Coconut Cupcakes

with cream cheese frosting and a surprising bite of chocolate inside

I decided to make these mini for a friend's birthday celebration...bite size anything is just more fun, and maybe even guaranteed to taste better!

Plus, mini-ness helps with portion control, because 7 mini really equals one regular size cupcake, right? ;o)

Morgan's Surprise Birthday, slash, Going Away Party!

Make a wish!

Enjoying cupcakes!

We go back to Elementary School!

Love you, miss you, kiss you!

Adapted from Martha Stewart

Makes 12 cupcakes (24 mini)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature

1 cup sugat

2 eggs

1 t vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1/2 cup milk

Chocolate pieces, about 1/2 cup (optional)

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 t pure coconut extract

2 cups flaked coconut

Sprinkles (optional)

Preheat oven 350

line muffin tins with papers

Combine the flour, salt, baking flour, set aside

With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat 1 stick butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs one at a time

Reduce speed to low

Slowly add flour

Add the milk

Spoon into muffin tins, 3/4 full

Top each with a chocolate piece

Bake about 15 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean

cool on wire rack

Frosting

Meanwhile, with mixer on medium, beat cream cheese and remaining 1/2 stick of butter, confectioners sugar and coconut extract.

Frost cupcakes, sprinkle with coconut

note: If you are piping the frosting, like I did, add the coconut to the frosting and beat until well mixed, about 10 seconds. then pipe onto cupcakes

Make a Wish

Family comes to really make the surprise special!