These cupcakes are moist and rich thanks to the coconut in the cupcake batter and in the cream cheese frosting. Another winning recipe by Barefoot Contessa.

Ina's Coconut Cupcake with Cream cheese frostings
yields 18-20 cupcakes
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound 3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut
- For the frosting:
- 1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
- 3/4 pound 3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 1 1/2 pounds icing sugar
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
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In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
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In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.
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Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool completely.
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To make the frosting, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (on low speed.) Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.
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Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.
You can find Ina’s original recipe on Foodnetwork.com, here.