RED VELVET CUPCAKES WITH COCONUT FROSTING

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting image

There's no better way to celebrate being together than with these fun-loving cupcakes. -Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon white vinegar
FROSTING:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, divided

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. Stir in food coloring and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Combine buttermilk and vinegar. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beating well after each addition., Fill foil or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire rack to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in 1 cup coconut. Frost cupcakes. , Toast remaining coconut; sprinkle over cupcakes. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 296 calories, Fat 18g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 59mg cholesterol, Sodium 260mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.