Words Joan Saunders
Photos Sarah Hartley Photography
These are the cupcakes I have made for myself for the past few birthdays. I think they’re fabulous and, with a few colourful decorations, they’re perfect as a springtime treat. I know that coconut may not be everyone’s favourite, but it’s a light, somewhat unexpected choice in terms of a cupcake, and I love it.
What I’ve learned about baking cupcakes is that if you crank up the heat for the first five minutes, then turn it down to the regular baking temperature, you get those gorgeous tall domes that look more impressive. And when you top these little lovelies with some rich cream cheese icing and toasted coconut, you’ve created an impressive dessert. I like to add a seasonal decoration to the top or use the coconut to create a nest with some small Easter eggs tucked inside.
I’ve found that people are always pleased with a cupcake (or two), as it’s a treat to have your own special little dessert. For some occasions I’ve made two types of cupcakes so people can pick which flavour they’d prefer. But I know that I will always choose these tasty, light and lovely coconut cupcakes, even if I have to make them for myself.
Little Lovely Coconut Cupcakes
(makes 18-24 cupcakes)
For the cupcakes:
2 ½ cups cake flour (or all purpose flour)
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
2 cups sugar
1 cup unsalted butter,
room temperature
1 ¾ tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs, room temperature
1 cup full fat unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup sweetened
shredded coconut
For the icing:
¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
6 cups icing sugar (or to desired consistency)
1 ¾ tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp unsweetened full fat coconut milk
To decorate:
¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut (toasted if desired)
small flowers or Easter eggs, or other decorations of choice
Preheat oven to 400°F. Put cupcake liners in two 12-cup muffin pans.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a larger bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes. Beat in vanilla, then add eggs, one at a time. Beat until each egg is well combined before adding the next one. Using a spatula, stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed during the process.
Put the mixer down to low speed, then add in the flour mixture, alternating with the coconut milk. Then scrape down the bowl and add in the coconut, stirring it in. Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full.
Bake at 400° for 5 minutes, then turn down the temperature to 350° and bake for 18-20 minutes more. The initial blast of higher heat will make the cupcakes taller. The total baking time is about 23-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the centre of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for a few minutes, then remove them carefully from the pans and cool completely on wire racks before icing them.
For the icing:
In a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer, or in a bowl using a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy. With the mixer on low speed, mix in the icing sugar until very well combined. I like to sift the icing sugar first so it’s not lumpy. Add the vanilla and coconut milk, then beat on medium speed for about 1 minute until it’s nice and fluffy.
Pipe on the icing or smooth it on however you prefer. Top with the coconut (or toasted coconut) and any decorations of your choice.
You can toast the coconut in the oven or in a frying pan on the top of the stove. In the oven? Preheat oven to 325° and put the coconut on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for a couple of minutes, then gently stir the coconut and bake for a couple more minutes. Keep an eye on the coconut, as once it starts to toast it browns quickly.
Or, on top of the stove works too. Put the coconut in a pan on the stovetop on medium heat. Stir it often and keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t get too brown.
Adapted from: www.preppykitchen.com/coconut-cupcakes/.
