Go Back
+ servings

Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Are your taste buds ready to travel to the tropics from the comfort of your kitchen? Then preheat your oven and get ready for the easiest, creamiest Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. A combination of coconut milk and sweetened coconut flakes intensifies the rich flavor of these cupcakes.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 cupcakes

Ingredients  

For the cupcakes:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup coconut milk (full fat)
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

For the frosting:

  • 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers
  • Pretzel rods
  • Green candy melts
  • Green sprinkles
  • Equipment: piping bag

Instructions 

Make the cupcakes:

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. (Use blue liners if you want to mimic the ocean.)
  • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set it aside.
  • In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the coconut milk, egg whites and vanilla extract. Set it aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Alternately add the dry and wet ingredients in 3 increments, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat the batter just until combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
  • Stir in the coconut then divide the batter equally into 12 cups in the muffin tin. Bake the cupcakes for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool for 5 minutes in the pan then transfer them to a rack to cool completely. While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting and pretzel palm trees.

Make the frosting:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract then sift in the powdered sugar and beat just until combined. Set the frosting aside.
  • Line two baking sheets with wax paper. Melt the candy melts according to the package directions then transfer them to a piping bag.
  • Break the pretzel rods in half then arrange six of them on each baking sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Snip off the tip of the piping bag then pipe the candy melts onto the pretzel rods in the shape of palm tree leaves, ensuring you cover the tip of the pretzel rods so the leaves stay attached to the pretzel. Immediately top the candy melts with the sprinkles. Refrigerate the palm trees for 5 minutes until the candy melts are fully set.
  • When ready to serve, spread a portion of the cream cheese frosting on the cooled cupcakes. Top the frosting with the crushed graham cracker sand. Use an offset spatula to carefully release the palm trees from the baking sheet. Push the bottom of the pretzel rod palm trees into the frosting. Serve immediately.

Kelly's Notes:

  • The cupcakes, frosting and palm trees can be made a day in advance then assembled right before serving.
  • Candy melts can be found at baking supply stores as well as craft stores such as Michael's.
  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!