German Chocolate Cupcakes

Lately my computer has been on the fritz which has resulted in a lot of frustration. When your computer decides its going to shut down whenever it feels like it and not open anything....your usually have some choice words for it. So I decided to make a trip home to where the computer genius resides, DAD! Thank goodness for my father and his "nerdeyness". So in return for fixing my computer, and because Father's Day is coming up I made him his favorite kind of cake,in CUPCAKE form. Of course!! 

German Chocolate is chocolate cake with a sweet and sticky coconut and pecan filling and topping. For those with a serious sweet tooth.

I started out by making the usual chocolate cupcake recipe, but instead of using cupcake liners you have to grease your muffin tin really well. This is because you are going to cut the cupcakes in half and fill them with the coconut pecan filling and then spoon some more over the top. 

Chocolate Cupcakes

1 1/2 c Flour

3/4 c Cocoa powder

1 1/2 c Sugar

1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda

3/4 tsp Salt

2 eggs

3/4 c buttermilk 

3 tbsp Vegetable Oil

3/4 c Warm Water

Sift together dry ingredients in a bowl. Set aside

In a large bowl, or your kitchen aid bowl beat eggs , buttermilk and oil.

With the mixer on slow add the dry ingredients about 1/2 cup at a time, alternating with the warm water. Beat until smooth and combined.

Divide batter evenly among greased muffin tins and bake at 350 for 10 minutes (for mini cupcakes) 15-20 minutes for regular cupcakes. Until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on cooling racks.

 

 

Filling

2 egg yolks

6 oz Evaporated Milk

1/2 c packed brown sugar

6 tbsp butter, room temp in small pieces

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/3 c sweetened flaked coconut

3/4 c pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped

Combine yolks, milk and brown sugar in a saucepan. Add butter and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thickened (about 10 minutes) Pour mixture through a sieve, into a bowl (VERY IMPORTANT TO STRAIN MIXTURE) Stir in vanilla, salt, coconut and toasted pecans. Mix and let cool completely. Use right away, best eaten within 1 week.

To assemble, cut the cupcakes in half. Spoon a tbsp of filling into the center and replace the top of the cupcake. Spoon another tbsp or so on top of the cupcake. Keep in an airtight container for 1 week.

assembling the cupcakes

Chocolate Salted-Caramel Cupcakes

I've been wanting to try this recipe for awhile now, but the fact that you have to make caramel has been keeping me from trying it. Cooking sugar and I do NOT mix! I always burn it or don't let it cook long enough so its gooey. I think there has been one time outta of many many attempts that I have successfully made fudge. ANYWAY back to the cupcakes...another page out of Martha's Cupcake Book, I'm telling you everyone should have this book! 

So tomorrow my father in law is flying home from Alberta and it also happens to be their 25th Wedding Anniversary! Needless to say Ill be making them a special dinner, and in my house cupcakes is just a given. I love when company comes because it gives me a chance to make something different and it actually gets eaten (I have a house of picky eaters) This is what I chose for their Anniversary dessert! 

 

Salted Caramel Filling

1 1/4 c sugar

1/3 c water

2 tsp corn syrup

1/3 c heavy cream

1 tsp sea salt

Heat sugar with the water and corn syrup in a saucepan over med-high heat. Stir occasionally until syrup is clear. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Stop stirring and cook until syrup comes to a boil, wash down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush as needed.

Continue to boil, swirling the pan occasionally until the mixture is caramelized and has reached 360 on the candy thermometer. Remove from heat and add salt and cream (mixture is going to bubble up and spatter, be very very careful). Stir using a wooden spoon until smooth. Use immediately.

Spoon a tsp or 2 into the hole you cut into the cupcakes, being very careful not to burn yourself. Sprinkle each filled cupcake with a small amount of sea salt. Should look something like this...

You could serve them just like this and they would be just fine! BUT!! The icing on these is sooo good! So I highly recommend taking the extra time and make some up, chocolate of course!

Enjoy!

 I'm very happy that I tried this recipe FINALLY! I'll definitely be making it again that's for sure!

Bre's Cupcake Portfolio

Last fall I decided that I would start making cupcakes to sell. Starting small with a simple ad on kijiji to see where it would take me, to see if people were actually interested in cupcakes. So right away I got a few friends of friends interested for their kids birthdays. Perfect Start! Excuse these first few pictures, they are all pre-kitchen aid.



Pink and brown ladybug first birthday

For a little girls Spa Party

Then it was Christmas and I just wanted to focus on family and the holidays so I didn't bother to re-post my ad. WELL!! I received two of the best Christmas presents ever! #1: My Kitchen Aid from my parents...my new toy! #2: My Wilton decorating kit from my husband! Two awesome gifts that went hand in hand! Let the baking commence...

The new edition! YAY!

Makin my life easier! and my blog more exciting!

Anyway so after the holidays I re-posted my ad and continued making more cupcakes to ad to my personal portfolio.  Resulting in cupcakes for every occasion and no occasion...

First time making and using fondant

Chicken Birthday Party

Bridal Shower, First time using fondant on a cake.

Valentines Day!



Sunday Dinners



2nd Birthday!

Again, all the cupcakes for the 2nd Birthday

Cocktail Party



St Patricks Day!



I received a response to my kijiji ad about a picture I had of some bachelorette cupcakes I made, the lady said I should mark my ad PG or "18 and over only" So instead of posting the picture directly on this page I'll link them...
Bachelorette Cupcakes, Bachelorette Cupcakes 2

Finally! About 3 weeks ago I get a response to my ad about cupcakes for a baby shower....this is the best part...FROM SOMEONE I DIDN'T KNOW! haha So today I spent the morning making these cupcakes for her.

I unfortunately did not make these cupcakes, this is my model for her cupcakes. She asked for Modern, loved these and these colors.

This is what I spent my morning making...I am proud to say these are mine! Even if they arent identical! =)

Baby Shower for a little boy!

 About 10 minutes after I finished making these I was chatting with girl I made cupcakes for before. She is throwing a baby shower...and asked if I would make cupcakes for it! Well OF COURSE!! So happy I already have my next project.