Cupcake Cheat: German Chocolate Cupcakes

I'm going to be posting a series of 'Cupcakes Cheats' because let's face it, sometimes you don't always have the time or supplies to bake from scratch. These recipes will make your cupcakes taste like you spent hours on them when really they don't take much time at all. All of these recipes will involve boxed cake mix with some added ingredients to create some really yummy flavors.

The first 'Cupcake Cheat' I'm going to share with you is definitely a favorite of mine. It's basically a German Chocolate Cake in cupcake form, and I promise these will be a crowd favorite as well.

INGREDIENTS:CUPCAKES::

Your favorite chocolate cake mix (I prefer Devil's Food cake mix)

Ingredients required for cake mix (Usually 3 eggs, vegetable oil, and water)

INGREDIENTS:TOPPING::

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of evaporated milk

3 egg yolks beaten

1/2 cup of butter

1 1/3 cups of flaked coconut

1 cup of chopped pecans

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 bag of mini chocolate chips

INGREDIENTS:GARNISH::

Other 1/2 bag of mini chocolate chips

OTHER SUPPLIES::

2 Ziplock bags

Parchment paper or wax paper

INSTRUCTIONS::

1. Follow directions for box mix and bake your cupcakes. Allow the cupcakes to cool.

2. While the cupcakes are baking make your garnish since these will need time to freeze. Put half a bag of mini chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and pop in the microwave for 30 second intervals until melted. Be careful not to burn the chocolate. 

3. Pour the melted chocolate into a ziplock bag, cut a small hole at the corner. On top of a baking sheet lay a piece of parchment or wax paper flat and begin piping designs with the melted chocolate. In the photo above you will see I just did zigzags, hearts, loops...whatever you want. Just make sure the designs are thick so they peel off without breaking, and as always make a few extras in case of breakage. Put these in the freezer so they can harden.

4. Use a cupcake corer to make a small hole in the middle of your cupcakes to pour some of your filling into. You can leave this step out if you don't want as much filling.

5. Begin making the filling. In a sauce pan combine the sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and beaten egg yolks. Cook this over low heat and stir constantly until thickened. 

6. Remove from heat and add in pecans, coconut, and vanilla. Stir.  Let this cool for a bit until thick enough to spread on your cupcakes.

7. Spoon the topping onto each of your cupcake making sure to fill the hole you cored out. Spread this evenly on top of your cupcake with a spatula or butter knife.

8. Melt the other half of your mini chocolate chips in the microwave at 30 second intervals in a microwave safe bowl. Again, put this in a ziplock bag and cut a small hole in the corner. Drizzle the melted chocolate on top of your cupcakes.

9. Wait for the topping to completely cool before adding your garnish or they will melt. You can place the cupcakes in the fridge for a bit if needed. Once cooled, take your chocolate decorations out of the freezer, CAREFULLY peel of the wax/parchment paper, and stick into the top of your cupcakes.

There you have it! Beautiful and delicious cupcakes...from cake mix!