CUPCAKES - COCONUT WITH COCONUT CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

  • 18

Ingredients

  • CUPCAKES:
  • 3/4 C. butter
  • 1 1/2 C. sugar
  • 6 large egg whites
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. coconut extract
  • 3 C. cake flour
  • 1 T. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 C. plus 3 T. coconut milk, divided
  • 1 T. amaretto liquer
  • COCONUT CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 C. butter, softened
  • 1 T. coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. coconut extract
  • 16 oz. pkg. powdered sugar

Preparation

Step 1

FOR CAKE:
1. Preheat oven to 350*F.

2. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy and creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until well blended. Add egg whites, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add extracts, beat well.

3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with 1 C. coconut milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.

4. Divide batter evenly among 18 paper-lined cups of muffin pan. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until batter is set but centers of cupcakes still look slightly wet. (Do not overcook.) Cool in pans 10 minutes; transfer to wire racks.

5. Combine amaretto liquer and remaining 3 T. coconut milk; stir well. Spoon mixture evenly over tops of warm cupcakes, spreading with back of spoon. Cool completely.

FOR FROSTING:
6. Beat first 5 ingredients at high speed with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth. Add powdered sugar; beat until well blended, stopping to scrape down sides.

7. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle toasted coconut. Store at room temperature.