Pretty in pink – these Coconut Cherry Cupcakes are sure to be a hit. Easy coconut cupcakes have a creamy coconut center and a cherry pink frosting – pink never looked so perfect!
Also try my Cherry Coconut Smoothie if you love coconut and cherry together! Or for another sweet treat, try these Coconut Cherry Almond Bars.
The last few years, I’ve done my yearly Red Velvet Week around this time. And believe it or not, I’m still trying to make that happen before Valentine’s Day. But my life is crazy town right now so we’ll see what actually happens.
Besides an overabundance of red velvet, I don’t normally do a lot of Valentine’s Day themed desserts. But I was reading to my kids the other night, and the book of choice was Pinkalicious. If you haven’t read the book, it’s about a girl who loves pink, but after eating too many pink cupcakes, she turns pink. At first, it’s all fun and games, until she decides that she just wants to be herself again. But every time we read that book, I always start craving pink cupcakes. Every. Single. Time.
Well, my chance finally came. There was a neighborhood bake sale, and I volunteered to bring a treat. And since Valentine’s Day was near, I thought it would be fun to do a Pinkalicious inspired cupcake. I would normally do something tried and true, knowing these cupcakes would be sold, but I went out on a limb and decided to make something new.
And luckily, these turned out just as good as I was hoping for.
I started with a cake mix, simply because I knew I didn’t have time to mess with a fussy recipe. It worked perfectly. I flavored them with a little bit of almond extract, and mixed in some coconut. Then the cupcakes are filled with a dreamy coconut filling. And don’t forget the pink cherry frosting – they wouldn’t be Pinkalicious cupcakes without it!!
These Coconut Cherry Cupcakes belong at every Valentine’s Day party this year. So pretty in pink!
Ingredients
CUPCAKES: The cupcakes start with a box mix that we are going to fancy up. To the mix, you’ll add eggs, sour cream, milk, oil, almond extract, and coconut.
FILLING: The filling is an easy coconut filling. All you need is powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, coconut extract, and sweetened coconut. You can leave the extract out if you don’t want the extra coconut flavor, but I love it!
FROSTING: This is just a simple American buttercream. You need softened butter and powdered sugar. And then you add in some the liquid from the jar of the maraschino cherries. This not only gives the frosting flavor, but also gives it a pink color. You will also add almond extract to the frosting, then you will need those maraschino cherries to top off the cupcakes.
How to Make Coconut Cherry Cupcakes
STEP 1: Make the cupcakes. This is simple since we are using a cake mix. You just need to beat all of the ingredients together. Then divide between cupcake liners, and bake until cooked through.
STEP 2: To make the filling, stir together the powdered sugar, cream, and coconut extract. Then stir in the coconut.
STEP 3: Now it’s time to fill the cupcakes. Cut a cone shape out of the top of the cooled cupcakes. Cut off the pointed end, saving the rest of the piece of cake. Fill the hole with some of the filling, then place that saved piece back on top.
STEP 4: Beat the butter until fluffy, then start adding in powdered sugar. When it gets thick, start adding in the cherry juice. Beat in the almond extract. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes, then top with a maraschino cherry.
More Cherry Recipes
Chocolate Cherry French Macarons
Cherry Chip Cake with Fluffy Frosting
Chocolate Cherry Sandwich Cookies
Baked Chocolate Donuts with Cherry Glaze
Mini Cheesecakes with Cherry Topping
Almond Cupcakes with Fresh Cherry Frosting
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Coconut Cherry Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Filling
- 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Frosting
- 1 cup butter softened
- 5 1/2 – 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice (from the jar with the maraschino cherries)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 30 maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line 30 cupcake tins with paper wrappers.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, milk, vegetable oil and almond extract. Beat until completely combined. Stir in the coconut.1 white cake mix, 3 large eggs, 2/3 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons almond extract, 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared cupcake wrappers. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the cupcakes cool completely.
- To make the filling – stir together the powdered sugar, cream and coconut extract. Stir in the shredded coconut.1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon coconut extract, 1/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- Cut a cone shape out of the center of each cupcake about ¾” in diameter and ¾” deep with a sharp paring knife. Cut off the pointed end of the cone and reserve the top. Fill each hole with about 1 heaping teaspoon of the coconut filling, then cover with the reserved tops.
- To make the frosting, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Start adding in the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. When the mixture gets too thick, start adding in the cherry juice. When all of the juice and powdered sugar is incorporated, beat in the almond extract and continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.1 cup butter, 5 1/2 – 6 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Pipe the frosting on the filled cupcakes.
- Place the cherries on a paper towel to drain. Once dry, place a cherry on top of each cupcake.30 maraschino cherries
Milia says
Do you think this is possible to make in a 9×13 pan (or similar)? Do you have a recommendation for how long to bake it?
Charlotte | Sweet Sundays says
That surprise on the inside of the cupcakes takes these to the next level! I gotta give these a try!
Nicole says
Oh my goodness these look so good! Definitely will be trying!
Jennifer/Farmwife Feeds says
These look sooooo good!