German Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

If someone says it’s time to bake, you’ll never have to twist my arm.

In fact, you won’t even have to look at my arm, unless it’s to watch it gather ingredients and preheat the oven in record time.

So when Foodbuzz partnered with Duncan Hines sent their Featured Publishers coupons to play around with, you better believe I hit the grocery store faster than you can say “chocolate chip.” No, make that German chocolate chip.

These cupcakes are light, moist, fluffy and when you bring them to a party, I promise you that no one will guess there’s no eggs or butter in the cake. The frosting is a different story, because frosting can be a way to show off your skills in the kitchen. Plain ole’ chocolate? Has its time and place, for sure, but sometimes you want to make something really special that you know is going to hit a home run.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CHIP CUPCAKES

Disclaimer: These cupcakes are sure to make you cheerful, get “in the spirit,” want to hang mistletoe, hug your friends and sing silly songs with your family.

Makes 24 cupcakes

For the cupcakes:

• 1 box Duncan Hines Devils Food chocolate cake mix
• 1 15-oz can pumpkin purée (or 2 cups if you make it yourself)
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

For the frosting:

• 1 stick butter (can sub vegan margarine)
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut (I used sweetened, but unsweetened would be fine)
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat the oven to 400˚ and coat two 12-muffin tins with cooking spray.

With an electric mixer, blend pumpkin and cake mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon batter evenly into muffin tin; it will be very thick. Bake until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, about 18 minutes.

While the cupcakes bake, make your frosting by blending all ingredients together until fluffy. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. It may look like there’s not quite enough, but I promise you’ll be able to frost all of your cupcakes and lick the beaters .

So now I’m up to my apron in cupcakes, I found frosting behind my ear this morning and I woke up with a sugar hangover. Some have gone into the freezer, but I need to call in for backup. Wanna come over?

I have 8 more coupons to give away, each for 1 free Duncan Hines product. 8 coupons = 8 winners, so leave a comment and I’ll pick randomly on Friday morning.

Happy baking!