Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes are rich, chocolatey, and infused with delicious coconut flavor. These decadent cupcakes come together in less than 30 minutes and couldn’t be easier to make!
If anyone were to ask me, I would probably say I’m not much of a cake person. And I never have been! I would take a delicious brownie or cheesecake or apple crisp over plain old cake any day of the week. Unless, of course……it’s loaded with FROSTING!!! Because as much as I’m not a cake person, I’m totally a frosting person. Which is an interesting combo, right?
It means that I’m the person who always wants the corner piece. The person who would gladly scrape the extra off the knife. The person who is constantly tempted to make a batch of frosting JUST to eat.
Of course, over time, I’ve come to realize that just eating frosting isn’t quite all it’s cracked up to be. I’ve come to realize there’s a better way to enjoy the frosting I love so much: with CAKE!
Yes, I’ve come to see cake as a vehicle for frosting. And, if you ask me, the best vehicle. Especially when it’s chocolate coconut cake, paired with rich smooth coconut frosting.
Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes
Okay, so let’s talk about coconut for a second. I feel like there are coconut lovers and then….there are coconut haters. Being a former coconut hater, I can honestly say it had more to do with the texture than the flavor. But with these cupcakes? Texture is not an issue! The coconut flavor comes from extract, not flakes. So you get all the delicious flavor in a smooth, velvety cupcake.
As for the chocolate? Well, these cupcakes get their flavor from cocoa powder, which I personally find so much easier than melted baking chocolate. Even better, the batter comes together in just 5 minutes and one bowl….and the flavor is fantastic. So. whether you’re a cake person, a frosting person, a chocolate person, a coconut person, or all of the above….these Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes are gonna rock your world.
Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes Recipe
Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 c. flour
- 1 c. sugar
- 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 c. milk
- 1/4 c. Kerrygold unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp. coconut extract
- 1 egg
- For the frosting:
- 1/3 c. Kerrygold unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 1/2 c. powdered sugar
- 1/4 c. milk
- 1 tsp. coconut extract
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Add milk, butter, and coconut extract.
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Beat on low speed until combined. Then beat on medium speed 2 minutes.
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Add egg and beat 2 minutes more.
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Pour mixture into prepared muffin tins (greased or lined with paper liners), filling each about half full.
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Bake at 350 degrees 25-30 minutes or until tops of cupcakes are set.
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Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
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Once cool, top with frosting and dust with powdered sugar.
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For frosting:
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In a medium mixing bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy.
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Add 2 cups powdered sugar and beat well.
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Slowly add in the milk and coconut extract.
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Slowly add in the remaining powdered sugar until you reach desired consistency (you may not use all of the powdered sugar).
Our friends at The Stay at Home Chef have The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake recipe you should try today!
Jess says
I am most definitely a coconut lover and I think this recipe would be blissful for Valentines Day! PS when is your cookbook coming out? I’d be first in line, no kidding!
Cathy Trochelman says
This recipe WOULD be perfect for V-Day! Also – cookbook?! We shall see. You will be the first to know, my friend!!! <3
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen says
We have the same love for frosting! And you are so right about cake being the best vehicle!I love the chocolate and coconut combo!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Chandra! So glad to know I’m not the only one! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
OH my gosh. These are fantastic – I’m a frosting girl too. I bet that Kerrygold makes the frosting AMAZING!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Dorothy! The Kerrygold put the frosting over the edge….no surprise there! 😉
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
These cupcakes look amazing! And KerryGold butter is probably the best butter ever.
Cathy Trochelman says
I totally agree, Des! Thanks so much!
Michelle @ Blackberry Babe says
So funny! I used to be an icing fanatic, too! I’ve transitioned a bit to just liking a thin layer of frosting and mostly cake, but I’d take these yummy cupcakes however they were served! 🙂
Cathy Trochelman says
I have some work to do to get to just a thin layer….but I can definitely see it as a possibility! Thanks, Michelle!
Heather | Heather Likes Food says
These look like a perfect treat to bring to my daughters pre-school or even have for Valentines day! Yum!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Heather! My girls loved them!!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
Such pretty little cupcakes. You had me a coconut…and chocolate!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks so much, Renee!
Sheena @Tea and Biscuits says
Your cakes look amazing, and that frosting is calling my name! There’s simply no substitute for real butter in frosting, its so delicious!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thank you, Sheena! The frosting is my favorite, too! 🙂
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I am a coconut lover and a chocolate lover, and frosting lover, too! In short, I love everything about these cupcakes! They look perfectly delicious! 😀
Cathy Trochelman says
Me too, Andi! Thanks so much!
Carlee says
These look amazing. Pile on that frosting!
Cathy Trochelman says
Agreed, Carlee! Lots of frosting is a must! 🙂
Holly N @ Spend With Pennies says
These look delicious… and that frosting nearly had me licking the screen! It looks so luscious!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thank you, Holly!!! I could eat the frosting by the spoonful for sure!
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet says
That frosting looks amazing! I would eat it with a spoon!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thank you, Nancy! It’s SO good! 🙂
Kristyn says
Wow! What a delicious recipe! Can’t wait to try!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Kristyn! If you like coconut, they’re dreamy!!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
I’m totally a frosting person too! These cupcakes look perfect!
Cathy Trochelman says
I totally think frosting people are the BEST people!! 😉
marcie says
I haven’t had much of a sweet tooth for a while now and these cupcakes are changing that! I love chocolate and coconut, and those swirls of frosting look so creamy and delicious!
Cathy Trochelman says
Awwww, thank you, Marcie!
Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner says
These are my new favorite cupcakes Cathy!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thank you, Deb!! (mine too!) 🙂
Linda B says
I love chocolate and coconut and can’t wait to try this recipe! What is the tool you used to sprinkle the powered sugar?
Stefani says
unique recipes,
I have tried at home and my children very loved it & can’t stop eating.
Thanks for your recipes
Lori says
We made these for my 50th birthday and they were out of this world! The coconut cream is to die for. Not too sweet! Thanks!
Cathy Trochelman says
Happy 50th! Glad you enjoyed the cupcakes!
Bee says
Oooh… Chocolate & coconut is one of my favorite combos of all time–so you know you have me drooling big time over these! Pinned, of course.