Quick and easy Nutella frosting recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. This buttercream frosting is full of hazelnut and chocolate flavor. Super fudgy, smooth, creamy and perfect for piping cupcakes and cake decorating.
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I love chocolate hazelnut spread and I just can't say that enough. It may be easy to tell, given all my recipes that include this chocolatey hazelnut dream: Nutella Syrup (2 Ingredients), Mini Nutella Cheesecake (No Bake), Easy Nutella Cupcakes (Cake Mix), and Easy Nutella Brownies (3 Ingredients). I even got a mini Nutella jar in my stocking for Christmas one year that was oh so cute. It was maybe 1 inch in diameter, so unfortunately, it just didn't have enough in it to curb my sweet tooth. To make my recipes you'll definitely need a bigger jar.
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Key ingredients for chocolate hazelnut buttercream icing
- Butter- Using unsalted is best in dessert recipes.
- Nutella- The chocolatey hazelnut star of the show.
- Powdered sugar- This will take almost an entire bag, so be prepared.
- Milk- I like to use whole milk for ultimate creaminess.
- Vanilla extract- Adds a subtle hint of flavor and warmth.
Variations
- Add some cream cheese or mascarpone- Try using about 4 ounces softened cream cheese at room temperature and mix well.
- Mix in some peanut butter- Add more or less, depending on your personal preference, but I'd start with ¼ cup.
- Use it for cake decorating- Check out some of my cake design tutorials like this Football Cupcakes Cake or How to Make Buttercream Flowers (Russian Piping Tips) or even this Easy Camping Cake and especially in this Best Birthday Cake.
- Use it as a topping on brownies- Try it on these Fudgy Avocado Brownies or Pumpkin Brownies (With Brownie Mix).
- For a dark chocolate flavor- Mix in ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder but you will also need to add some milk to get the desired smooth and creamy consistency.
- Pair this with cupcakes- Such as my Best Vanilla Cupcakes, Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes, or Brownie Cupcakes (From Scratch). You can even make mini cupcakes with the right tin.
- Pair it with cakes- It tastes delicious on my Vanilla Cake and Chocolate Popcorn Cake.
- Try a different extract- Such as hazelnut (or even hazelnut liqueur), mint, maple, banana, or almond.
- Toss in some add-ins- Such as mini chocolate chips, various sprinkles, mini M&Ms. crushed nuts of your choice, or shredded coconut.
How to make easy Nutella frosting recipe from scratch?
1. Mix butter and Nutella- Until smooth.
2. Dump powdered sugar- Starting with three cups.
3. Pour milk- On top of powdered sugar.
4. Before mixing- Add in the vanilla extract.
5. Mix these ingredients together- Until smooth.
6. Add in remaining powdered sugar- To thicken the frosting.
7. Stir in a little milk- If the frosting is too thick.
8. Mix altogether- Until desired consistency is reached.
Tips and techniques
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature- To ensure everything mixes together evenly.
- Substitute milk- With half and half or even coffee creamer.
- Use unsalted butter- Otherwise your desserts will be overly salty.
- Increase stabilization- By using a combination of half butter and half shortening.
- Full fat ingredients are best- Because this makes it more creamy and a beautiful texture.
- When frosting a cake or cupcakes- Be sure that it has cooled before piping or else it will melt off.
Recipe FAQs
No. On its own, you can use it as a filling but the consistency it just too thin for covering cakes, cake decorating or piping swirls on cupcakes.
If your frosting is too thick, simply mix in some additional milk, using a little at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. To thicken the it, add in more powdered sugar a little at a time.
I have not tried this recipe with other brands, but you can always try it. It will likely be similar. However, I think Nutella is the best quality and with that comes better results.
Storage
- Make ahead- This can be made up to 1 week in advance, placed in a sealed container and kept in the fridge. Stir before using.
- Room temperature- Because this frosting contains dairy ingredients I dont' recommend leaving it out more than a few hours.
- Refrigerate- Store in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
- Freeze- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge, stir, and serve on desserts.
More easy homemade frosting and fillings
- Caramel Frosting (3 Ingredients)
- Easy Honey Frosting (No Powdered Sugar)
- Easy Marshmallow Frosting (With Fluff)
- Chocolate Ganache Frosting (2 Ingredients)
- Homemade Whipped Cream (Stabilized)
Recipe
Easy Nutella Frosting (Buttercream)
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter Unsalted, Room temperature
- 1 cup Nutella Room temperature
- 5 cups Powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoon Whole milk Can also use half and half or coffee creamer
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract Can also use hazelnut liqueur or hazelnut extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add butter and Nutella and mix until smooth.
- Add 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon milk, vanilla extract and mix.
- Add remaining 2 cups powdered sugar and mix. Mix in more milk only if the icing is too thick.
- Continue mixing until icing is thickened and has a piping consistency.
- Frost your cakes, cupcakes or other desserts and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Use full fat ingredients.
- Make sure you are using unsalted butter to prevent the end result from being too salty.
- All ingredients should be at room temperature because that yields the smoothest consistency.
- If icing is too thick, you can thin it out by mixing in more milk (about 1 teaspoon at a time).
- If icing is too thin, you can thicken it out by mixing in more powdered sugar (about ¼ cups at a time).
- Recipe can easily be doubled.
- To add more stability to this icing, use a combination of half butter and half shortening.
- Read additional tips and variations above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
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