Today is the day my wonderful friend Hannah was born. It’s the first time in many years that we haven’t been together on her birthday, so last week I sent her some goodies in the mail. I needed something that would ship easily and I considered brownies or cookies until I discovered something better: self-frosting cupcakes!

These pumpkin cupcakes have a spoonful of Nutella mixed onto the top of them before they’re baked. They come out with a creamy Nutella swirl on top, making frosting unnecessary! I put them into a large container without worry of frosting smearing everywhere. Plus, no frosting = less calories (but not less flavor), and the cake part is moist and full of spiced pumpkin goodness. These are perfect for a fall treat!

Happy birthday Hannah!!

Recipe:

Self-Frosting Pumpkin Nutella Cupcakes

Adapted from Phenomenon

Makes 12-15 cupcakes

1 15-oz. can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Nutella for topping

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin pan with foil or paper liners.

Place the pumpkin, oil, eggs, vanilla and brown sugar in a large bowl. Beat to combine.

In a separate large bowl, whisk the flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Add to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.

Fill muffin cups around 3/4 full. Place a couple of teaspoons of Nutella on top of each cupcake. Use a toothpick to swirl the Nutella around the top of the batter.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

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16 Comments on Self-Frosting Pumpkin Nutella Cupcakes

Belinda @zomppa
October 30, 2011 at 10:48 am (13 years ago)

Happy birthday! Could these be any more delicious?
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Chrystina
October 30, 2011 at 1:01 pm (13 years ago)

These look delicious! I’m definitely going to have to try them – and because there’s no frosting I think I can pull off taking them on a plane for a business trip, awesome.
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Emily
October 30, 2011 at 4:54 pm (13 years ago)

This is really cool! I love that they self-frost with the Nutella!! I wonder if I could make a gluten-free version 🙂
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Jenn
October 30, 2011 at 5:31 pm (13 years ago)

These are AWESOME! I’ve never heard of self-frosting cupcakes before! Yum!
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Emily @ Life on Food
October 31, 2011 at 3:31 am (13 years ago)

Oh goodness these look delightful. What a great birthday treat! I am going to have to try these out.
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hannah
October 31, 2011 at 7:19 am (13 years ago)

And they were delicious!!! =) Thank you for such a wonderful treat, you are amazing!!
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Shannon @ Family Bites
October 31, 2011 at 8:36 am (13 years ago)

These look amazing! I love Nutella and a cupcake that can self frost itself would totally make my life easier!!
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Motorcyclist
October 31, 2011 at 10:59 am (13 years ago)

I’m not lazy (no, really!) but could you post a recipe for a self-MAKING frosted cupcake?
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Elyse @The Cultural Dish
October 31, 2011 at 3:24 pm (13 years ago)

Oh these sound so yummy! I love that you put nutella on the top so that you don’t even need frosting….mmmmmmmmm!
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Roxana GreenGirl
October 31, 2011 at 8:08 pm (13 years ago)

happy birthday to your friend. what a wonderful idea to send her these delicious cupcakes. love the self frosted idea. thanks for sharing 🙂
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Britne @ Shabbott's Habits
November 2, 2011 at 6:47 pm (13 years ago)

Cupcakes that frost themselves? With NUTELLA!?!? Hello…where has this been all of my life! And I love the pumpkin!
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Peggy
November 10, 2011 at 2:52 am (13 years ago)

Great idea! And Happy Belated Birthday to Hannah!
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Ivy
October 2, 2016 at 6:23 am (8 years ago)

These are SO GOOD. I added about 1 1/2 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips, and they’re literal heaven. Thanks for the recipe!
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