Turbinado sugar for sprinklingor regular granulated, optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F and line cupcake pan with paper liners (or grease/spray with baking spray)
In medium-sized, microwave safe bowl, combine cream cheese and Nutella and microwave at 10 second increments until the two can easily be stirred together (do not exceed 30 seconds).
Stir together cream cheese and Nutella and then stir in sugar.
Add egg yolk and vanilla and stir until combined. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In another bowl, combine canola oil, sugar, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until well-combined.
Add flour mixture to canola oil mixture and stir until just combined (do not over-mix!). Stir in white chocolate chips, if using.
Fill muffin cups ½ -way full with muffin batter. Top with 1 ½ - 2 Tbsp of Nutella mixture and then top with another spoonful of muffin batter so that muffin cups are about ¾ full.
Use a butter knife or toothpick to swirl the Nutella with the spoonful of muffin batter added to the top.
Sprinkle with turbinado (or regular) sugar and then bake for 25-30 minutes (until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with few crumbs) and allow muffins to cool before enjoying.