Nutella-Filled Muffins with Hazelnut Topping

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A Heavenly Blend of Creamy Chocolate and Crunchy Hazelnuts in Every Bite

There’s something absolutely magical about Nutella. Creamy, rich, and filled with the comforting flavors of chocolate and hazelnut, it’s one of those ingredients that never fails to please. Whether it’s spread on toast, swirled into a cheesecake, or eaten straight from the jar (we won’t judge), Nutella is a household favorite.

Now, imagine that indulgent spread tucked inside a warm, moist muffin, and topped with a golden hazelnut crumble that adds a satisfying crunch to each bite. That’s exactly what these Nutella-Filled Muffins with Hazelnut Topping deliver—a bakery-worthy treat made effortlessly in your own kitchen.

In this full-length guide, you’ll find everything you need to recreate these dreamy muffins: a comprehensive ingredient list, step-by-step instructions, helpful baking tips, estimated calorie content, and variations to suit your taste.

Why You’ll Love These Muffins

  • Rich Nutella center: Gooey, warm Nutella in every bite.

  • Crunchy topping: Toasted hazelnuts add irresistible texture.

  • Moist, fluffy muffin base: Tender from the use of buttermilk and butter.

  • Easy to make: Perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.

  • Freezer-friendly: Bake ahead and enjoy later.

Ingredients

For the Muffin Batter:

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened

  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar

  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk

  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk

  • 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

Filling:

  • 12 teaspoons Nutella (1 tsp per muffin), frozen slightly for easier handling

Hazelnut Crumble Topping:

  • 1/3 cup (40g) all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup (30g) chopped hazelnuts

  • 3 tbsp (45g) unsalted butter, melted

  • Pinch of salt

Tools You’ll Need

  • Muffin tin (12-cup)

  • Muffin liners (optional)

  • Mixing bowls

  • Whisk or electric mixer

  • Rubber spatula

  • Ice cream scoop or spoon

  • Cooling rack

Preparation Time

  • Prep time: 20 minutes

  • Cook time: 18–22 minutes

  • Cooling time: 10 minutes

  • Total time: ~50 minutes

  • Yields: 12 muffins

Instructions

Step 1: Pre-Freeze the Nutella

Scoop 12 teaspoons of Nutella onto a parchment-lined plate and freeze for about 20–30 minutes. This will help prevent it from completely absorbing into the muffin batter during baking.

Step 2: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease each cup with butter or non-stick spray.

Step 3: Make the Hazelnut Topping

In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, chopped hazelnuts, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix until crumbly and set aside.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 5: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

Step 6: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.

Step 7: Add Dairy

Whisk together the buttermilk, milk, and sour cream in a separate bowl or cup. This combination keeps the muffins tender and moist.

Step 8: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk mixture. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Do not overmix; fold gently until just combined.

Step 9: Assemble the Muffins

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup. Place a frozen Nutella disc in the center, then top with more batter until each cup is about 3/4 full.

Step 10: Add Topping

Generously sprinkle each muffin with the hazelnut crumble topping.

Step 11: Bake

Bake for 18–22 minutes or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the muffin (not through the Nutella center) comes out clean.

Step 12: Cool

Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm for that gooey Nutella center!

Tips for the Best Muffins

  • Use room temperature ingredients: Ensures even mixing and better rise.

  • Don’t skip freezing Nutella: Keeps the center defined instead of it melting into the batter.

  • Mix gently: Overmixing leads to tough muffins.

  • Add a touch of cinnamon: For warmth, mix 1/2 tsp cinnamon into the batter.

  • Use chopped roasted hazelnuts: For extra crunch and flavor.

Variations

1. Banana Nutella Muffins

Add 1 mashed ripe banana to the batter and reduce the buttermilk to 1/3 cup.

2. Nutella Swirl Muffins

Instead of filling, swirl 1 tsp Nutella on top of each muffin and bake as usual.

3. Nut-Free Option

Skip the hazelnut topping or use crushed graham crackers instead.

4. Mini Muffins

Make 24 mini muffins—just reduce baking time to 10–12 minutes.

Storage & Freezing

Room Temperature:

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Refrigeration:

Keep for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to enjoy warm.

Freezing:

Freeze for up to 3 months. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top bag. Reheat from frozen at 300°F (150°C) for 10–12 minutes or microwave for 30 seconds.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve warm with a cold glass of milk or hot coffee.

  • Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish.

  • Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Nutritional Information (Per Muffin – Approximate)

  • Calories: 320

  • Fat: 18g

  • Saturated Fat: 8g

  • Carbohydrates: 34g

  • Sugar: 20g

  • Protein: 5g

  • Fiber: 1g

  • Sodium: 180mg

Final Thoughts

These Nutella-Filled Muffins with Hazelnut Topping strike the perfect balance between indulgence and comfort. Whether you’re preparing a sweet breakfast treat, a dessert for guests, or just something to brighten your afternoon, these muffins never fail to deliver joy in each bite.

They’re moist, easy to make, and satisfyingly rich without being overly sweet. Best of all, you can easily adapt them with mix-ins or flavor variations to suit your mood or pantry ingredients.

So go ahead—preheat that oven, scoop out some Nutella, and treat yourself to a muffin that tastes like it came straight from a European café.

Let every bite take you somewhere sweet.

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