Sunday, December 7, 2008

Cupcake Perfection



Barefoot Contessa's Coconut Cupcakes

Ingredients
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk (I must have used milk because I don't remember buying buttermilk)
14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting:
1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

7 comments:

Carrie said...

Beautiful! ;-)

Kylie said...

Delicious cupcakes! You have been on a baking/cooking/blogging roll, my friend!

Carrie said...

You're famous! I can't believe I am friends with a real celebrity! :-) I love the pic of you and Randy. You look gorgeous! :-)

Adriene Rathbun said...

Thank you Carrie - you are very kind!

:) said...

Adriene,
Congrats on the Wichitalk article...very cool! I always love checking out your blog. :)

Michelle

None said...

So pretty, the white on white.

Have you tried coconut with lime?

I love the tangy kick with that sweet and creamy frosting!

Here is an amazing recipe:
http://cupcakeblog.com/?p=7

Adriene Rathbun said...

Ohhh, BG - I'm going to try that recipe. I'll report back and post on the blog. Thanks for the rec!