Ferrero Rocher Cupcakes

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Ferrero Rocher cupcakes are extra-special desserts. They’re moist, decadent cakes with a delightful surprise: a crunchy hazelnut-chocolate filling. For added excitement, they boast generous swirls of whipped chocolate-ganache frosting, plus a Ferrero Rocher truffle on top!

📌 Pin Ferrero Rocher Cupcakes

🛒 Ingredients

For Chocolate Cupcakes

• Whole Milk: Provides moisture and richness to the cupcake batter, resulting in a tender crumb and soft texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Acts as the fat component in the recipe, ensuring moistness and tenderness in the cupcakes. It also helps to keep the cupcakes moist for longer periods.
• Large Eggs: Serve as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together and provide structure. They also contribute to the texture and richness of the batter.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cupcakes, adding a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor. It rounds out the chocolate flavor and complements the hazelnut notes.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes, balancing the bitterness of the cocoa powder and enhancing the overall flavor profile. It also contributes to the texture, providing tenderness and moisture.
• All Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cupcake batter, providing structure and stability. It also contributes to the texture, helping to create a light and fluffy crumb.
• Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: Like Hershey’s Cocoa Special Dark. It adds a rich chocolate flavor and dark color to the cupcakes. (Note: Make sure it’s unsweetened baking cocoa.)
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cupcakes rise and become light and airy. It creates the desired fluffy texture in the cupcakes without the need for yeast.
• Salt: Helps amplify the chocolate flavor. It also balances out the sweetness of the cupcakes.

For Chocolate Ganache (filling & frosting)

• Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar: The main ingredient for the ganache, it provides a rich chocolate flavor and smooth texture. It adds sweetness to the ganache without being overly sweet, balancing the flavors of the cupcakes.
• Heavy Cream: Acts as the liquid component in the ganache, helping to melt the chocolate and create a smooth, creamy consistency. The heavy cream also adds richness and a luxurious mouthfeel to the ganache, ensuring it’s velvety and indulgent.
• Roasted Salted Hazelnuts: Finely chopped, the hazelnuts add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the ganache filling, just like a Ferrero Rocher chocolate truffle.
• Powdered Sugar: Only if needed. When we’re whipping the ganache, if the texture becomes wet or grainy, we’ll add in a bit of powdered sugar to help smooth things out.
• Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Truffles: Whole round truffles are the perfect finishing touch on these Ferrero Rocher chocolate cupcakes. It makes them look elegant and special.

📖 Recipe Steps

For Chocolate Cupcakes

Recipe Prep: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 12-well cupcake pan with paper cupcake liners.

1. In a large bowl, whisk together whole milk, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the granulated sugar to the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth and slightly thickened.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the bowl: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Evenly divide the batter between the cupcake wrappers, filling each well with about 1/4 cup of batter.
4. Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

For Chocolate Ganache

1. While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the hazelnut chocolate ganache filling. Place the chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a heat-proof medium bowl and set it aside. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat just until it begins to steam. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes.
2. Gently stir the mixture until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth (about 1 minute). Remove 1/3 cup of ganache to a small bowl and stir in the finely-chopped hazelnuts. Set the remaining ganache aside for 1 hour, or until completely cooled.
3. Once the ganache is cool, beat it with a hand mixer on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes, or until light and fluffy. If the texture is wet or grainy, add in 1 cup powdered sugar and continue mixing until it becomes a light and fluffy frosting. Transfer the whipped ganache to a piping bag fitted with a metal tip, like a Wilton 2D.
4. To assemble, cut out a small hole (about the size of a quarter) in the center of each cupcake. Fill it with the chocolate-hazelnut mixture. (Note: If the hazelnut mixture becomes too thick to scoop, just warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.)

1. Then place the cut-out piece of cake back on top. Frost the cupcake with the whipped chocolate ganache. Top each cake with an unwrapped Ferrero Rocher truffle.

📝 Expert Tips

• How to prevent cupcakes from sinking in the middle: Cupcakes can sink due to various factors such as underbaking, overmixing, or opening the oven door too early. Ensure that the cupcakes are fully baked, avoid overmixing the batter, and refrain from opening the oven door during baking.
• How to store leftover cupcakes: Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
• How to freeze Ferrero Rocher cupcakes: You can freeze the cupcakes (without frosting) for up to 1 month. Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before frosting, adding an unwrapped truffle, and serving.

Rate This Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flavor tester’s review of Ferrero Rocher cupcakes: “The moist, rich chocolate cake was perfectly balanced with the decadent, whipped ganache frosting. It created a heavenly combination that left me craving more with each bite.

The elegant presentation with a Ferrero Rocher truffle perched on top makes them perfect for any special occasion or dessert table. Trust me, they will steal the show and leave everyone asking for the recipe!”

If you too agree this recipe’s a keeper, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.

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