TROPICAL PIÑA COLADA CUPCAKES

Soft and tender coconut cupcakes topped with a luscious pineapple cream cheese frosting. These tropical piña colada cupcakes are a sweet escape!

How was your 4th? We spent most of it driving from Florida to Virginia, and then getting semi-settled into our new place. While we didn’t stay up for fireworks, we did see fireflies, and the kids absolutely loved them! I know I haven’t been super consistent lately. But with the husband gone for the next 3 months, and us moving, and a baby on the way, things are kind of chaotic. So bare with me, I will be posting more frequently once our internet gets set up (hello from Starbucks)!

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE CUPCAKES:

1/4 c. unsalted butter, room temperature

1/4 c. unrefined coconut oil, solid-state (not liquid)

1 c. granulated sugar

3 large egg whites, room temperature

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. coconut extract

1  3/4 c. cake flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. kosher sea salt

1/2 c. full-fat sour cream

1/2 c. canned coconut milk

1/2 c. sweetened shredded coconut

1/2 c. sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

FOR THE FROSTING:

½ c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

¼ tsp. kosher sea salt

1½ tsp. vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

3 c. powdered sugar

¼ c. crushed or minced pineapple, drained

3 tbsp. pineapple juice (from crushed pineapple)

8 oz. (1 block) original cream cheese, room temperature for 30 minutes

FOR GARNISH (OPTIONAL):

Additional toasted coconut

Additional crushed pineapple

Maraschino cherries

Umbrella toothpicks

Jumbo straws or striped straws

 

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat the oven to 35o degrees. Line a standard size muffin pan with cupcake liners, and a second pan with 3 liners. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter and coconut oil on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 2-3 minutes or until pale. Add the egg whites (they do not need to be beaten separately), vanilla extract, and coconut extract, mix until combined.
• For full instructions please see : lifemadesimplebakes.com

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