The classic Pina Colada cocktail turned into a cupcake! Pineapple and coconut baked into a moist, delicious cake and then topped with an amazing coconut cream cheese frosting. The perfect to celebrate any occasion!
I would say that 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!
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!
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.
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!
Here’s the recipe for these fantastic cupcakes:
Yields 24 cupcakes
The classic Pina Colada cocktail turned into a cupcake! Pineapple and coconut baked into a moist, delicious cake and then topped with an amazing coconut cream cheese frosting. The perfect to celebrate any occasion!
20 minPrep Time
20 minCook Time
40 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 1 (16.25 oz.) white cake mix
- 1 1/4 c. pineapple juice
- 1/3 c. vegetable oil
- 3 egg whites
- 2/3 c. crushed pineapple
- 1 c. sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 tsp. coconut extract
- Frosting:
- 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
- 1 stick (1/2 c.) butter
- 1 tsp. coconut extract
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 c. 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.
I hope you get to enjoy these delicious cupcakes for a fun occasion or anytime you want to have a fun and festive cocktail-inspired dessert! Enjoy! ~Erin
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