Description
Tropical pina colada cupcakes bring Caribbean sunshine to classic dessert lovers. Rum-soaked pineapple and coconut cream frosting create a dreamy escape you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 0.75 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 cup (120ml) coconut milk
- 0.5 cup (120ml) pineapple juice
Leavening Agents:
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Flavor and Moisture Ingredients:
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup (100g) crushed pineapple, drained
- 1–2 tablespoons rum (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and arrange cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Whip softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until achieving a light, airy texture. Incorporate eggs individually, then blend in vanilla extract.
- Introduce coconut milk, pineapple juice, and crushed pineapple to the butter mixture, stirring until thoroughly integrated.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, creating a smooth, consistent batter. Optional: enhance flavor by incorporating rum.
- Distribute batter evenly across cupcake liners. Bake for 18-22 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Create frosting by beating butter until smooth. Gradually blend powdered sugar, coconut milk, coconut extract, and a salt pinch until achieving a fluffy consistency.
- Apply coconut frosting to cooled cupcakes. Embellish with shredded coconut, maraschino cherries, and optional pineapple wedges. Add mini cocktail umbrellas for a playful tropical presentation.
Notes
- Boost flavor by using high-quality coconut milk and fresh pineapple juice for a more authentic tropical taste.
- Drain crushed pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making cupcakes soggy, ensuring a perfect texture.
- Customize alcohol content by adjusting rum quantity or using rum extract for kid-friendly version without compromising tropical essence.
- Experiment with frosting consistency by adding more coconut milk for smoother spread or chilling briefly to achieve ideal piping texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 203 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg