Self-Frosting Pumpkin Nutella Cupcakes

Today is the day my wonderful friend Hannah was born. It’s the first time in many years that we haven’t been together on her birthday, so last week I sent her some goodies in the mail. I needed something that would ship easily and I considered brownies or cookies until I discovered something better: self-frosting cupcakes!

These pumpkin cupcakes have a spoonful of Nutella mixed onto the top of them before they’re baked. They come out with a creamy Nutella swirl on top, making frosting unnecessary! I put them into a large container without worry of frosting smearing everywhere. Plus, no frosting = less calories (but not less flavor), and the cake part  is moist and full of spiced pumpkin goodness. These are perfect for a fall treat!

Happy birthday Hannah!!

Recipe:

Self-Frosting Pumpkin Nutella Cupcakes

Adapted from Phenomenon

Makes 12-15 cupcakes

  • 1 15-oz. can pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Nutella for topping

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line a muffin pan with foil or paper liners.

Place the pumpkin, oil, eggs, vanilla and brown sugar in a large bowl. Beat to combine.

In a separate large bowl, whisk the flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Add to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.

Fill muffin cups around 3/4 full. Place a couple of teaspoons of Nutella on top of each cupcake. Use a toothpick to swirl the Nutella around the top of the batter.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

16 Comments on Self-Frosting Pumpkin Nutella Cupcakes

  1. Belinda @zomppa
    October 30, 2011 at 10:48 am (12 years ago)

    Happy birthday! Could these be any more delicious?

    Reply
  2. Chrystina
    October 30, 2011 at 1:01 pm (12 years ago)

    These look delicious! I’m definitely going to have to try them – and because there’s no frosting I think I can pull off taking them on a plane for a business trip, awesome.

    Reply
  3. Emily
    October 30, 2011 at 4:54 pm (12 years ago)

    This is really cool! I love that they self-frost with the Nutella!! I wonder if I could make a gluten-free version 🙂

    Reply
  4. Jenn
    October 30, 2011 at 5:31 pm (12 years ago)

    These are AWESOME! I’ve never heard of self-frosting cupcakes before! Yum!

    Reply
  5. Emily @ Life on Food
    October 31, 2011 at 3:31 am (12 years ago)

    Oh goodness these look delightful. What a great birthday treat! I am going to have to try these out.

    Reply
  6. hannah
    October 31, 2011 at 7:19 am (12 years ago)

    And they were delicious!!! =) Thank you for such a wonderful treat, you are amazing!!

    Reply
  7. Shannon @ Family Bites
    October 31, 2011 at 8:36 am (12 years ago)

    These look amazing! I love Nutella and a cupcake that can self frost itself would totally make my life easier!!

    Reply
  8. Motorcyclist
    October 31, 2011 at 10:59 am (12 years ago)

    I’m not lazy (no, really!) but could you post a recipe for a self-MAKING frosted cupcake?

    Reply
  9. Elyse @The Cultural Dish
    October 31, 2011 at 3:24 pm (12 years ago)

    Oh these sound so yummy! I love that you put nutella on the top so that you don’t even need frosting….mmmmmmmmm!

    Reply
  10. Roxana GreenGirl
    October 31, 2011 at 8:08 pm (12 years ago)

    happy birthday to your friend. what a wonderful idea to send her these delicious cupcakes. love the self frosted idea. thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  11. Britne @ Shabbott's Habits
    November 2, 2011 at 6:47 pm (12 years ago)

    Cupcakes that frost themselves? With NUTELLA!?!? Hello…where has this been all of my life! And I love the pumpkin!

    Reply
  12. Peggy
    November 10, 2011 at 2:52 am (12 years ago)

    Great idea! And Happy Belated Birthday to Hannah!

    Reply
  13. Ivy
    October 2, 2016 at 6:23 am (7 years ago)

    These are SO GOOD. I added about 1 1/2 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips, and they’re literal heaven. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

3Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Self-Frosting Pumpkin Nutella Cupcakes

  1. […] to try to find a recipe that I could work with, and one of the first ones that came up was “Self-Frosting Pumpkin Nutella Cupcakes” from the blog, 52 Kitchen Adventures. Now to be completely honest I didn’t search for […]

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