The classic Pina Colada cocktail turned into a cupcake! These Pina Colada Cupcakes included a moist, delicious cake and topped with an amazing coconut cream cheese frosting. These pineapple coconut cupcakes are perfect to celebrate any occasion!
Pina Colada Cupcakes – flavors of the beach!
One of my all-time favorite cocktails is the Pina Colada. Delicious coconut and pineapple blended together, have the most wonderful tropical flavors – even the aroma takes me right to the beach.
These Pina Colada cupcakes take all those fabulous cocktail flavors and combines them into one glorious treat!
What should I top these pineapple coconut cupcakes with?
To make these cupcakes even more like the classic tropical cocktail, I topped each one with sweetened flake coconut, a slice of fresh pineapple, and a maraschino cherry!
These pretty garnishes make for an amazing presentation. Feel free to add pretty cocktail umbrellas to each cupcake as well. These would be fabulous for a fun Cinco de Mayo party, or any kind of fiesta!
What is best: paper cupcake liners, silicone baking cups or non-stick baking spray?
- If I’m taking these cupcakes to an event, I always find it very helpful to use paper cupcake liners. It makes for easy clean up, simple removal of the cupcakes from the pan, and some additional color to the cupcake as well.
- Silicone baking cups are VERY helpful and I’ve discovered are the best for cupcakes and muffins when I don’t want to use a paper liner. Cupcakes and muffins slide right out with ease and absolutely no sticking whatsoever!
- A third option is non-stick baking spray. While silicone baking cups are my first choice, I do like Spectrum Coconut Oil non-stick spray.
Why use a boxed cake mix for cupcakes?
Mostly for flavor, quickness and ease. You’ll see in the recipe below, that these cupcakes start with a simple white cake mix.
It really makes these cupcakes fool-proof, and with the addition of the pineapple and coconut, the flavor of the cake is remarkably similar to a Pina Colada cocktail!
When should I serve these pina colada cupcakes?
These would be ideal for a Cinco de Mayo celebration or luau-themed party. These pineapple coconut cupcakes would also be great for a summer cookout or pot-luck as well.
Are you a cupcake lover? Check out some of these other delicious cupcake recipes:
- Caramel Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
- Very Cherry Cupcakes
- Carrot Patch Cupcakes at On My Kids Plate
Check out some of my other cake recipes that you’ll be sure to love:
- Carrot Cake Sheet Cake
- Pumpkin Caramel Cream Cheese Poke Cake
- Coconut Cream Poke Cake
- Buttermilk Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting
- Red Velvet Sheet Cake
- Pumpkin Sheet Cake
- Lemon Bundt Cake
Here’s the recipe for my Pina Colada Cupcakes:
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Pina Colada Cupcakes
Equipment
- Stand Mixer This KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a must-have tool for any home baker!
- Rubber Scrapers These Cuisinart rubber scraper spatulas are fantastic for fillings, batters, and so much more!
- Muffin Pan This non-stick muffin pan by Wilton is ideal for any muffin or cupcake recipe.
- Wilton Decorating Set This Wilton frosting and decorating set includes frosting tips, bags and everything you need to create beautiful cupcakes.
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 oz. box) white cake mix
- 1 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup unflavored coconut oil vegetable oil can also be used
- 3 egg whites
- 2/3 cup crushed pineapple drained
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
Frosting:
- 1 (8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Toppings:
- additional sweetened coconut flakes
- pineapple wedges
- maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners – you’ll make approximately 24 cupcakes.
- With a hand or stand mixer, combine the cake mix, pineapple juice, oil, and egg whites. Mix until just combined. Add the pineapple, coconut flakes and coconut extract, and mix thoroughly into the batter until fully combined. Ladle the batter into the cupcake liners to approximately 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-21 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cupcakes cool completely.
For Frosting:
- With hand or stand mixer cream together the cream cheese and butter. Add the extracts and combine. Gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Pipe frosting on to cupcakes (I used tip 1D) and top with additional sweetened coconut flakes, pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries.
Notes
Nutrition
Who wouldn’t love a tasty cupcake like this? Thanks for sharing on Creative K. Kids Tasty Tuesdays.
OOooh! Yummy! YUM! YUM! I will have to make these this summer. Definitely pinning this!
Thanks so much for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.
Oh my gosh, these are some of the prettiest cupcakes I’ve ever seen. Your photography is gorgeous, too! I am going to try these. HAHA they won’t look this gorgeous, but hopefully they’ll taste as good as they looK!
Wow…I love pina coladas but I think I would like these cupcakes even more! They look heavenly! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome recipe with us at Share The Wealth Sunday! xoxo
These cupcakes are so delicious! Thanks so much for posting the recipe.
You had me at Pina Coloda! THe cupcake part, well, that’s just the bonus, lol!
Looks delish and thanks for sharing on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Sounds divine for summer!
I made these and they were absolutely delicious! I don’t think it would heart to add a little more crushed pineapple though.
One issue I had with the frosting was that it was extremely soft and hard to frost with. The cupcakes were completely cooled and I even tried putting frosting in frig to harden up a bit. Any suggestions?
Oh these look so amazing! Yum! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
I love pina colada taste. These cupcakes not only look like they would taste fantastic but they are also so pretty. Thank you for sharing at Tasty Tuesdays.
Such a pretty cupcake & I bet it’s so good. Pinned & sharing. Thanks for joining the Inspiration Spotlight party @DearCreatives
I love a good moist cake, these sound wonderful!!
Thank you for sharing on #omhgff this week, look to be featured next week!
Pinned and Tweeted!
Have a great weekend!
Karren~
I’ll have two! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Now, this is a cupcake I could sink my teeth into! Not only do they look so pretty but sound deliciously unique. Thanks for the recipe! Pinned 🙂
My sister is a cupcake lover. I’m going to share this recipe with her. It’s perfect for girls night or a brunch. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.
SOUNDS REALLY GOOOOOOD DEFENDLTY GOING TO TRY IT
Thank you, thank you!! I baked these for a fundraiser cake walk, they were a huge hit and everyone was asking for the recipe!! Wish I could have left a picture for you to see how pretty.