Neopolitan Nutella

I am currently without my computer as it is in the shop getting work done to the sound. It has felt quite strange not to have it around and I have come to realize how much I rely on it to get things done. I have meal menus, recipes, chore charts, Christmas lists, and photos all stored on my computer. How does one create a blog post without a computer? For me, I "borrow" my daughter's iPad. That's how it's done around here. Then I find photos that have been uploaded, but have yet to be blogged. I figured you are all hungry for another cupcake recipe about now, aren't you? Perfect! I've got a recipe right here. 

Rebecca wanted a cupcake, for her birthday, that had some pink in it, as well as being kind of girly. There were many flavors that she enjoys, however, she wanted something we hadn't had in awhile. (We have many birthdays in August and September in our household.) I decided to mix things up a bit and made a neopolitanish cupcake and added Nutella because everyone loves Nutella!

Start with a chocolate Nutella cake for the base. This was pretty amazing with it being super moist
and fluffy at the same time.

For the top I used 3 different frostings which included Nutella cream cheese, vanilla cream cheese, and strawberry flavors. Unfortunately, I didn't get photos of all the frosting theatrics, but just know that it was a little crazy getting 3 different flavors on one cupcake.

NEOPOLITAN NUTELLA CUPCAKES

Cupcake indgredients:
2/3 cup Nutella
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cup buttermilk

Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting ingredients:
6 ounces cream cheese, at room temerature
2 Tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup Nutella
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting indgredients:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
5 Tablespoons butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Strawberry Frosting ingredients:
3 tablespoons strawberry puree
1 cup unsalted butter, firm, slightly cold
Pinch of course salt
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

To make cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
In a mixer bowl, beat eggs and sugar together until pale and thick. Add butter and mix until combined. Next, add nutella and mix. Add buttermilk and mix well.
Add flour mixture in 3 parts mixing well after each addition. Spoon batter into cupcake liners filling 3/4 full. Bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Nutella Frosting:
Cream butter and cream cheese together in a large mixing bowl. Add Nutella and vanilla mixing well. Slowly, add confectioners' sugar, scraping down sides as needed. Beat until light and fluffy.

Vanilla Frosting:
Cream butter and cream cheese together until well mixed. Add vanilla. Then slowly add confectioners' sugar, scraping sides down as needed.

Strawberry Frosting:
Beat butter and salt together until light and fluffy. On low speed, slowly add confectioners' sugar. Beat until well combined. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons of strawberry puree. Mix until just blended. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.

Frost cooled cupcakes beginning with Nutella frosting and ending with strwberry frosting. Enjoy!