The Story:
After several failed attempts at making homemade almond joys, I decided to take the cupcake route. This coconut cake recipe is from Ina Garten, and I think I will have to try them topped with her cream cheese frosting recipe next time. They look like a perfect treat for summer.
Coconut Cakes:
3 sticks butter at room temperature
2 cups sugar5 eggs at room temperature
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter milk (or regular milk plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
7 oz coconut
Chocolate Buttercream:
2 sticks butter, softened
½ cup cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line muffins tins with cupcake liners
2. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, this should take a few minutes.
3. Add eggs, vanilla and almond extract and let beat again.
4. In a separate bowl, sift four, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
5. Starting and ending with the flour mixture, alternate adding the flour and buttermilk to the batter. Mix only until combined.
6. Stir in coconut and fill cupcake liners to the top.
7. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.
8. Buttercream: Beat butter for 5 minutes. Slowly add cocoa and powdered sugar (add small amount of milk in between.) Add vanilla.
* I Used chocolate buttercream because I wanted to make an Almond Joy type cupcake, but I think a regular cream cheese frosting would be perfect on these coconut cakes.
This cupcake looks beautiful. I am sure it tastes good as well. If you can open a cafe or bakery someday, I will definitely go and taste all your goods.
Does the coconut really give this cupcake a coconut flavor? I find it hard to believe it does without any other coconut flavoring. I actually tried a wonderful coconut cupcake that called for coconut milk that was reduced in half in a simmering pot…..now that was once cupcake that I will never forget. If I could only find that recipe!
Georges- Yes, it really does taste like coconut. I know the coconut milk you're talking about, I haven't tried it before, but I hear it's amazing.
Beautiful blog and your cupcakes and other baked goods amazing. Glad I found you!
love coconut might try this recipe looks awesome
dont have butter milk……..
Just use normal milk, or put a teaspoon of lemon juice in the milk.and let it sit for 5 minutes
Could you use almond extract in the frosting instead of vanilla? I don’t want to mess with a good thing-I just happen to have almond extract!
Yes, sure go ahead!
The photos of the cupcakes looking delecious I’ll try at my grandma house