I love cupcakes. But that’s like duh, why wouldn’t you? They’re mini versions of cake, and obviously anything that is mini is automatically awesome. I also love saving time because that leaves extra time for more important things like eating all the dessert and then napping it away.

Boxed cake mixes are an easy and fast way to bake cupcakes, so using one is the clear choice when I need a quick fix. But if I want to pretend like I have incredible baking skills, using a boxed cake mix feels like cheating since I’m not baking from scratch. Luckily, this recipe spices up boxed mix cupcakes by adding a moist fudge-filled center and a smooth Nutella frosting on top making these chocolaty concoctions totally your own.

Fudge-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes with Nutella Frosting

  • Prep Time:30 minutes
  • Cook Time:16 minutes
  • Total Time:46 minutes
  • Servings:24 cupcakes
  • Medium

    Ingredients

  • 1 box of Betty Crocker's Super Moist Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream
  • 3/4 cup softened butter
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoon Nutella
  • 1 tablespoon meringue powder (optional)
Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 1

    For cupcakes: Mix together the Betty Crocker cake mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and sour cream in a large bowl.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 2

    Line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 3

    Fill each cupcake liner 1/2 full with cupcake batter.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 4

    Bake the cupcakes at 350°F for about 16 minutes and then let them cool.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 5

    For fudge filling: Heat the hot fudge ice cream topping in the microwave until you are able to pour the hot fudge into the squeezable bottle.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 6

    Stick the tip of the bottle into the cupcakes and squeeze the hot fudge into the centers.

    #SpoonTip: Don’t put the tip of the bottle in the cupcake too deep or squeeze in too much fudge otherwise the cupcake will leak.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 7

    For Nutella frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, cocoa powder, Nutella, and meringue powder.

    #SpoonTip: The meringue powder is optional, but it helps the frosting hold more shape.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 8

    Beat in the powdered sugar and the milk.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 9

    Fill the piping bag with the Nutella frosting.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta
  • Step 10

    Frost the cupcakes.

    Photo by Maya Giaquinta