German Chocolate Cupcakes

By far the most requested cupcake that I make is German Chocolate. There is just something about the combination of chocolate, pecans, and coconut that makes people come back for more. In a lot of cases, one is just not enough! 

To save time tonight and because I'm not above using a box cake mix, I'll do just that. I promise it will be just as good as from scratch and that I'll share the recipe at a later date. As many can attest to, the real star of the German Chocolate Cupcake is the Coconut Pecan Frosting.

It wasn't until I made my first homemade Coconut Pecan Frosting that I realized this level of yumminess could be achieved. I highly recommend next time you have a craving to leave that frosting tub on the shelf. The homemade kind tastes time to make, but believe me it is worth it!

German Chocolate Cupcakes

preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 box of Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe German Chocolate cake mix

1/4 cup of flour

3 eggs

1 1/3 cups of water

1/3 cup of vegetable oil

1. Add mix and flour to mixing bowl. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds.
3. Increase to medium speed for 1-2 minutes.
4. Fill liners to about two-thirds.

Bake for about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. Makes 24 cupcakes. 

Coconut Pecan Frosting

adapted from Martha Stewart

3 large egg yolks
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1/4 tsp salt
14 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
6 ounces pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped

1. Toast pecans at 350 for about 5-7 minutes. Stir once. Be careful not to let burn.
2. Combine egg yolks, evaporated milk, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Add butter, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick, normally about 10 minutes--but at high altitude 15-20 minutes! Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl.
3. Stir in vanilla, salt, coconut, and pecans. Let cool completely. Refrigerate overnight for best results.

A fun topping to add to German Chocolate Cupcakes are Trader Joe's Espresso Pillows, dark chocolate covered espresso toffee. I bought these on a trip to Tucson. We don't have a Trader Joe's here. I wish we did, that store is amazing!


I usually am not a coffee person, but these have a lot of toffee notes. Yum!