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Home » Recipes » Chocolate Desserts

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Dated: March 8, 2018 Last Modified: October 20, 2022 This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes recipe is light and fluffy! It's made with chocolate chips, topped with ganache and toasted coconut.

This post is sponsored by Nestle but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I decided to celebrate the arrival of spring this year with these Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes. You'd be hard pressed to find a better combination than chocolate and coconut!

Coconut chocolate chip cupcakes with toasted coconut on white towel.

I'm one of those people who genuinely enjoys winter. I love how the world quiets down, we can binge-watch Netflix and not feel bad about it, eat our weight in soup, and go cross-country skiing. I even love a good snow storm.

I am, as most Minnesotans do this time of year, starting to itch for spring. The days are getting longer, we start dreaming of firing up the grill, and we begin to plan our gardens.

One of the things I get most excited about is getting outside and taking nature photos. And nature photos are always more fun to take when the air isn't hurting your face.

Flavors change along with the seasons as well. Dark and heavy winter spices and dishes make way for lighter flavors like citrus and coconut. One of my favorite flavor combos is chocolate and coconut and these cupcakes are packed with both of them.

Jump to:
  • How To Make Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
  • Add The Chocolate Chips To The Batter
  • How Long Do Chocolate Chip Cupcakes Take To Bake?
  • How To Make Toasted Coconut
  • How To Make Chocolate Ganache
  • Top The Coconut Chocolate Cupcakes
  • How Long Do These Cupcakes Last?
  • Can They Be Frozen?
  • Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Flour mixture, egg mixture, and coconut milk in three separate bowls.

How To Make Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

These Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes are seriously dreamy. They're light and fluffy and full of chocolate-y coconut goodness. They're also really easy to make. I'm all about simple decadent desserts.

  1. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups gluten free flour blend (or AP flour if not gluten free), 1 tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Mix these ingredients together with a fork.
  3. Using a Kitchen Aid mixer whisk attachment or a hand mixer, beat 1 stick of softened butter and ¾ cup sugar. Beat the butter and sugar for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
  4. Add 2 eggs to the butter and sugar, one at a time. Add one egg and beat for 30 seconds and then repeat.
  5. In a third bowl combine 1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk and 1 tsp. coconut extract. Stir the coconut milk mixture until it is soft and creamy.
  6. The next step is to combine all of these ingredients into one bowl. This process is done in stages to ensure that everything gets mixed together correctly.
  7. Add half of the flour mixture to the butter and stir. Then add half of the coconut mixture and stir.
  8. Repeat with the rest of the flour and remaining coconut milk. The batter should be thick but not dense.
Cupcake batter in ceramic bowl next to opened bag of mini chocolate chips spilling out onto white surface.

Add The Chocolate Chips To The Batter

Now for the good stuff. It's time for the chocolate chips. I'm in love with these Nestlé® Toll House® semi-sweet mini morsels. They're perfect for fun treats like these Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes.

They bake perfectly in the batter and add these nice little pops of chocolate flavor.

  1. Add 1 cup of the mini morsels to the bowl and fold them into the batter.
  2. Try not to over-mix or the batter will become to become tough.

These cupcakes are gluten free and uses a gluten free flour blend such as Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Flour or Cup 4 Cup. I love gluten free flour blends such as these, because they work just as AP flour would and require no complicated substitutions or ingredients.

Feel free to use AP flour if gluten is not an issue for you.

Bags of chocolate chips on store shelf.

You can pick up a bag (or two!) of these mini morsels or any number of Nestlé® Toll House® chocolate chip goodness at your local Walmart. Trying to decide between chocolate chip varieties is one of the best kind of problems!

Baked chocolate chip cupcakes in muffin tin.

How Long Do Chocolate Chip Cupcakes Take To Bake?

  1. Divide the batter evenly into the 12 muffin cups. There should be enough batter to fill all 12 cups nearly to the top.
  2. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rotate the pan halfway through the cooking time. This will help the cupcakes bake evenly. My oven tends to bake one half more aggressively than the other and rotating the pan ensures that they all end up equal.
  3. The cupcakes should be lightly golden on top and spring back to the touch. You can also use a toothpick to check them.
  4. Remove from oven when finished and allow to cool completely.
Toasted coconut in round metal cake pan.

How To Make Toasted Coconut

  1. These cupcakes are finished with a toasted coconut topping. Toasting the coconut brings out its natural nutty flavor and adds a little bit of crunch to the top.
  2. As the cupcakes are cooling, simply place 1 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes onto a baking sheet.
  3. Place the pan in the oven for 5-6 minutes. Shake the pan every 2 minutes or so and rotate it to prevent the coconut from burning.

You'll want to keep a close eye on the flakes as they are toasting.

Once they are slightly golden brown remove the pan from the oven and set aside.

Chocolate ganache in small glass bowl next to wooden spoon and bag of chocolate chips.

How To Make Chocolate Ganache

These cupcakes are topped with a chocolate ganache as opposed to a traditional frosting. If you're a faithful reader of this blog you know that I love chocolate ganache. I use it to top cookies, cakes, and even doughnuts. It's got such a rich, deep flavor.

This ganache is extra special, though, because it uses coconut milk instead of heavy whipping cream. However, you CAN use heavy whipping cream instead of coconut milk if that's what you've got on hand!

  1. To make the ganache, heat a few cups of water in a double boiler.
  2. Once the water has reached a low boil, add 1 cup of chocolate chips and allow to melt slightly.
  3. Slowly add ½ cup of unsweetened coconut milk and continue to stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour the ganache into a small bowl when it's finished.

Love chocolate? Don't miss these recipes!

  • Mini Peppermint Chocolate Cheesecakes
  • Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Doughnuts
  • Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars
  • Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
  • Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Toasted coconut chocolate chip cupcakes on white surface next to bag of chocolate chips.

Top The Coconut Chocolate Cupcakes

To finish the process simply dip the tops of the cooled cupcakes into the bowl of chocolate ganache. Swirl the cupcakes tops around in the chocolate until they are completely coated.

Sprinkle a few teaspoons of the toasted coconut on top of the chocolate. The coconut should stick to the chocolate.

Looking for non-chocolate desserts? Don't miss these!

  • Baked Glazed Lemon Doughnuts
  • Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie
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Coconut chocolate chip cupcakes with toasted cupcakes on white towel.

How Long Do These Cupcakes Last?

The cupcakes should last 3-4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Be sure to allow the cupcakes to cool completely before transferring to the fridge for storage.

It's important to store them in the fridge and not at room temperature, as the chocolate ganache contains heavy whipping cream.

Can They Be Frozen?

I do not recommend freezing these cupcakes, as they would likely dry out in the freezer.

These cupcakes are perfect for spring get-togethers, parties, and holidays! Cupcakes are one of those things that are meant to be shared with others. They're a fun, celebratory treat.

It doesn't get any better than coconut and it DEFINITELY doesn't get any better than chocolate.

Love desserts? Check out these recipes!

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Puppy Chow
  • Halloween Chocolate Cookies
  • No Churn Cookies & Cream Ice Cream

Looking For More Coconut Desserts? Don't Miss These!

7-Layer Magic Bars

Chocolate Macarons

Coconut Cookies with Rum Glaze

Coconut chocolate chip cupcakes with toasted coconut on white towel.

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Christine Rooney
This Coconut Chocolate Chip Cupcakes recipe is light and fluffy! It's made with chocolate chips, topped with ganache and toasted coconut.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 371 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For The Cupcakes:

  • 1 ½ cup gluten free flour blend or AP flour if not gluten free
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • pinch kosher salt
  • 1 stick softened butter
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup coconut milk unsweetened
  • 1 tsp. coconut extract
  • 1 cup Nestlé® Toll House® semi-sweet mini morsels
  • 1 cup coconut flakes unsweetened

For The Chocolate Ganache:

  • 1 cup Nestlé® Toll House® semi-sweet morsels
  • ½ cup coconut milk unsweetened

Instructions
 

For The Cupcakes:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  • In large mixing bowl, add 1 ½ cups gluten free flour blend (or AP flour if not gluten free), 1 tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Mix together with fork.
  • Using the whisk attachment on a Kitchen Aid stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat 1 stick of softened butter and ¾ cup sugar for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs, one at a time. Add 1 egg and beat for 30 seconds and then repeat.
  • Add 1 cup of softened unsweetened coconut milk and 1 tsp. coconut extract to a small bowl. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • Add half of the flour mixture and half of the coconut milk mixture to the butter mixture and stir to combine. Repeat with the second half of the flour and coconut milk. Mix just until combined. The batter should be thick but not dense.
  • Fold 1 cup of Nestlé® Toll House® semi-sweet mini morsels into the batter. Stir just until combined.
  • Divide the batter evenly into 12 cupcakes. Fill the cupcake liners nearly to the top.
  • Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through the cooking process to ensure that all the cupcakes bake evenly. The cupcakes should be slightly golden on top when finished and spring back to the touch. You can also check them with a toothpick. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

For The Toasted Coconut:

  • While the cupcakes are cooling place 1 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes onto a baking sheet. Place the pan in the oven for 5-6 minutes, shaking the pan every 2 minutes or so to prevent burning. Remove from oven when all the coconut is toasted and set aside.

For The Chocolate Ganache:

  • Heat a few cups of water in a double boiler. Once the water has reached a low boil add 1 cup of Nestlé® Toll House® semi-sweet chocolate chips to the pan and allow to melt slightly. Add ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk (or heavy whipping cream) to the chocolate chips and stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour the mixture into a small bowl.
  • Dip the top of a cooled cupcake into the bowl of chocolate ganache and swirl around until the top is coated. Sprinkle a few teaspoons of toasted coconut on top of the chocolate. The coconut should stick to the chocolate.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Brina's Bites.
Feel free to substitute heavy whipping cream for coconut milk if that's what you've got on hand.
These cupcakes are gluten free and uses a gluten free flour blend such as Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Flour or Cup 4 Cup. Gluten free flour blends work just as AP flour would and require no complicated substitutions or ingredients.
Feel free to use AP flour if gluten is not an issue for you.

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcal
Keyword coconut cupcakes, chocolate coconut cupcakes, toasted coconut cupcakes, chocolate chip cupcakes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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About Christine

My name is Christine Rooney. I live in rural Minnesota with my husband. I own and operate The Rustic Foodie and work as a freelance photographer and writer. I like my food to be like anything else in life - down to earth and full of flavor.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Theresa

    March 08, 2018 at 4:54 pm

    These look so good! I wish my daughter liked coconut. I will just make half the batch with coconut, and half without.

    Reply
    • Christine

      March 12, 2018 at 4:03 am

      That would definitely work and they should be just as tasty!

      Reply
  2. Jenni LeBaron

    March 16, 2018 at 11:13 pm

    Yes, please! These look awesome. I love all of the many ways to include extra coconut in these!

    Reply
    • Christine

      March 28, 2018 at 4:18 am

      You can never have too much coconut, right? 🙂

      Reply
  3. Liz

    March 29, 2018 at 6:22 am

    5 stars
    Coconut and chocolate are one of my favorite pairings! Such yummy cupcakes!

    Reply
    • Christine

      April 05, 2018 at 4:00 am

      Thanks, Liz!

      Reply
  4. Claire

    March 29, 2018 at 9:35 am

    5 stars
    Coconut and chocolate is just the best combination!
    I love the chocolate ganache topping as well as chips in the cupcakes!!! Double chocolate YUM!!!!

    Reply
    • Christine

      April 05, 2018 at 3:59 am

      You can never have too much chocolate, right?!

      Reply
  5. Ana Hernández

    July 01, 2018 at 3:07 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe twice, and the only word I have to describe it is PERFECTION!!
    It’s got a perfect balance between the sweetness, the puffiness and the humidity of the bread, these cupcakes are heaven on earth!!????????????

    Reply
    • Christine

      July 03, 2018 at 5:15 pm

      Hi Ana - Thank you so much for the feedback and I'm so glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Nina

    April 24, 2020 at 4:29 pm

    Would vanilla extract work in a pinch if coconut extract isn’t available?

    Reply
    • Christine

      April 24, 2020 at 5:26 pm

      Hi Nina - Absolutely! That should be no problem at all. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Hannah

    April 09, 2021 at 8:56 am

    If I don't want to use chocolate chips should I double the amount of coconut?

    Reply
    • Christine

      April 09, 2021 at 2:44 pm

      Hi Hannah - I think there should be enough coconut flavor in these cupcakes as the recipe uses coconut milk, coconut extract, and coconut flakes. You could probably add some coconut flakes to the batter if you like but it probably isn't necessary. I'd love to hear if you give them a try! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Camilla Hawkins

    June 25, 2021 at 9:27 am

    5 stars
    What a fab flavour combination, my family will be all over these cupcakes! Thank you for sharing my cookies:-)

    Reply

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Thanks for stopping by! My name is Christine Rooney. I live in rural Minnesota with my husband. I own and operate The Rustic Foodie and work as a freelance photographer and writer. I like my food to be like anything else in life - down to earth and full of flavor.

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