COCONUT RASPBERRY SWIRL CUPCAKES

Coconut Raspberry Swirl Cupcakes image

These sound, look and taste delicious. I have been researching and trying new cupcake recipes-I'm putting together a cookbook here on JAP! Well, these were keepers! They taste as good as they look!! Give them a try this summer!

Provided by Amy Alusa

Categories Cakes

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 24

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Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE:
3/4 lb (3 sticks or 1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter
2 c granulated sugar
5 extra large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp pure almond extract
1 tsp coconut extract
3 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 c buttermilk
14 oz coconut, sweetened, shredded
FOR THE FROSTING:
1 lb cream cheese (16 oz), room temperature
3/4 lb (3 sticks or 1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp pure almond extract
1 1/2 lb powdered sugar, sifted
FOR RASPBERRY FILLING
2 c fresh raspberries
1 c water
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4-1/2 c granulated sugar (depending on how sweet you want it)

Steps:

1. Make the Cupcakes:
2. 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, almond and coconut extracts and mix well.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Make the frosting:
6. 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.
7. For Raspberry Filling:
8. Add the cornstarch to the water and stir so it melts. Then add everything into a medium size pot and bring to a boil until thickens. Use a whisk to mix the berries up. Let it simmer for 15 minutes stirring often. Strain the mixture through a sieve.
9. Make a hole in the top of the cupcake and then fill with raspberry filling. Add 2 tablespoons of the berry sauce to the frosting. Do not stir! Just add it to the piping bag and pipe. The frosting will come out with a nice raspberry swirl!
10. Recipe and photo from: http://sugarandcharm.com/2013/03/coconut-raspberry-swirl-cupcakes.html/