cupcakes on a rack and allow to cool completely before filling and icing.
Fudge Icing
- Place the chocolate in a bowl.12 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped into chunks
- Combine cream and corn syrup and bring to a low boil.1 Cup Heavy Cream, ¼ Cup Light Corn Syrup
- Pour cream/corn syrup over chocolate.
- Let stand 2 – 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
- Add softened butter and stir until smooth.6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- Allow the icing to sit at room temperature and cool until it is firm enough to spread or pipe (approximately ½ hour).
Cupcake Assembly
- Using an apple corer, press down into the center of each cupcake about two-thirds of the way. Twist gently, then lift to remove the core.
- Fill the hollowed center of the cupcake halfway with caramel sauce (use a spoon or piping bag). Place chopped hazelnut praline in the hole to finish filling the center.½ Cup Caramel Sauce, store bought or homemade
- Spread fudge frosting over the cupcake or pipe onto the cupcake using a piping tip of your choice. Sprinkle each cupcake generously with the remainder of the chopped hazelnut praline.
Connie says
Chocolate.. Hazelnut, Praline? OMG Brilliant! Love this cupcake.