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Nutella Buttercream Frosting

5 from 6 votes
Time: 15 minutes
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This easy homemade Nutella Buttercream Frosting recipe is creamy, silky smooth, decadent, and has deep hazelnut and cocoa flavors. It is great for layer cakes, cupcakes, and eating with a spoon!

It has just the right amount of sweetness and whips up in under 15 minutes.

For more Nutella recipes, try my Nutella Puppy Chow, Nutella Milkshake, Chocolate Nutella Cake, and Ferrero Rocher Brownies.

Swirls of Nutella Buttercream Frosting in a small dish. Surrounded by whole hazelnuts and nutella.

EASY Nutella Buttercream Frosting

This frosting is basically a chocolate hazelnut buttercream. It requires only 7 simple ingredients and is the best recipe out there, if I do say so myself.

  • IT HAS THE BEST FLAVOR: Rich balance of hazelnut and cocoa flavors. Indulgence at it’s finest!
  • YOU CHOOSE THE TEXTURE: It is all in the mixer attachment. Use the whisk for light airy frosting OR use the paddle for creamy and smooth frosting.
  • SO MANY USES: This frosting goes great on cakes, brownies, sandwiched between cookies, or dipped in fruits.
  • GOES WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT FLAVORS: Nutella pairs well with fruits, vanilla, cheesecake, and other nut spreads! This makes it a great addition to so many different baked goods.

Make This Recipe With Me (In Under One Minute)

Ingredients in Nutella Buttercream Frosting

  • Butter: This recipe uses unsalted butter. I have tested this recipe with both dairy free and plant based butters (both turn out great). Be sure to softened it to room temperature or your buttercream will be lumpy. If you use salted butter, leave out the salt below.
  • Nutella Hazelnut Spread: I have used both Nutella brand and generic brand hazelnut spread for this recipe and have seen no difference in texture or taste. I really love the one from Aldi’s.
  • Vanilla Extract: This adds depth and a bit of extra flavor. Be sure to use pure or homemade vanilla extract (not imitation).
  • Salt: An essential booster the hazelnut and cocoa flavors.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Gives the frosting a chocolatey flavor and stability without adding more powdered sugar. Use any brand preferred. I do not recommend Dutch-processed cocoa for this recipe.
  • Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar): Do not mistake this for other types of sugar, it should say 10x powdered on the bag. It adds sweetness without being grainy like granulated sugar.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: The key element to a SUPER creamy consistency frosting. Feel free to use dairy free or vegan varieties.

Equipment Needed

  • Hand Mixer OR Stand Mixer: This takes all the gruesome mixing out of the process. I use my stand mixer but hand mixers are just as good. If you do not have either, this recipe can be made by hand, it will just take a bit longer.
  • Silicon Spatula: You’ll need this to scrape down your bowl and to smooth out the frosting in the last step.
Ingredients Needed. Unsalted butter, powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, Nutella hazelnut spread, vanilla extract, salt, and heavy whipping cream.

How to Make Nutella Buttercream Frosting

Here’s a quick overview of how easy this frosting is. The recipe card below will have all the additional details.

  1. Beat the butter until fluffy and lightened in color.
  2. Add and combine the Nutella hazelnut spread, vanilla, and salt.
  3. Add and combine the unsweetened cocoa powder and then the powdered sugar in two additions.
  4. Slowly pour in the heavy whipping cream and whip until the frosting is smooth and well combined.
  5. Assess your Nutella Buttercream Frosting before using. See the next two sections for additional information.

TROUBLESHOOTING THE CONSISTENCY: If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar (2 tablespoons at a time). If the frosting is too thick, add more heavy whipping cream (1 tablespoon at a time).

TROUBLESHOOTING THE TEXTURE: If it seems too airy, fold by hand multiple times with a silicone spatula to release some air. If it seems too dense, turn your mixer up to it’s highest speed and allow the frosting to whip and aerate for about a minute.

Nutella frosting in a bowl with a metal spreading tool. Whole hazelnuts and Nutella in the background.

Storing Information:

This Nutella Buttercream Frosting is best stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 to 7 days. It can be kept in an airtight container, a bowl covered in plastic wrap, in a piping, or in an airtight reusable bag. When you are ready to use the frosting, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.

You can also store this recipe in the freezer for up to 3 months! This makes it great for reducing waste and using later. It should be stored in an airtight container or in an airtight reusable bag. When you are ready to use it again, remove it from the freezer and let the frosting come to room temperature. Whip on medium speed with stand mixer/ hand mixer until it is light and fluffy before using.

How Much Nutella Buttercream Frosting Do I Need?

It can be so difficult figuring out how many batches of frosting to make. These are my personal recommendations, but you may need more or less Nutella Buttercream Frosting depending on your preferences. Hope this helps!

  • 6 cupcakes: half batch
  • 12 cupcakes: one batch
  • 24 cupcakes: two batches
  • 1 layer cake: half batch
  • 6 inch layer cake: one batch
  • 8 inch layer cake: two batches
  • 8×8 dessert: one batch
  • 13×9 dessert: two batches
  • Filling 12 cookie sandwiches: one batch
  • Filling 48 macarons: one batch

NOTE: You can easily double or triple the recipe by choosing 2x or 3x in the recipe card below.

Swirls of Nutella frosting

Nutella Frosting Uses

The amount of things you can frost with this buttercream are endless! I can’t resist eating a dollop on a spoon when I make it.

1 BIG Tip For The BEST Buttercream Frosting

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MIXER ATTACHMENT! I kid you not, this makes ALL the difference. And I have to say it will be a different choice for everyone, depending on what kind of frosting you are looking for.

Use the paddle attachment if you want a smooth frosting and use the whisk attachment if you want a more airy frosting. I like to use the paddle for frosting cakes, brownies, things of that nature, and the whisk attachment for cupcakes. Either way, the frosting will be delicious no matter what you choose.

A hand holding a piping bag while piping Nutella Buttercream Frosting on a chocolate cupcake.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What can I use other than heavy whipping cream?

You will want to substitute with a milk that has high fat content. Other options are half and half, dairy free heavy whipping cream, vegan varieties of heavy cream. I do not recommend using whole milk, almond milk, or any other similar milks. They make the buttercream frosting watery instead of creamy due to the lower levels of fat.

Can I make Nutella Buttercream ahead of time?

Yes! Just be sure to store it in an airtight container and in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days. When you are ready to use it, allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before folding it with a spatula or whipping it with a whisk.

What flavors does Nutella go with?

Nutella goes great with a lot of things. Some include bananas, oatmeal, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, toffee, cookie butter, peanut butter, blueberries, marshmallow, cheesecake, berries. The list goes on and on.

More Buttercream Frosting Recipes You Might Enjoy:


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Enjoy Entirely, Elizabeth
Swirls of Nutella Buttercream Frosting in a small dish. Surrounded by whole hazelnuts and Nutella.

Nutella Buttercream Frosting

Elizabeth Swoish
This super creamy Nutella Buttercream Frosting recipe has deep hazelnut and chocolate flavors. It is easy to make, always silky smooth, and goes great on various desserts.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12 (1/4 cup each)
Calories 256 kcal

EQUIPMENT

  • stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Silicone Spatula

INGREDIENTS
 
 

  • 1 cup unsalted butter - room temperature (2 sticks)
  • ½ cup Nutella hazelnut spread
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoon heavy whipping cream - plus more to reach desired consistency

INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • Choose your stand mixer/hand mixer attachment. The paddle for a smooth and creamy frosting. The whisk for a light and airy frosting.
  • On medium-high speed beat the room temperature unsalted butter for 3 to 5 minutes. It should be light in color and smooth.
  • Add Nutella hazelnut spread, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium speed until fully incorporated, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add unsweetened cocoa powder. Beat on low speed until fully incorporated, 1 to 2 minute.
  • Add half the powdered sugar, beat on low speed until it is fully absorbed within the frosting, about 1 minute. Do this again with the remaining powdered sugar.
  • Beat the buttercream on low speed while slowly pouring in the heavy whipping cream. Continue to beat until it has been incorporated.
  • Assess the buttercream's consistency. If the frosting is too thick, add an additional 1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream until desired consistency. If the frosting is too thin, add an additional 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar until desired consistency.
  • Assess the buttercream's texture. If too airy, use a spatula to fold by hand until it smooths out. If too dense, turn the mixer up to it's highest speed and whip the frosting for about 1 minute to aerate it.
  • Prepare Nutella Buttercream Frosting for decorating.

VIDEO

RECIPE NOTES

Storing Information:

In the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. Store it in airtight container, a bowl covered in plastic wrap, in a piping, or in an airtight reusable bag.
  • When you are ready to use the frosting, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.
In the freezer for up to 3 months. Store in an airtight container or in an airtight reusable bag.
  • When you are ready to use it again, remove it from the freezer and let the frosting come to room temperature. Whip on medium speed with stand mixer/ hand mixer until it is light and fluffy before using.
 

How Much Nutella Buttercream Frosting Do I Need?

  • 6 cupcakes: half batch
  • 12 cupcakes: one batch
  • 24 cupcakes: two batches
  • 1 layer cake: half batch
  • 6 inch layer cake: one batch
  • 8 inch layer cake: two batches
  • 8×8 dessert: one batch
  • 13×9 dessert: two batches
  • Filling 12 cookie sandwiches: one batch
  • Filling 48 macarons: one batch
NOTE: You can easily double or triple the recipe by choosing 2x or 3x in the recipe card above.

Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Never Google a conversion or temperature again: Get my ultimate Kitchen Cheat Sheet! Yours FREE and printable with just 1 click.
Did you try this recipe?Please take a minute to leave a rating and comment below. My community of readers appreciate it and I do too!
By Elizabeth Swoish on January 23rd, 2023
Elizabeth Swoish holding a camera up to her eye taking a photo.

About Elizabeth Swoish

Elizabeth Swoish is the founder and CEO of Entirely Elizabeth. She is a self-taught foodie and mocktail enthusiast with a business degree in data analysis. Read Elizabeth's food journey or connect on your favorite social media channels.

6 thoughts on “Nutella Buttercream Frosting”

  1. 5 stars
    This Nutella Frosting was a dream come true, the nutty Nutella mixed with whipping cream made a creamy frosting that tasted great and I couldn’t stop myself from licking the spoon clean!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    Nutella is pretty much my favorite thing in the world so the second I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it. OMG! I was tempted to just eat all of it with a spoon right out of the bowl. So good! I spread it over basic box mix cupcakes and it made them taste like something extraordinary. My new favorite frosting!

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    This frosting is insane! So decadent and delicious. I didn’t think Nutella could be any better than straight out of the jar but I want to put this on everything now!

    Reply
  4. 5 stars
    YUM!!!!!

    have made this frosting twice now. Once I used the whisk to make it really light and fluffy and once I used the paddle to get it glossy and smooth.

    I used the light fluffy one for cupcakes and the smooth one for a sheet pan cake. Both were amazing.

    I used Nutino rather than Nutella but otherwise I followed it exactly. Such a good recipe. THANK YOU

    Reply

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