Coconut Cupcakes
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These old-fashioned coconut cupcakes are packed with rich coconut flavor in both the cake and frosting—truly a family favorite!
They say that traits usually skip a generation, but in my case, they skipped two. My great grandmother, who was called “Honey” by everyone who knew her, was a baker and caterer. She baked cakes for the whole city of Buffalo, New York, and was especially well known for her coconut cake and cupcakes. Once I became the family baker, I took it upon myself to recreate Honey’s famous coconut cupcakes. It was a challenge to get it as “coconut-y” as the original, but I eventually nailed it. The trick was adding coconut milk and shredded coconut to both the cake and the frosting.
“Outstanding cupcakes…an 11 on a scale of 10 — on both flavor and texture.”
What You’ll Need To Make Coconut Cupcakes
- Coconut Milk: Adds rich coconut flavor and keeps the cupcakes moist; also used to thin and flavor the frosting.
- Lemon Juice: Reacts with baking soda to help the cupcakes rise.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure; measure using the spoon-and-level method to ensure accuracy.
- Cornstarch: Added to the flour which results in a lighter, more tender cake.
- Baking Soda: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the cupcakes rise
- Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cake and contributes to the frosting’s smooth texture and richness.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes and balances the tang of the frosting.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the coconut flavor in both the cupcakes and frosting.
- Eggs: Bind the batter and contribute to a tender crumb.
- Sweetened Flaked Coconut: Adds texture and extra coconut flavor; also used for topping the cupcakes.
- Cream Cheese: Provides a tangy, creamy base for the frosting.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Mix the coconut milk and lemon juice in a small bowl or measuring cup; set aside.
Whisk the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda in another bowl.
In a mixer, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy.
Add vanilla and the eggs, one at a time, and beat to combine.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and coconut milk mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
Stir in the shredded coconut just until combined.
Fill the cupcake liners about three-fourths full and bake for 20 to 23 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer until creamy, then gradually mix in the confectioners’ sugar.
Add the vanilla, coconut milk, and a pinch of salt and beat until combined.
Frost the cooled cupcakes.
Top with shredded coconut, and enjoy!
Video Tutorial
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Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, from 1 lemon
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
For the Frosting
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 6 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
- Pinch salt
- 1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut, for topping
Instructions
For the Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. Lightly spray the top of the pans with a nonstick cooking spray with flour, such as Baker’s Joy or Pam Baking Spray with Flour, just incase the cupcake tops stick to the pan (don’t worry if the spray gets in the liners).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk and lemon juice. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or beaters), beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla, then beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Turn the speed down to low and beat in one-third of the flour mixture, followed by half of the coconut milk–lemon juice mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add another one-third of the flour mixture, followed by the remaining coconut milk–lemon juice mixture. Beat in the remaining flour mixture, then scrape down the bowl and beat again until the batter is just combined. Quickly mix in the shredded coconut; do not overmix.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake pans, filling each cup about three-fourths full. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, until the cupcakes are set, lightly golden, and a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean (note that one pan may finish baking before the other). Let cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Frosting
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or beaters), beat the butter and cream cheese until creamy and well combined. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar, and then beat in the vanilla, coconut milk, and salt.
- When the cupcakes are completely cooled, use a butter knife or small offset spatula to swirl the frosting lavishly over the top. Sprinkle with the shredded coconut, pressing it gently so it adheres, and serve.
Notes
- Adding cornstarch to the flour mimics cake flour, which makes a lighter and more delicate cake.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: The cupcakes can be made and frosted up to 1 day ahead of time. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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The search is over for the perfect coconut cupcakes! As all birthdays should involve cake, I made these for my birthday today. Made exactly as written although mine only needed to bake 20 min. When you want a delicious cake, make it yourself and use one of Jenn’s recipes! Thank you, Jenn! Honey would be so proud.
Happy birthday — And so glad you enjoyed them!!
Can i add coconut extract instead of vanilla extract?
If yes how much?
Yes, I think that should be fine. Enjoy!
Hi jenn
But still i have to add lemon juice?
Yes, I would still add the lemon juice.
thanks Jenn.
I will make this recipe for my family wedding .
Any suggestion can I make 2 or 1 day in advance?
Thanks again
Hi Fanny, These keep very well compared to most cupcakes, but I’d make them 1 day ahead instead of 2 for the best results.
Hi there, I am looking forward to make this recipe quick question my friend is allergic to lemon or citrus do we need to add lemon? Thanks in advance
Hi Ady, you really need the lemon juice here as it helps the cupcakes to rise. You could use this recipe (for the cupcake portion) instead and add a little coconut. Hope that helps!
My friends loved this cake. I don’t personally like coconut. The birthday boy raved.
LOVED Honey’s Coconut Cupcakes. It took me a while to find coconut milk (Asian food aisle), but it was worth the hunt! They take me back to the days when people dressed so elegantly, like Honey. This recipe is a keeper! Thanks, Jen.
Can you make this as a sheet cake? I just finished taking care of 2 two week old twins and making food for the family and extended family for the weekend (my hubby was talking to me while I was measuring the oil for the challah so I had to dump and remake). Got home and my friend requested coco cake for his birthday tomorrow. So I’d love to make a cake instead of muffins because this middle aged yoga teacher is exhausted.
Sure, Jill – that should work. The cook time should be 30 to 35 minutes.
Of all your dessert recipes I have made over the last year, these are in the top three. My friends still ask me to bake them again. Excellent texture and flavor, and the recipe is so easy to follow. Thanks Jenn!
Jenn-My husband likes coconut flavor but not shredded coconut in the cake portion (frosting is ok). Can I omit the coconut flakes in cake batter, any changes to other ingredients if I do?
Hi Joan, It’s fine to omit the coconut with no other modifications. Hope you enjoy!
These cupcakes are FABULOUS! My best friend loves coconut cake and I make one for her every year on her birthday. She’s a good sport; every recipe I try she’s happy with it. But these cupcakes…THESE heavenly mini dreams…are by far the best. Before, I was relying on coconut extract for the flavor, but now I’m a believer that it’s the coconut milk and the flakes that make the difference. In any case, I’ve tossed out all my other “ultimate coconut cake” recipes. I can see how it’s a family favorite; it’s a true keeper.
Now, what would I have to do to bake this into a standard cake?
Hi Regina, so glad to hear that you’ve found the coconut cake that you can make for your friend each year! If you’d like to turn this into a layer cake, it should work in either two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans; the bake time for the cake layers will be 30 to 35 minutes (but make sure you keep a close eye on them). Hope that helps!
OMG !!!
These cupcakes are so good!
I’ve already had two !
The only thing I did differently is to reduce the amount of confectionery sugar in the frosting. Other than that, no adjustments.
Thank you to your great grandmother & to you Jenn for another wonderful recipe- you’re right, cupcakes make you smile 😊
I love all things coconut so this recipe attracted me with the addition of coconut milk to the recipe. It did not disappoint! The cream cheese frosting is a really good and goes nicely with the coconut flavor. I added 1/2 tsp of cocunut extract to the cake for added flavor though it is not neccessary as it is great as is, too.