The Best Nutella Buttercream Recipe Gets Amped by Amaretto

This easy buttercream recipe is a little bit of a cheat — it doesn’t require separating eggs, candy-thermometer-monitored sugar syrups, or complex steps. You just beat confectioner’s sugar into whipped butter and then add Nutella and melted dark chocolate. Cream makes the frosting silky smooth while amaretto liqueur amps up the nuttiness. You can make it up to two days ahead and it spreads like a dream — try it on cupcakes or a layer cake!

Nutella Buttercream Recipe

Makes about 3 cups, enough for filling and frosting a bûche de Noël

3.5 ounces finely chopped bittersweet chocolate (¾ cup)
14 tablespoons (200 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ¾ cup (200 grams) confectioner’s sugar
½ cup (145 grams) Nutella hazelnut chocolate spread
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur (such as Amaretto di Saronno)

Step 1: Put the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high in 30 second bursts, stirring between bursts, until smooth, about 1 ½ minutes. Let the chocolate stand until warm, but not hot, to the touch, about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Meanwhile, whip the butter in a stand mixer or with a hand held mixer on medium high speed until light, 2 minutes. Sift the confectioner’s sugar into the bowl and beat on low speed until combined, 2 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Nutella and melted chocolate and beat on high speed until light, 3 minutes.

Step 4: Add the cream and whip on medium high speed until fluffy, 2 minutes. Add the amaretto and stir to combine. Use within 1 hour or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow the buttercream to return to room temperature before using.

Dina Ávila is a photographer living in Portland, Oregon.