Get your chocolate and coffee fix with a Mocha Pecan Cupcake featuring white whole wheat flour, maple syrup and coconut oil.
Back when I shared about my family’s beach trips and my need for Shirley Temples and Frozen Custard, I totally forgot about one other essential component of a perfect trip to the coast. & that’s a Mocha Shake from Port City Java.
It’s essential that each trip involves multiple shakes – one when we get there, several throughout our stay, and one for the road trip home.
One time, on our way home, I had a little incident with my Mocha Shake.
I remember having on these awkward olive capri pants and being in a grumpy mood. After retrieving my freshly blended large Mocha Shake, I proceeded back to the car. I reached for the car door handle – and then – splat! I dropped my shake all over my pants and the cement ๐
But just like always, my mom took care of things by proceeding back in and getting me a fresh shake.
After slurping down my shake, my mood had no other option but to improve ๐
I’m sure these cupcakes could have a similar effect.
They are slightly healthier than your regular cupcake, since they incorporate white whole wheat flour, maple syrup and coconut oil. They get their coffee flavor from a secret ingredient – Beardy Boys’ Pecan Joe Pecan Butter! Also, the frosting doesn’t have traditional powdered sugar – it’s just Pecans, Maple Syrup and Pecan Smash Pecan Butter! I was worried this frosting wouldn’t work, but to my surprise it was a winner and complements these Mocha Pecan Cupcakes.
Do you have a favorite coffee drink?
Ingredients
- 1.25 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup cane sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 150 g vanilla soy yogurt
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cashew milk or your favorite nondairy milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp Pecan Joe or sub 2 tbsp almond butter, and add 1 tsp instant coffee or espresso powder to dry ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, plus additional for topping
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, plus additional for topping
- 2 tbsp Pecan Smash, or 2 tbsp chunky almond butter
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two muffin tins.
- In a medium bowl or measuring, combine flour, cocoa powder, cane sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In a large bowl, combine soy yogurt, cashew milk, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract and nut butter. Stir until incorporated.
- Fold in dry ingredients, mixing until most lumps are eliminated. Fold in chopped pecans. Divide batter among muffin tins and bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and cupcakes bounce back when pressed.
- Allow to cool on wire rack.
- In a food processor, combine pecan butter and pecans. Slowly add maple syrup. Add just enough water to reach desired consistency.
- Once cupcakes are cool, spread frosting over cupcakes and top with chocolate chips and chopped pecans, if desired.
Yield: 18 Cupcakes
Disclosure: I received free Pecan Butterย from Beardy Boysย in exchange for developing a recipe. As always, all opinions and recipes are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support The Emotional Baker!
These sound so good! Can you send me a batch? Lol! Ugh and I’m the queen of spilling. I sometimes joke that I must be the most careless person.
I’m like that too!! Thanks Megan ๐
I’ve had my fair share of spilled shakes, drinks, and just about everything else. Luckily your mom was there to the rescue! These cupcakes look delicious! Love that they’re healthier and filled with mocha flavors!
Thanks Gayle! I spill stuff daily ๐
Anything that meets my need for coffee and chocolate – I’m in!! Love these cupcakes!!
Thanks Annie!
Just last week I picked up a coffee and as I was opening the door, it feel out of my hands and onto the ground and it was like every single ounce of liquid had vanished. Ugh. Happens, I guess!
These cupcakes look so good. Love the frosting! Wish I had one of these right now with my coffee ๐
Oh no!! I hate that ๐ Thanks Dawn!
Mocha pecan is sounding like a mighty fine flavor combo!! Yummmo!
Yay! Thanks Rebecca ๐
Gah, there is nothing worse than dropping something you were just about to enjoy the shhhh out of! Womp Womp. Sounds like you have a fabulous mother who saved the day… and your mood! ๐ LOVE these cupcakes, girlfriend!! Healthier cupcakes with coffee AND chocolate? Who could say no? Cheers!
Exactly! Thanks Cheyanne ๐
I love chocolate and coffee together. Is there anything better! Looks tasty!
I don’t think so ๐ Thanks Karen!
Leave it to mom to save the day! Love the sound of these cupcakes Megan and the fact that you healthied them up a bit from the regular sugary cupcake! Love the mocha pecan combo.
Thanks Mary Ann ๐
I don’t drink coffee, but love the baked goods flavoured with coffee..these cupcakes look so inviting!
Thanks Angie! It’s always fun to make coffee flavored treats ๐
Mocha pecan rocks
Right-o
Oh my goodness…the deliciousness! I love anything mocha, and when you add that pecan to the mix — HEAVEN!
It is a great combo. Thanks Blair ๐
Your mom was so nice to take care of you by getting you another shake — spilled drinks are the worst (especially when it’s my coffee). ๐ These cupcakes look delicious and remind me of my favorite german chocolate!
German chocolate is delicious! I’ll have to make that next ๐ Thanks Marcie!
All of your photos lately make me want to reach through the screen! I can never turn down a cupcake and these mocha pecan cupcakes are no exception. They look amazing!
You are too sweet Ashley ๐ & I agree, it’s hard to refuse a cupcake! Thank you!
These cupcakes are sure to lift my mood! I love that these have pecan butter in them! I’m definitely going to need to whip up some of that soon ๐
You should. It’s so delicious! Thanks Amy ๐
These cupcakes would put anyone in a great mood….and they’d be a whole lot messy if they were to spill! ๐
ha ha! You’re right! Thanks Kathy ๐
These mocha pecan cupcakes look so pretty and delicious. Nothing can beat the combo of coffee and chocolate. Also love how easy they are.
It is a great combo! Thanks Anu ๐
Wow, I want these (and the mocha milkshake, lol) with my coffee this morning! Coffee, chocolate and pecans! Sign me up! Take care.
These would make a delicious breakfast ๐ Thanks Stacey!
You had me at pecan butter! These cupcakes sound amazing.
ha ha! Thanks Nicole ๐
I used to just love black coffee and espresso…but then I worked at that green mermaid coffee company for like three years and became addicted to sugary white mochas. Now I only have those as a treat. Of course, this is a much better kind of treat. Hey isn’t your marathon coming up soon? Have so much fun ๐
Oooh – white mochas sound delicious ๐
That’s so awesome you remembered about the upcoming marathon!! I’m still injured, so I won’t be running this year. Maybe the next (or the one after that ๐ )
Thanks so much, Annie!!!
Yummmmmm! I love the sound of pecans and mocha in a cupcake ๐
Thanks Zainab!!
I totally spill everything, so I can relate to your shake incident. Thank goodness for your sweet mom getting you another. These cupcakes look fantastic!
Spilling’s no fun, but cupcakes are ๐ Thanks Rachelle!!
Well, at least the pants were awkward. No major loss there, right? Love these cupcakes!
ha ha!! Exactly Mir!! I actually just saw the belt that went with them. Thank you ๐
Most times, I am the clutz in our home – why just this weekend my daughter doubled over laughing at me when I took a slip and slide across our floor! Thankfully, I didn’t have any food with me as I sure would be grumpy if I spilled what I was about to eat or drink. I am a sucker for a good straight up hot Mocha! Though Mocha cupcakes and mocha shakes would put me in one heck of an awesome mood too! By the way, that powder sugar free frosting has me wanting to run my finger through it! Love how well it complements your Mocha cupcakes!
I’ve taken my fair share of falls, too. Mochas of any variety can improve your day ๐ Thanks so much, Shashi!
Pecan butter sounds dreamy girl!! I love a good cupcake and these are seriously calling my name! Looks so delicious!
Cupcakes are the best! Thanks Ami ๐
I love how Fall festive these mocha cupcakes are! Perfect to take to a potluck dinner for dessert!
Thanks Pamela!
Oh no! I am the worst about dropping things like that! Such a klutz! haha But I love that your mom got you another one! ๐ And these cupcakes! They sound fantastic!!
Thanks Ashley ๐
I’m one of those weirdos that don’t drink coffee (even after having kids!). But, I do love some coffee-flavored desserts so these cupcakes are right up my alley! Please send me a dozen to taste test. ๐
Ok – I’ll see what I can do ๐ Thanks Eva!
Oh, of course! Every proper trip needs at least 4 shakes. ๐ Moms and shakes are totally the best solution to any grumpy mood. In that order, of course. ๐ Megan, I’m on a super slow internet connection right now, but I was just totally waiting for the pics to load. And load they did–with my drool too. Attractive, I know. Ha. These look and sound so good! Send over a double batch please! ๐
ha ha! You are too funny, Demeter! Sending a batch your way ๐
Lovely cupcakes Megan…I’m definitely trying them in the weekend ๐
Yay! Enjoy ๐
Haha! Totally got a chuckle out of the mocha shake story…and the awkward olive pants! Yes to awkward clothes as a kid. What in the world were we (or our parents!) thinking?? I have some pretty good doozies of awkwardness when it comes to childhood photos. Haha. But you know what? I’ll still go back and put on some awkward clothes if it means getting one of these cupcakes! They sound (and look) fabulous! ๐
Ha ha! I would too! Thanks David ๐
THAT topping!! This is such a beautiful combo Megan!
Thanks so much, Jessica ๐
I literally just went like mmmmmm when I clicked on this recipe. Omg that topping looks incredible girl.
ha ha!! Thanks Allie ๐
Yum! These look delicious, reminds me of German chocolate cake! I love that you used coconut oil, I really need to start baking with that more often. ๐
I’ve only baked with it a few times, but I’m always happy with the results ๐ Thanks Katie!