German Chocolate Cupcake

Directions

1. 1
   Special equipment: Cupcake corer
2. 2
   For the batter: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
3. 3
   Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
4. 4
   In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy with an electric hand mixer.
5. 5
   Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated.
6. 6
   Beat in the vanilla.
7. 7
   Reduce to a low speed.
8. 8
   Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk.
9. 9
   Beat in the melted and cooled chocolate.
10. 10
    Divide the batter evenly among the lined cups, filling each three-quarters full.
11. 11
    Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes.
12. 12
    Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
13. 13
    For the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut flakes and pecans, and set aside.
14. 14
    In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, vanilla, egg yolks and evaporated milk.
15. 15
    Heat the pan over medium-high heat until it begins to boil.
16. 16
    Stir constantly.
17. 17
    Let the mixture boil for an additional 2 minutes.
18. 18
    Remove from the heat and pour over the coconut and chopped pecans mixture.
19. 19
    Stir until completely incorporated.
20. 20
    Put in the refrigerator for 1 to 1 1/2 hours to cool and thicken.
21. 21
    For the frosting: In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and cocoa powder with an electric hand mixer on medium-high until light and creamy.
22. 22
    Add in the vanilla.
23. 23
    Add in the milk.
24. 24
    Add 1 cup of the powdered sugar at a time, mixing between each addition.
25. 25
    Add more milk as needed until you reach the desired consistency.
26. 26
    Add the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
27. 27
    To assemble, pull out the centers of the cooled cupcake with a cupcake corer.
28. 28
    Fill with the coconut pecan filling.
29. 29
    Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake.
30. 30
    Place a small amount of coconut pecan filling on top for garnish.