German Chocolate Cupcakes

FOR THE CUPCAKES: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 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, 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. Add in sour cream and mix until combined.

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

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

Once cool, top each cupcake with 1 Tbsp of the Coconut Pecan Topping (in a mound in the center) then pipe the Chocolate Frosting around the cupcakes. Store in an airtight container.

FOR THE COCONUT PECAN TOPPING: In a medium saucepan combine, evaporated milk, egg yolks, brown sugar, and butter.

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).

Remove from heat and strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a mixing bowl. Stir in vanilla then 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 microwave on 50% power in 20-second intervals stirring after each interval until melted and smooth, set aside and allow to cool slightly.

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 on low speed, then blend in powdered sugar. With mixer running, slowly power in melted chocolate and blend until combined. Add in cream 1 tsp at a time, as needed to reach desired consistency.