There's something magical about biting into a perfectly moist German chocolate cupcakes, topped with that signature coconut-pecan frosting that's made this dessert famous. These German chocolate cupcakes transform the beloved classic cake into perfectly portioned treats that are ideal for parties, special occasions, or whenever you're craving something truly special. Whether you're an experienced baker or trying this recipe for the first time, these cupcakes deliver all the rich, satisfying flavors you love about German chocolate cake in a convenient handheld format.
Why You'll Love These German Chocolate Cupcakes
Despite their elegant appearance, these German chocolate cake cupcakes are surprisingly approachable to make. The rich chocolate base gets its distinctive flavor from German's sweet chocolate – a unique baking chocolate created by Samuel German in 1852. When paired with the traditional coconut-pecan frosting, these cupcakes offer an irresistible combination of textures and flavors that's stood the test of time.
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Ingredients
the Cupcakes:
- 4 ounces German's sweet chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup hot coffee
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
Preparing the Cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two standard muffin tins with paper liners. This recipe yields 24 cupcakes.
- Place the chopped German's sweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot coffee over the chocolate and let it stand for 2 minutes. Stir until completely smooth and set aside to cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and melted chocolate mixture until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture (three additions of flour and two of buttermilk). Mix until just combined.
- Fill each cupcake liner about ⅔ full with batter.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow cupcakes to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Coconut-Pecan Frosting
- In a medium saucepan, combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, and butter.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and becomes golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, coconut, and pecans.
- Allow frosting to cool completely and thicken before topping cupcakes.
Expert Tips for Perfect Cupcakes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all refrigerated ingredients are at room temperature before starting. This helps create a smooth, well-combined batter.
- Don't Overmix: Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough cupcakes.
- Cooling is Crucial: Wait until cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the coconut-pecan topping from melting.
Equipment For German Chocolate Cupcakes
- Two 12-cup muffin tins
- Paper cupcake liners
- Electric mixer (stand or hand-held)
- Medium saucepan
- Wire cooling rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storage Instructions
These German chocolate cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. Allow refrigerated cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Recipe Variations
- Mini German Chocolate Cupcakes: Use mini muffin tins and reduce baking time to 10-12 minutes
- Dairy-Free Version: Substitute coconut milk for buttermilk and use dairy-free butter alternatives
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend
- Extra Chocolate: Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the batter for additional chocolate flavor
Top Tip
The key to perfect German chocolate cupcakes lies in the frosting consistency. Cook the frosting until it's noticeably thickened but still spreadable. If it becomes too thick while cooling, warm it slightly or add a splash of evaporated milk to achieve the perfect consistency.
FAQ
What makes German chocolate cake different?
German chocolate cake is unique because it uses German's sweet chocolate (a specific brand of dark baking chocolate) and features a distinctive coconut-pecan frosting. Unlike traditional chocolate cakes, it's less intensely chocolate-flavored and has a lighter, sweeter taste. The signature frosting is made with egg yolks, evaporated milk, sugar, butter, coconut, and pecans, creating a rich, custard-like topping that sets it apart from other chocolate cakes.
Why is my German chocolate cake frosting so runny?
German chocolate cake frosting becomes runny when the egg yolks haven't been cooked long enough to thicken properly. The mixture should be heated until it reaches a pudding-like consistency, typically taking 12-15 minutes of constant stirring. Rushing this process or using too low heat prevents the eggs from properly thickening the mixture. Allow the frosting to cool completely before using, as it will continue to thicken as it cools.
What is the difference between German chocolate and bakers chocolate?
German chocolate contains 48% cacao with added sugar, making it sweeter and milder. Baker's chocolate is unsweetened with 100% cacao content, making it bitter and best for recipes where sugar is added separately.
What is the difference between a chocolate muffin and a chocolate cupcake?
Muffins are denser, less sweet, and use oil, while cupcakes are lighter, sweeter, and made with creamed butter. Muffins have a coarser texture and typically go unfrosted, while cupcakes have a fine crumb and always include frosting.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply craving something sweet, these German chocolate cupcakes deliver the perfect balance of rich chocolate, coconut, and pecans in every bite.
Give this classic recipe a try and share your baking success with us in the comments below!
Recent Recipe: If you enjoyed the German Chocolate Cupcakes, you'll want to try the Chocolate Chip Cake Recipe for another deliciously sweet treat.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with German Chocolate Cupcakes
German Chocolate Cupcakes
Equipment
- Two 12-cup muffin tins
- Paper cupcake liners
- Electric mixer (stand or hand-held)
- Medium saucepan
- Wire cooling rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
the Cupcakes:
- 4 oz German's sweet chocolate chopped
- ½ cup hot coffee
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
the Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
- Melt chocolate with hot coffee; let cool.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy (3-4 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla and chocolate mixture.
- Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to batter.
- Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full.
- Bake 18-20 minutes until done.
- Cool completely before frosting.
the Frosting:
- Combine milk, sugar, yolks, and butter in saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (12-15 minutes).
- Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, coconut, and pecans.
- Cool completely before topping cupcakes.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature
- Don't overmix batter
- Let frosting cool completely before using
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