COCONUT DREAM CUPCAKES

Coconut Dream Cupcakes image

My daughter, Elizabeth, came up with this incredible recipe. The cream cheese in the middle is a fun surprise when someone takes their first bite. -Julie Flournoy, Laurelville, OH

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 1-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1-1/3 cups sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
6 tablespoons butter, softened
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup 2% milk
FROSTING:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and coconut extract until smooth., In a large bowl, cream butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Spoon 1 rounded tablespoon of batter into each prepared cup. Drop cream cheese mixture by scant tablespoonfuls into center of each cupcake. Cover with remaining batter, about 1 scant tablespoon each., Bake 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the cake portion comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, water and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Frost cupcakes; sprinkle with coconut. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 355 calories, Fat 20g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 73mg cholesterol, Sodium 232mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (29g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.