Tropical Honeymoon Cupcakes Recipes

PIñA COLADA CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Whisk in brown sugar and granulated sugar. Whisk in egg, pineapple juice, coconut milk, and vanilla extract until combined.
• Slowly mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no lumps remain. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
• In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter on medium speed with an electric or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat for about 3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Turn mixer off and add confectioners' sugar, cream, vanilla, and coconut extracts. Mix on low for 1 minute then increase to high speed and beat for 3-4 full minutes. Add more confectioners' sugar if frosting is too thin or more cream if frosting is too thick. Add salt if frosting is too sweet (I usually add 1/4 teaspoon). Frost cooled cupcakes. There may be leftover frosting depending how much you use on each cupcake. I used a Wilton #12 piping tip. Decorate cupcakes with coconut, pineapple slices, and/or a cherry.
• Leftover cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days and in the refrigerator up to 4.

HARD CIDER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Put the cider in a saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 20 minutes. Remove 1/4 cup of the reduced cider and reserve. Add 3 tablespoons of the sugar to the saucepan with the remaining 1/2 cup cider. Heat to combine and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with 9 liners and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and remaining 5 tablespoons sugar until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs one a time, stirring between each addition, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
• Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Add half the flour mixture to the creamed butter, then add in the apple butter, sour cream and reserved 1/4 cup hard cider and combine again. Add the remaining flour and beat until just combined. Divide the batter among the 9 liners and cook until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
• While the cupcakes are still warm, brush the tops with the remaining 1/2 cup hard cider-sugar mixture.