How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes with Frosting? [Recipe] (2024)

Ready for a treat that’s not just scrumptious but has a delightful twist in its origin story? Let’s dive into the world of making German chocolate cupcakes, a dessert that’s more American than you’d think, but international in spirit and taste! I promise you a rich, mouth-watering experience. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s whip up some magic!

Is This the Best Cupcake Recipe?

Yes! Well, at least my favorite cupcake recipe. Let me elaborate.

When we are talking about a perfect cupcake we are talking about moist muffin topped with tantalizing frosting. And if you’re a fan of rich chocolate with the indulgent twist of coconut and pecans then this German Chocolate Cupcake recipe might just end your quest.

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How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes with Frosting? [Recipe] (1)

How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes?

Step 1: Make Moist Chocolate Muffins

First, you’ll need to turn on the oven to 350°F and bake the chocolate muffins. To do that, whisk together dry ingredients. Then, blend in wet ones, ensuring everything melds together nicely. Don’t worry, you will find the details at the end of the article.

Fill your paper-lined muffin cups about 3/4 of the way full and set them to bake. After 16-19 minutes, or once a toothpick emerges with just a few moist crumbs from the cupcake’s heart, you’ll know they’re done.

How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes with Frosting? [Recipe] (2)

Step 2: Prepare Coconut Pecan Topping

In a medium saucepan, marry together the evaporated milk, egg yolks, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and butter. Maintain a medium heat, stirring constantly. Once thickened, roughly after 10-15 minutes, you’re on the right track.

Take your mixture off the heat and stir in the shredded coconut and those freshly chopped pecans. Allow it to cool down to room temperature.

How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes with Frosting? [Recipe] (3)

Step 3: Whip Up Melt-in-Your-Mouth Frosting

Begin by melting the semi-sweet chocolate. My go-to method for melting chocolate is using an improvised double boiler, a technique that many bakers swear by. All you need is a saucepan filled with a bit of simmering water and a heat-proof bowl to place on top, ensuring that the bowl doesn’t touch the water.

By placing the chocolate in this bowl, it allows the chocolate to melt gently and evenly from the steam below, preventing it from scorching or seizing. The results of this method are consistently excellent: you get smooth, perfectly melted chocolate with a glossy finish every time, ideal for all your baking and dessert needs.

In your stand mixer (or using an electric hand mixer), fluff up the butter and cream cheese until they’re both smooth. Blend in the cocoa powder and powdered sugar at a gentle speed. With the mixer engaged, slowly introduce the melted chocolate, blending until harmoniously combined.

How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes with Frosting? [Recipe] (4)

How to Decorate German Chocolate Cupcakes?

Once your cupcakes have cooled down, give each one a generous tablespoon of the Coconut Pecan Topping. For that luxurious touch, pipe the velvety Chocolate Frosting around the cupcakes.

You can use any pipping bag tip you like. For example, a round tip is great for basic designs, while a star tip can create a more decorative and textured look.

If you are using the pipping bag for the first time, make sure you use a spatula to fill your piping bag about half full. After filling, twist the open end of the bag to push the frosting down and to prevent any from escaping out the top.

How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes with Frosting? [Recipe] (5)

How Long Do German Chocolate Cupcakes Last?

While these little delights are best enjoyed fresh, they can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the fridge to maintain their deliciousness. This way, they should last for up to several days.

Where Are German Chocolate Cupcakes Originated?

You might be surprised, like many, to think that German chocolate cake and cupcakes hail from Germany, right? But here’s a fun twist: they’re actually all-American treats!

The “German” in their name isn’t about the country but a nod to Samuel German, who whipped up a special sweet baking chocolate back in the mid-1800s. Thanks to him, we got the delicious German Chocolate Cake, which inspired these yummy cupcakes.

How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes with Frosting? [Recipe] (6)

German Chocolate Cupcakes W/ Frosting

Author: Laura Bais

Indulge in rich chocolate muffins topped with a creamy coconut pecan layer, then enveloped in velvety chocolate frosting for a heavenly bite every time.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 50 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings 12 cupcakes

Calories 516 kcal

Ingredients

Chocolate Muffins

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed light-brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • cup vegetable oil
  • cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • cup hot water
  • ¼ cup sour cream

Coconut Pecan Topping

  • ½ cup evaporated milk
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup packed light-brown sugar
  • ¼ cup salted butter
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • ¾ cup chopped pecans

Chocolate Frosting

  • 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate
  • 6 Tbsp salted butter
  • 3 oz cream cheese
  • 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 ½ Tbsp cocoa powder

Instructions

For the Muffins

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for 30 seconds.

  • Add in vegetable oil, milk, sour cream, egg, and vanilla extract and beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 2 minutes.

  • Pour in hot water and stir until well combined.

  • Fill paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full and bake in a preheated oven for 16 – 19 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs).

  • Remove from oven and allow to cool for several minutes in a muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Coconut Pecan Topping

  • Combine evaporated milk, egg yolks, brown sugar, vanilla extract and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 – 15 minutes (mixture should come to a light boil, and when you run a rubber spatula along the bottom, you should see the bottom of the pan for a moment).

  • In the meantime, you can chop up the pecans using a knife or food processor (just don’t process them for too long)

  • Remove from heat and mix in shredded coconut and chopped pecans, and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.

For the Chocolate Frosting

  • Place semi-sweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, then heat in the microwave at 50% power in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can use your go-to melting method, like the double-boiler.

  • Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.

  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (an electric hand mixer would work fine, too), whip together butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy.

  • Blend in cocoa powdered and powdered sugar at low speed.

  • With the mixer running, slowly power in melted chocolate and blend until combined. It should be done pretty quickly.

Finishing Up

  • Once cool, top each cupcake with 1 Tbsp of the Coconut Pecan Topping, then pipe the Chocolate Frosting around the cupcakes.

  • Store in an airtight container.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcakeCalories: 516kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 6gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 316mgPotassium: 243mgFiber: 3gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 526IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 2mg

Keyword chocolate cupcakes, Coconut Pecan Topping, German chocolate, german chocolate cupcake decoration, shredded coconut

Before diving into the nutritional details, please review ourNutritional Disclaimer pagefor important context and clarifications.

How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes with Frosting? [Recipe] (2024)

FAQs

Why is my German chocolate frosting not thick enough? ›

If your frosting isn't thickening, there are a few possible reasons: insufficient mixing, incorrect ingredient ratios or having too much liquid are the most common. You can try gradually adding thickening agents like cornstarch or powdered sugar as a last resort.

What is German chocolate cake frosting made of? ›

3. Make the German Chocolate Frosting: Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts and coconut.

What is the secret to super moist cupcakes? ›

  1. Buttermilk will make a moister cupcake than milk, due to its acid content. ...
  2. Vegetable oil makes very moist cupcakes. ...
  3. Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding mix contain a modified starch that let your cupcakes retain more moisture!

How long does it take German chocolate frosting to thicken? ›

Let it cool: Cool for at least 30 minutes or until it's thick enough to spread on our cake layers. The frosting will continue to thicken and set up a bit as it cools. You can even be make it a day or two in advance and keep the frosting in the fridge until it's ready to use.

What do you add to frosting to make it thicker? ›

Most frostings are made with powdered sugar (otherwise known as confectioners' sugar or icing sugar), which contains cornstarch to prevent it from caking. Adding more powdered sugar can be an effective way and the easiest way of absorbing too much liquid to achieve thicker frosting.

What makes German chocolate cake different from chocolate cake? ›

German chocolate cake uses a particular kind of baking chocolate as its base, one which has a milder, sweeter profile thanks in part to lecithin, a fatty substance derived from egg yolks. In contrast, classic chocolate cake recipes often use cocoa powder or darker chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor.

What makes German chocolate cake unique? ›

Of these three cakes, German chocolate is the only one that relies entirely on melted chocolate, as opposed to cocoa powder, for its flavor. In fact, its name comes from Sam German, the man who developed a sweet baking chocolate for the Baker's chocolate company of Boston.

What is special about German chocolate cake? ›

What is German Chocolate Cake? German chocolate cake is a layered chocolate cake (usually with two to three layers) that's traditionally made with sweet baking chocolate and buttermilk. It's filled and topped with a frosting made from pecan, coconut, and evaporated milk.

How to make cupcakes taste like bakery? ›

Easy Ways to Make Your Boxed Cupcake Mix Taste Better
  1. Add an extra egg. ...
  2. Replace water with whole milk, coffee, or soda. ...
  3. Add sugar and flour to the dry mix. ...
  4. Use butter instead of oil. ...
  5. Grab a handful of mix-ins. ...
  6. Ditch canned icing.

What not to do when baking cupcakes? ›

  1. Not preheating the oven. This is a common mistake that can lead to a cake that is not cooked evenly. ...
  2. Not using the right pan. ...
  3. Not greasing and flouring the pan. ...
  4. Not measuring the ingredients correctly. ...
  5. Overmixing the batter. ...
  6. Opening the oven too often. ...
  7. Not letting the cake cool completely before frosting.
Feb 7, 2020

Why are my chocolate cupcakes dry? ›

The ratio of wet to dry ingredients determines a cake's moisture level. If there's simply too much flour and not enough butter, a cake will taste dry. On the other hand, if there's too much milk and not enough flour, a cake will taste too wet. Finding the right balance between wet and dry ingredients is key.

What is the best temperature to bake cupcakes? ›

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and position a rack in the middle of the oven.

How can I thicken my chocolate frosting? ›

Dry/thick ingredients like cocoa powder, freeze dried fruit (powder,) and peanut butter will help thicken frosting, while vanilla and brown butter should be added sparingly to make sure it's the right texture. Storage Tips: Once you achieve the perfect consistency, store your frosting in an airtight container.

Why isn't my frosting thick? ›

Most frostings contain powdered sugar, or icing sugar, and the most common way to thicken a runny frosting is by gradually mixing in a bit more powdered sugar to offset the liquid ingredients. Sprinkle in 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 mL) of powdered sugar at a time, then stir it in and check the consistency.

How do you thicken canned chocolate frosting? ›

You'll need to thicken the consistency. Empty a can of frosting into a bowl and mix in 1 tablespoon of confectioner's sugar with a mixer, adding more sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

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