Best Coconut Cupcakes Recipes

COCONUT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.
• Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.
• Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

KEY LIME COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla extract, key lime zest and juice and mix well. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 5 parts total, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold the coconut into the cupcake batter.
• Line a muffin pan with paper liners and fill each liner almost to the top with batter. A spring loaded 1/4 cup ice cream scoop works great for this and ensures the cupcakes are all the same size. Bake for 25 minutes or until the tops begin to brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then transfer cupcakes to a baking rack to cool completely.
• While the cupcakes are cooling you can make the frosting. In a small heat proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, carefully and slowly melt the white chocolate. Remove from heat and let cool until just slightly warm. Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until well combined. Add the salt, vanilla extract, key lime juice, and sour cream and mix until very smooth. Add the melted white chocolate and mix just until incorporated.
• Frost the cupcakes and garnish with a bit of grated key lime zest. Enjoy!
• A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.

COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Line a regular sized muffin tin with cupcake papers.
• Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
• In a measuring cup combine egg whites, coconut milk and extracts.
• Cream together sugar and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed.
• Blend until butter lightens in color and texture, 4 minutes.
• Alternately add dry and wet ingredients, starting and ending with dry, in 3 additions.
• Fold in coconut using a rubber spatula.
• Scoop batter into prepared tin, filling each about 3/4 full.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 25-30 minutes.
• Cool in the pan 5 minutes; remove completely.
• For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until smooth.
• Add melted white chocolate and lime juice; beat to blend.
• Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth (it will be gooey).
• Spread 3 Tbsp frosting on each cupcake.
• Top cupcakes with coconut.

COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH COCONUT CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes:
• Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two 12-cup standard muffin tins with cupcake liners.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and set aside.
• Using a handheld mixer, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time until just combined. Add the vanilla and coconut extracts. Add the buttermilk and the dry ingredients, being careful not to over mix. Mix in the coconut.
• Fill the cupcake liners two-thirds full with batter. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on wire racks before frosting. Keep the oven on.
• For the frosting:
• Using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together until light and smooth. Add the vanilla, and then slowly add the confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time until thoroughly incorporated.
• To assemble:
• Frost the cupcakes generously with about 4 tablespoons of frosting. Garnish with the toasted coconut flakes.

KEY LIME-COCONUT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
• Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
• Beat white sugar and 1/2 cup coconut oil in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and airy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons Key lime juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons Key lime zest, and vanilla extract. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Reduce mixer speed to low. Beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture at a time, alternating with 1/2 the milk and ending with the last 1/3 of the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix. Pour batter into the muffin cups until about 2/3-full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup coconut oil together in a bowl using an electric mixer until creamy and well combined. Mix in 1 1/2 teaspoons Key lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon Key lime zest. Gradually stir in confectioners' sugar. Frost cooled cupcakes.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the flaked coconut until lightly toasted, about 4 minutes. Remove from pan to cool, about 5 minutes. Top frosted cupcakes with the coconut, pressing in lightly.

COCONUT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Chill the can of coconut milk overnight. The next day, make the cakes. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 12-hole muffin tin with muffin cases. Put the coconut oil and sugar in a large bowl and use an electric whisk to beat together for about 5 mins until light and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until fully combined before adding more. Working in three additions, add the flour, alternating with the coconut milk, then add the vanilla extract.
• Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin using an ice cream scoop, then bake for 20-22 mins or until the cakes are golden and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the tin and cool on a wire rack.
• The whipped cream is best made within a few hours of serving. Open the can of coconut milk upside down and pour off the thin liquid. Scoop the thick coconut milk into a large bowl, add the icing sugar and the vanilla, and whisk for 2-3 mins until soft and fluffy. Spread or scoop the whipped cream onto the cupcakes and sprinkle with the desiccated coconut. Best stored in the fridge and eaten within a couple of days.

COCONUT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Place lemon juice in measuring cup and add milk, stir to combine and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk mixture, beating well after each addition. Fold in coconut., Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and extracts until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Frost cupcakes; sprinkle with toasted coconut.

COCONUT-FILLED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For filling, place egg white and salt in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Combine coconut and flour; set aside. Beat egg white on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating on high until glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Gradually fold in coconut mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time; set aside., In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and water. Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full. Drop filling by teaspoonfuls into center of each cupcake. Cover with 2 tablespoons batter., Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the cake portion comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For glaze, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in shortening and chocolate chips until melted. Beat until thickened. Spread over cupcakes and garnish with toasted coconut and chocolate curls.

CARROT-COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cupcakes:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12-cup muffin tin with muffin papers. Whisk sugar, oil, and eggs in large bowl to blend. Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in medium bowl to blend. Stir pineapple, carrots, coconut, and pecans in another medium bowl to blend. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture until just blended. Fold in carrot mixture. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, dividing equally. Bake cupcakes until tops are golden brown and tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely on rack.
• For frosting:
• Melt white chocolate in top of double boiler over barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Using on/off turns, blend cream cheese, butter, lemon peel, and melted white chocolate in processor until smooth. Add powdered sugar; process until smooth. Spread frosting on cupcakes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

COCONUT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper liners.
• Mix sugar, applesauce, and butter together in a bowl.
• Beat egg whites in a glass or metal bowl until medium peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the tip of the peak formed by the egg whites should curl over slightly.
• Stir egg yolks and vanilla extract into applesauce mixture; fold in egg whites. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Beat coconut milk into batter until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in shredded coconut for about 30 seconds. Pour batter into the prepared muffin cups.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

QUICKIE COCONUT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12 portion) muffin tins with paper cupcake liners and set aside.
• In a bowl, using an electric mixer, mix the cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and coconut extract on medium speed until moistened and smooth. Stir in the chopped coconut. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin tins. The batter will nearly fill each liner to the top. Bake until the muffins spring back when lightly touched, or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.
• When cool, put the icing out with spoons or small spatulas along with bowls of the cupcake toppings for the kids to decorate their own cupcakes.
• In the bowl of a large electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, whip the butter on high speed until very soft. Meanwhile, place a large sheet of parchment paper on a work surface. Using a large sifter, sift a pound of confectioners' sugar onto the parchment. This helps prevent clumping, and makes the mixing easier. Lower the speed of the mixer, and, using the parchment as a funnel, pour the sugar into the bowl and mix slowly until combined. Add the milk and mix until combined. Sift the second pound of sugar onto the parchment sheet. Again at low speed, add the sugar and mix well. Once combined, sift the remaining sugar and add it with the vanilla and mix. Once it is combined, turn the mixer speed up and beat the icing until very light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• If desired, divide the icing into smaller batches and color with food coloring.
• Spread the icing on cooled cupcakes while at room temperature. Refrigerate any leftover icing, but be sure to let it come back to room temperature before using. Re-whip the icing to make it fluffy again.
• Yield: about 8 cups, enough for at least 6 dozen cupcakes
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Ease of preparation: easy

COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH ALMOND CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Whisk to combine.
• Beat sugar and butter together using an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract, almond extract, and coconut extract; mix well. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, mixing until incorporated. Fold in coconut.
• Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 15 to 17 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese and shortening together using an electric mixer in a mixing bowl until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until creamy. Mix in vanilla extract and almond extract.
• Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Top each with shredded coconut.

COCONUT & RASPBERRY CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with deep paper cases or a 15-hole bun tin with cake cases. Tip all the cake ingredients except the raspberries into a bowl and beat for 1-2 mins until light and fluffy. Gently fold in the raspberries.
• Divide the mixture between the cases and bake for 18-20 mins (add a couple of extra mins for deep cases), until golden brown and firm to the touch. Leave to cool.
• Beat together the icing sugar, butter and raspberry coulis to make a light, fluffy icing. Spoon or pipe onto the cakes and sprinkle with coconut.

KEY LIME PIE CUPCAKES WITH COCONUT MERINGUE

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. Set the pans aside.
• Prepare the cupcake batter:.
• With a citrus zester or fine grater, zest the lime and reserve one teaspoon. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice over a strainer into a small bowl; you should have two tablespoons. Set aside.
• Separate three of the eggs, place the whites in a large clean mixing bowl and the yolks in another mixing bowl.
• Add the remaining egg, cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil, coconut flavoring and lime zest and juice to the yolks. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping down the sides again if needed. The batter should look well blended.
• Spoon or scoop 1/4 cup batter into each lined cupcake cup, filling it two thirds of the way full. Place the pans in the oven.
• Bake the cupcakes until they are lightly golden and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, 18 to 22 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and place them on wire racks to cool for five minutes. Increase the oven heat to 450°F.
• Run a dinner knife around the edges of the cupcake liners, lift the cupcakes up from the bottoms of the cups using the end of the knife, and pick them out of the cups carefully with your fingertips. Place them on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes before filling.
• Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Place the sweetened condensed milk and Key lime juice in a small bowl and stir to combine. Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a medium tip. Press the tip 1/4 inch into the top center of each cooked cupcake and squeeze the bag to release about 1 tablespoon filling into the cupcake. Scrape off any excess filling with a rubber spatula. Place the cooled cupcakes nearly side by side on a baking sheet.
• Prepare the meringue:.
• Add the cream of tartar to the reserved egg whites and beat with an electric mixer on high speed until frothy, 45 seconds.
• Add the coconut flavoring and one tablespoon of the sugar. Continue beating on high, adding one tablespoon sugar at a time, until the whites form stiff peaks (if you pull the beaters from the meringue, the meringue should extend from the beaters in straight stiff peaks).
• Spoon two tablespoons meringue onto the top of each cupcake and swirl to spread it just to the edges with a short metal spatula or a spoon. Place the pan in the oven. Bake until the meringue is light nutty brown in color, five to six minutes.
• Run a dinner knife around the edges of the cupcake liners, lift the cupcakes up from the bottoms of the cups using the end of the knife, and pick them out of the cups carefully with your fingers. Serve at once, or allow the cupcakes to cool 10 minutes, then serve.

COCONUT-LIME CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 36 cupcake cups with paper liners.
• Beat sugar and butter together in the bowl of an electric stand mixer until fluffy, about 10 minutes. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, adding coconut extract and vanilla extract with the last egg.
• Combine flour, 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and nutmeg in another bowl. Beat into the egg mixture until thoroughly combined; beat in buttermilk and lime juice. Stir in coconut and lime zest.
• Fill each of the prepared cupcake cups with about 1/4 cup of batter using a large cookie scoop.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

VANILLA COCONUT FLOUR CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with 10 paper cupcake liners. For guaranteed crumble-free cupcakes, grease the liners.
• Beat together the oil, sugar, salt, vanilla, and eggs. Add the milk, and whisk until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the coconut flour and baking powder. Add this mixture to the wet ingredients, and stir to combine.
• Evenly divide the batter among the 10 liners, filling each 3/4 full.
• Bake the cupcakes on the center rack of the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove the cupcakes from the oven, and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Turn them out of the pan onto a rack to cool completely.
• Frost the cupcakes with your favorite frosting.

SALTED CARAMEL CUPCAKES WITH PECAN COCONUT BRITTLE CRUMBLE AND CARAMEL SWISS BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two standard muffin pans with 24 cupcake liners.
• For the salted caramel: Combine the sugar, 1/3 cup water and the corn syrup in a small saucepan. Stir with a wooden spoon and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer, swirling the pot occasionally, until the mixture is a beautiful amber color (watch closely). Once the desired color is reached, immediately add the butter and stir with a wooden spoon until completely incorporated. Remove from the heat. Add the heavy cream and stir to incorporate. Stir in the coarse salt. Pour 1/2 cup of the salted caramel into a small bowl or measuring cup, and the remainder into another bowl. Cool completely, stirring occasionally. (You can speed up the cooling by putting the caramel into the refrigerator, but it must be pourable when you are ready to assemble the cupcakes.)
• For the brittle: Butter a small baking sheet and set aside. In a small but deep saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter and 2 tablespoons water. Bring to a full boil over high heat, and boil until a candy thermometer reaches 280 degrees F. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the baking soda, and then the pecans. Pour onto the prepared pan and spread with a rubber spatula. Top with the coconut. Allow to cool. Break the brittle into pieces of desired size.
• For the cupcakes: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder and kosher salt and set aside. Combine the milk and vanilla and set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Once incorporated, add the eggs, one at a time, at low speed. Be sure to incorporate after each addition, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Do not over beat. Once incorporated, add the flour mixture and the milk mixture. Alternate with three parts flour and two parts milk, being sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary (we don't want any butter chunks stuck to the bottom). Using a 1/4-cup ice cream scoop, fill each cupcake liner with batter.
• Bake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer the pans to cooling racks and cool for about 5 minutes, and then transfer the cupcakes to the racks to cool completely before filling and frosting.
• While the cupcakes are baking, make the buttercream: Combine the sugar and egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer. Place the bowl over simmering water and whisk continuously until the sugar is melted. Remove from the heat, place under the mixer with a whisk attachment and whisk at medium-high speed until soft peaks form and it cools to room temperature. Add the butter and beat until incorporated. With the mixer running, slowly beat in the 1/2 cup reserved salted caramel until the mixture is homogenous. Set aside at cool room temperature until you are ready to frost the cupcakes.
• To assemble: Use a small serrated knife, core each cupcake about 1 1/4 inches wide at the top and halfway into the cake. (Discard the cores-or nibble while you work.) Fill each with about 1 tablespoon of the remaining salted caramel. Sprinkle with about 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Frost each cupcake with a generous amount of caramel Swiss buttercream and garnish with crumbled pecan coconut brittle. Eat.

COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH WHIPPED COCONUT MOUSSE FILLING AND COCONUT BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the convection oven to 325 degrees F or a standard oven to 350 degrees F.
• In large mixer bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy with a heavy duty mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix thoroughly after each addition. Add the coconut extract and mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add half of the flour to the mixer bowl along with 1/2 cup of the half-and-half. Mix until the flour is mixed in, scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the rest of flour mixture and the other 1/2 cup half-and-half. Mix until the batter is smooth and all of the flour lumps are gone. Fold in the coconut flakes.
• Fill 24 cupcake liners half full and bake for 20 minutes in the convection oven or 28 minutes in the standard oven. The tops of the cupcakes should be lightly browned. Check the cupcakes to make sure no batter sticks to a wooden toothpick when inserted into the cupcake. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• For the mousse filling: In large mixer bowl, beat the heavy cream, half-and-half, coconut extract and pudding mix until light and fluffy using a heavy duty mixer. It should have the consistency of whipped cream. Gently fold in the coconut using a plastic spatula. Put the filling in a pastry bag or zipper bag with a corner cut off.
• For the coconut buttercream: In large mixer bowl, beat together the butter and half of the powdered sugar using heavy duty mixer. Add the half-and-half and the rest of the powdered sugar, along with the coconut extract, and mix well. If the frosting is thicker than you would like, add 1 teaspoon of additional half-and-half at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the frosting reaches the correct consistency. The thickness may depend on the humidity levels in your region. Put into a pastry bag.
• To assemble: Make a hole in the middle of each cupcake using a sharp knife. Be sure and leave a small amount of cake in the bottom of the hole. Fill the cupcakes with the mousse filling. Frost with coconut buttercream. You may top the cupcakes with more flake coconut or toasted coconut as desired.
• Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.

COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• To Make the Cake
• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. and set oven rack in the middle position. Lightly coat the surface of a twelve-cup cupcake pan with a nonstick spray and line each cup with a foil or paper liner.
• 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut cream, egg whites, and vanilla extract to combine. In another bowl, or over parchment paper, sift together the flour and baking powder.
• 3. Beat the butter and salt together in an electric mixer fitted with a whisk until creamy and smooth and while continuing to beat add sugar in a steady stream. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
• 4. Add one-third of the dry ingredients along with one-third of the coconut cream mixture and beat on low speed until just combined. Add the remaining dry ingredients and coconut cream mixture in two alternating batches, beating between each addition to fully incorporate. Add the dried, ground coconut and sweetened dried coconut with the last addition of dry ingredients. Scrape down the bowl and give a final stir with a sturdy rubberspatula.
• 5. Fill each cupcake cup about two-thirds full and knock the pan on the countertop once or twice to release air bubbles and even the surface of the batter. Place pan in oven. After 10-12 minutes, rotate the pan 180 degrees and continue to bake until cake springs back when lightly pressed in the center and a cake tester or wooden skewer emerges with crumbs clinging to it. Total baking time will be 20-22 minutes.
• 6. Cool pan on a cooling rack for 5 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pan to the rack and let cool completely.
• To make the frosting
• 1. Melt white chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of water that is not quite simmering. Make sure the bottom of the bowl rests several inches above the surface of the water. Stir chocolate until smooth and let cool to room temperature on the countertop.
• 2. Sift the powdered sugar into a medium-sized bowl. Using a whisk, stir in the milk until all of the sugar has dissolved and mixture is smooth. Add butter, vanilla extract, and salt and continue to beat until smooth and shiny. With a rubber spatula, stir in the cooled white chocolate.
• 3. Place frosting in the refrigerator until cool enough to frost the cupcakes, about 30 minutes. (Frosting can be kept for a day in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Refrigerated frosting will need to soften at room temperature before spreading.)

VANILLA BEAN-COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH COCONUT FROSTING

Steps:

• For reduced coconut milk:
• Bring coconut milk to boil in large deep saucepan over medium-high heat (coconut milk will boil up high in pan). Reduce heat to mediumlow; boil until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, stirring occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat; cool completely. Transfer to small bowl. Cover; chill (coconut milk will settle slightly as it cools). DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
• For cupcakes:
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line eighteen 1/3-cup muffin cups with paper liners. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar; beat on medium-high speed until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Beat in seeds from vanilla bean and remaining egg. Add half of flour mixture; mix on low speed just until blended. Add 1 cup reduced coconut milk; mix just until blended. Add remaining flour mixture; mix on low speed just until blended. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake cupcakes until tops spring back when gently touched and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes in pans to rack; cool 10 minutes. Carefully remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely on rack.
• For frosting:
• Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar, 1/3 cup reduced coconut milk, seeds from vanilla bean, and salt. Beat on medium-low speed until blended, scraping down sides of bowl. Increase to mediumhigh and beat until light and fluffy.
• Using pastry bag fitted with large star tip, pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. (Alternatively, top each cupcake with 2 tablespoons frosting. Using small offset spatula, swirl frosting over top of cupcakes, leaving 1/2-inch plain border.) Sprinkle with coconut. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Store in airtight containers; chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Available at many supermarkets and at Indian, Southeast Asian, and Latin markets.