Ingredients
for the cupcakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup hazelnut meal/flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons table salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened but slightly cool, cut into 12 pieces
3 large eggs
3/4 cups milk
2 teaspoons hazelnut extract
for the frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup nutella
3 cups confectioners
1-2 tablespoons milk (if necessary)
additionally: 1/2 cup cracked hazelnuts to garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Line a muffin pan with paper baking cups and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, hazelnut meal, baking powder, salt, and sugar on low speed. Add the butter, 1 piece at a time, and combine until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the eggs, 1 at time, and mix until fully combined. Add the milk and hazelnut extract, increase the speed to medium, and mix until the batter is light, fluffy and free of lumps.
Fill the lined muffin cups three-quarters full, being careful not to overfill. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean, about 20-22 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, cream together the butter and nutella until light and fluffy. Mix in the confectioners sugar a little bit at a time. The frosting may be a firm, so add a bit of milk as necessary. Refrigerate to set for 20-30 minutes. Frost cupcakes and garnish.
