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So, toasted coconut is about to rock your world. Oh and coconut caramel.
Before I made these cupcakes I had never had toasted coconut!
I now know that was just plain stupid. I mean like whoa. Toasted coconut is awesome!
This whole no coconut thing? Yeah, you can totally blame this on my mom, who is a chocoholic and would choose the dark stuff over anything white anytime, any day, any meal. But that is only because she does not know what she is missing…until now.
Case in point, these cupcakes.
I totally made these on a whim the other day simply because I asked Asher what we should make and her eye’s lit up and she said CUPCAKES!
Of course, I should have known she would say cupcakes. I mean we are talking about Asher here, remember she wants cookies for breakfast.
Trust me if I would let her, she would eat these cupcakes for breakfast too.
Ok, so here is the rundown. Really did I just say the word rundown? Yeah, I did.
Please understand that I have a four-year old screaming in my year “I am hungry, I am hungry, hungry, hungry, Tiegy I want dinner”, I am surrounded by little princess figurines (whose rubber clothes are the hardest thing to slip on) and I have 3 hungry boys waiting to be fed their chicken. Seriously, my parents owe me.
Big time.
Wait, that’s an exaggeration. I am being a little dramatic.
Well, not about all the crying, feeding and playing. That’s all very accurate.
But really my parents don’t owe me I am happy to help out and I love taking care of Asher. We do pretty much everything together. As Asher say’s “Tiegy, we’re best sisters, always!”.
Is it weird that my four-year little sister is seriously my best buddy?
Don’t Answer that.
I know, it is obvious. I need a life.
Anyway, these cupcakes are like WOW! Even my non-coconut lover of a dad absolutely loved these.
I actually could not believe how awesome they are. They’re moist, chocolaty and coconuty. The coconut caramel sauce is maybe one of the most genius creations. The flavor is just so good. It sinks into the dark chocolate cupcake and just flavors the whole thing. It. Is. So. Good.
Then there’s the frosting. Oh the frosting. Guys it’s coconut, butter and toasted coconut. It’s low on powdered sugar but the toasted coconut makes up for it with its own natural deliciousness and then gives it that extra toasted crunch. All that along with the buttery smoothness, mmm… it is just perfect.
Oh, and don’t skip the garnishes guys. The crunchy toasted coconut and the extra drizzle of coconut caramel sauce just puts this cupcake way over the top. Make them for Easter, make them tomorrow, geez – just get up and make them now. No, really I would!
Toasted Coconut Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
Coconut Caramel Sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Cupcakes
- 1 1/8 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled to room temp.
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Vanilla Coconut Frosting
- 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar + more if needed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons coconut milk
- 1/4 cup shredded, sweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut, toasted, plus more for sprinkling
Instructions
- Start by making the Coconut Caramel Sauce. Whisk together the coconut milk, vanilla, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine the brown sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it begins to boil watch closely and whisk until the mixture starts to smell like caramel and turn a golden color, and then to a light brown. This will take about 5-6 minutes. When you see that it has started to turn brown, slowly pour in the coconut milk mixture, whisking constantly and quickly. The sugar will harden around the whisk, don’t worry, it will melt. Just keep whisking! Continue to heat over medium-high until mixture has thickened and is a light caramel color, about 5 minutes more (dont let it get too thick, it will thicken as it sits). Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt and suger. Whisk to combine. In a small bowl add the coconut milk, egg, canola oil and vanilla extract. Stir lightly and then add to the flour mixture. Beat until the ingredients are well combined and then add the warm coffee. Beat well, until the mixture is very smooth. Fold in chocolate chips. Line a muffin tin with liners and using a 1/4 cup measure, add batter to each cup. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Let cool completely before filling and frosting.
- While the cupcakes bake make the frosting. Cream the butter in the bowl of an electric mixture until completely smooth and creamy. With the mixer on low speed, add in powdered sugar slowly. Gradually increase mixer speed and add vanilla. Then beat for 2-3 minutes, scraping down sides and bottom of the bowl. Beat in the coconut milk. Continue to whip for another 4-5 minutes, continuously scrapping. If frosting is too thick, add coconut milk 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. If it’s too thin, add powdered sugar gradually until it thickens (I like to keep mine very thin and less sugary). Fold in shredded coconut and toasted coconut and mix until just combined.
- To assemble the cupcakes: Use a small paring knife to cut a cone-shaped piece from the center of each cupcake. Fill the hole with coconut caramel sauce, then replace the top portion of the cone (you'll need to slice off the tip). Transfer the Vanilla Coconut Frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a tip. Pipe frosting into a swirl on each cupcake (you can also just spread the frosting on with a knife). Sprinkle with toasted coconut and drizzle with additional coconut caramel sauce over the top, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I mean come on, look at that coconut caramel just oozing out!
Shared with: Time to Sparkle, Lil Luna, Chef In Training, Buns In my Oven, Foodie Friday Friends, Tidy Mom, Taste and Tell, Cheerios and Lattes, Somewhat Simple, Mom on Timeout, I Heart Nap Time, Fine Craft Guide, The Country Cook, Whipperberry, Chef In Training, Thursday’s Treasures, A Pinch Of Joy, Whats Cooking With Ruthie, Watch Out Martha
I’m going to try these this weekend. A little confused on the frosting, do I use 2 sticks of butter or 2 cups of butter? Since one stick is actually half a cup of butter, I want to make sure I add the correct amount. Thanks!
So sorry for the confusion, you need 2 sticks butter. recipe is fixed. Hope you love the cupcakes!! 🙂
I made these last year and they were amazing! Any changes to make them into a layer cake? Would love to make these as a cake for Easter!
Sure! I would bake the batter into two 8 inch cake rounds. Should be great1 Let me know if you have questions! 🙂
Just made this cupcake recipe but substituted plain kefir for the milk and applesauce for the canola oil. Delicious!
I am so happy you liked it! Thank you Taylor!
I just found this recipe! Three of my favorite things, coconut, chocolate, and
caramel, so good! I can’t wait to try these!
YAY Hope you love them Kim!
For the coconut milk, did you use canned coconut milk? I’m excited to make these for a bridal shower this weekend!
P.S I made your coconut pumpkin spice latte and it was FANTASTIC!
I just made these for my friend’s birthday. THEY. WERE. SO. GOOD. Maybe the best cupcake recipe ever. The coconut milk in the icing AND the caramel was amazing. Will definitely save this to make again!!! Thanks so much for sharing! I’m excited to try more of your recipes.
SO happy you love the cupcakes! THANKS!!
These look so yummy. I could eat them from the screen…if only.
Thank you! Darn screen, it’s always getting in the way!
Oh my goodness, these look oh so fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow! Thanks for sharing. Yum!!
Thank you!!
Again… wow! Loving your recipes and your blog. Glad I stopped by.
Thank you and I am so glad you stopped by!
Oh, these sound terrific! Have to try them soon!
thank you!
Oh.Em.Geeee! These look fantastic and would just go perfectly with my morning coffee right now! Yes, I’m not craving cupcakes for breakfast too……
And for the record, I love that you and your little 4 y/o sister and best buds… it’s the sweetest
Cupcakes for breakfast are totally cool! Thanks so much for reading!
Just stopping by to say you were featured today! Thanks for linking up your delicious cup cakes… come grab a button 🙂 http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com xoxo~ Ruthie
Thanks for the feature!!
I just made a vegan variation of these for a dinner party… they were soooo delicious and everyone was pretty impressed! Thanks for the recipe!
I am so glad you liked these!!! I bet they were pretty easy to make vegan and tasted just as good!! Thanks for letting me know you loved them!
I found you from Marvelous Mondays link party. I would love if you would share at my Tried and True Recipe party: http://rediscovermom.blogspot.com/2013/04/tried-and-true-recipes-6.html
Thank you and thanks for stopping by!
Your photography is amazing. I love your recipes. Thanks for sharing at Two Cup Tuesday at Pint Sized Baker. I hope you join me on Monday night.
Thank you so much Karyn! That is so nice of you to say! Photography, is something I struggle with daily!