Friday, September 10, 2010

Coconut Cream Cupcakes

Another birthday for Miguel.  It feels like yesterday when I met him.  Actually, it wasn't yesterday,  it was 32 years ago.  Thirty two coconut or carrot cakes later, he still requests one or the other each year.  This year he didn't give any hints.  So, I made an executive decision and I went with the coconut.

Made a new cake recipe and my old standby frosting.  Thumbs up all the way around.  May have to stick with Rose's coconut cake recipe as the critics highly approved!!

Heavenly Coconut Cake
adapted from Rose's Heavenly Cakes
yield:   cupcakes

ingredients:
cake
3 large egg whites at room temperature
2/3 cup (5.3 oz.) canned cream of coconut
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 tsp. coconut extract
1/2 cup minus 1 Tbls. superfine sugar
1/2 cup desiccated unsweetened coconut
2 cups cake flour, sifted
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
8 Tbls. unsalted butter
1/2 cup toasted, sweetened coconut flakes

frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
4 Tbls. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 vanilla bean, seeds only
3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

instructions:
cake:
• line cupcake trays with liners.   preheat oven to 350*.
• toast the coconut on a parchment lined baking sheet for 8-10 minutes.  set aside.
• in a medium bowl, whisk the egg whites, 3 tablespoons of the cream of coconut, the vanilla, and the coconut extract just until combined.
• in the bowl of a food processor, process the sugar and the coconut until the coconut is powder.
• in the bowl of a standing mixer, fitted with the paddle, mix the coconut mixture, flour, baking powder, and salt on low speed, about 30 minutes.  add the butter and the remaining cream of coconut.  mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened.  raise the speed to medium and beat about 2 minutes.
• gradually add the egg white mixture in two parts, beating for 30 seconds after each addition to incorporate the ingredients.  scrape the batter down on the sides of the bowl.
• fill each cupcake liner about two thirds full.
• bake for 15-22 minutes.  insert a toothpick in the center of one of the cupcakes.  if it comes out clean, they are done.
• let cool completely before frosting.


frosting:
• in the bowl of a standing mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until well incorporated. add the vanilla bean seeds, scraped from the pod.  add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time.  I like my frosting a little bit thicker.  Add your powdered sugar until you get the consistency that you desire.
• fill a pastry bag with the frosting and pipe cupcakes. sprinkle with toasted coconut.

19 comments:

  1. Happy birthday to Miguel! Your oldest kid looks so much like him, Susan! :)

    Beautiful cupcakes - I do love anything coconut, like many Brazilians.

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  2. Patricia - thank you so much for your lovely comments! My hubby LOVES coconut anything!! It is a staple in our house!

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  3. Miguel! I love it!
    Please wish a Happy Birthday to Miguel for me.

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  4. Happy Birthday Miguel!
    Your family is absolutely gorgeous!

    This recipe sounds wonderful, I adore coconut. :)

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  5. Happy Happy Joy Joy - looks soft, moist & fantastic!

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  6. What gorgeous cupcakes & a great birthday treat. That first photo is especially stunning!

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  7. Ah, another baker after my heart. I love coconut anything. Great picture of your family.

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  8. Happy b'day to your hubs!! That is such a cute photo of him & the kids. We love coconut cake, thanks for sharing one of your favorites with us.

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  9. Great photo (of the cake, but also of the birthday boy and the kids!). Although I'd usually choose chocolate, I love coconut cake and I love carrot cake. Good choice!

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  10. These cupcakes are so pretty! I love coconut!

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  11. Looks so good. I love coconut and anything with cream makes me happy!! Enjoy and celebrate with style.

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  12. I'm asking for these for my birthday, and if I have to make them myself, well, so be it! We are coconut fiends in this household, thank you so much

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  13. Happy birthday Miguel! Lovely cake...I'd have gone with the coconut too...yum!

    jessyburke88@gmail.com

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  14. A beautiful and delicious cupcake!
    Happy Birthday!

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  15. What an awesome birthday treat :) I especially lov the flaked coconut on top of the cupcake.

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  16. Oooo, I see you love cupcakes too!! Lovel seeing your blog, thx for visiting mine!!

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