Pina Colada Cupcakes

Cupcakes

1 box Pillsbury white cake mix

1 can crushed pineapple (20 oz can)

1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)

3 eggs

Dump cake mix into a mixer.  Beat eggs and add to the cake mix. Add the coconut oil to the mix and beat in well (you want to make sure it is well beaten so that the coconut oil doesn't solidify as you add the rest of the ingredients)  Open can of crushed pineapple and drain 1/4 cup of the juice and save it for the frosting.  Add the remaining pineapple and juices to the cake mix and whip the mixture well.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cupcake tins with 24 cupcake liners.  Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 the way full with cupcake batter.  Bake for the instructed time on the cake box (about 20 minutes)

While they are cooking you can make the frosting.

Frosting

1 cube butter (room temp)

3 1/2 cups powder sugar

2 teaspoons coconut creme (see below)

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 cup pineapple juice

milk for desired consistency

dash of salt

Shredded coconut for garnish

Open can of coconut creme and whip it for about 2 minutes (you are only using about 2 teaspoons of this creme but it stores well...so put the rest in an air tight container and put it in the fridge).  Cream together the soft butter, coconut creme and sugar.  Add almond extra, pineapple juice, and dash of salt and continue to mix.  If you would like your frosting to be slightly thinner so that it glazes the cupcakes (like shown in picture) add a little bit of milk.

Once cupcakes are cooled. Frost the cupcakes and add coconut to the top.  The frosting does set after letting the cupcakes stand for a few minutes.

{ENJOY yourself as you take a mini vacation to somewhere tropical while these tickle your taste buds!!}

I had always wanted to use coconut creme in a recipe but had never tried it before.  I picked some up at our local Trader Joes.  I didn't realize that it actually has a really bitter taste to it, but when the right amount is added to the frosting, it gives it a perfect coconut hint of flavor! 

Party Ideas

-Serve these at a summer luau or Hawaiian themed party

-These are great for any beach themed party too.