Mini Chocolate Coconut Cakes Recipes

THE BEST CHOCOLATE COCONUT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º F.
• Place cupcake liners in muffin tin. Spray lightly with PAM cooking spray. *The cooking spray really helps the cupcakes not stick to the liners.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 12-cup cupcake/muffin tin with cupcake liners and lightly spray the liners with non-stick spray (optional but it does help them peel right off).
• Melt the oil, butter,and chocolate together in the microwave, heating in 30 second increments, and stirring between increments each time. You can also melt the oil, butter, and chocolate over very low heat on the stove top, but I find the microwave to be much easier. Whisk mixture until completely smooth and set aside to cool.
• In a medium sized bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt; stir together until thoroughly combined; set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolk, sugar and vanilla together; beat until smooth. Add the cooled oil/butter/chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth. Add half of the flour mixture, then half of the sour cream. Repeat the process until everything is added, and be sure to mix until JUST combined - then quickly stir in the hot coffee/water. It's important not to over mix, here! Just stir until evenly combined.
• Divide the batter among the 12 liners in your prepared pan. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
• In a small, deep heavy-bottom pot heat the heavy cream, sugar, and butter over medium-high until the sugar has completely melted; whisk well to combine.
• Whisk the cornstarch and vanilla into the cream mixture and bring to a boil.
• Continue cooking the mixture until thick, about 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut. Let the mixture cool completely before using.
• Beat butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth; add vanilla extract.
• Gradually add confectioners sugar to butter, beating until well blended. Don't worry if it looks dry!
• Add milk into butter mixture and beat until smooth.
• Fold half the coconut into the icing.
• Sprinkle remaining coconut over cupcakes.
• Once cupcakes are cooled, cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake. Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each cupcake, then top with buttercream. Top each cupcake with toasted or untoasted coconut, and serve!

MINI CHOCOLATE-COCONUT CAKES

Steps:

• Make the cakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously coat two 6-compartment nonstick sphere-shaped silicone molds with cooking spray, and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Sift flours, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat in oil, sour cream, warm water, egg, and egg yolk with mixer on low speed. Continue to beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Working in batches, divide batter among molds (3 tablespoons each). Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into center of each comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cakes cool in molds set on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around edges of each cake to remove from molds. Let cakes cool completely on rack.
• Meanwhile, make almond syrup: Heat water and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Stir in almond extract. Brush cakes all over with warm almond syrup. Let stand for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Bring 3/4 cup sugar, the water, and corn syrup to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until a candy thermometer reaches 230 degrees.
• Meanwhile, whisk egg whites to soft peaks with a mixer on medium-high speed. Whisk in remaining tablespoon sugar.
• Once syrup reaches 230 degrees, immediately pour it down sides of bowl in a slow, steady stream with the mixer on medium-low speed. Raise speed to medium-high. Beat until cooled and stiff, but not dry, peaks form, about 5 minutes. Add almond extract and 1 drop food coloring. Continue to beat for 1 minute.
• Frost cakes using a small offset spatula, then coat each with coconut.

MINI CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the cake: Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 6-inch round cake pan with 2-inch sides with oil then line the bottom with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda in a medium bowl; set aside. Whisk together the egg, sugar, oil, sour cream, coffee and vanilla in a small bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined.
• Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake starts to pull away from the sides, 29 to 32 minutes. If you under bake the cake, it will slightly sink, so check it!
• Remove the cake from the pan by carefully running a paring knife along the edge to loosen, then tilting it into one hand and peeling off the parchment from the bottom; place it on a small cake stand.
• For the ganache: Combine the chocolate, cream and corn syrup if using, in a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl fitted over a small saucepan of simmering water. Stir over medium heat until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. (Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate and cream in the microwave on low in 25-second intervals, stirring between each.)
• Pour the ganache over the cake, and garnish with the pomegranate arils.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with nonstick spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Sprinkle half of the shredded coconut on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until golden brown, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet.
• Combine the instant espresso and water in a measuring cup; stir until dissolved. Add to a medium bowl, along with the cake mix, vegetable oil and eggs. Beat for 2 minutes with a handheld mixer on medium speed. Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a baking rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, butter, coconut milk, salt and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Beat with a handheld mixer on medium speed until light, fluffy and smooth, about 4 minutes. Stir in the remaining (untoasted) coconut with a rubber spatula.
• If the cakes have domed in the center, trim to level the tops. Place one cake layer, up-side down, on a platter or plate. Spoon one-third of the frosting on top and spread evenly, almost completely to the edge. Place the other layer, up-side down, on top, pressing gently to anchor. Using an offset spatula, evenly frost the entire cake; if the frosting gets too soft, place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Gently press the toasted coconut around the outside of the cake and sprinkle it over the top.
• Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.