Tropical Suncakes Recipes

TROPICAL HONEYMOON CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the coconut cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
• Whisk 1/4 cup water, the cream of coconut, coconut extract, vanilla extract, egg whites and egg in a large bowl until combined.
• Mix the flour, shredded coconut, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, about 15 seconds. Add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time, continuing to beat on low speed until the mixture forms a ball, about 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and add half the cream of coconut mixture. Beat on low speed until the flour mixture is moistened, about 15 seconds. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until the batter is light and fluffy, about 45 seconds. With the mixer still running, slowly add the remaining cream of coconut mixture. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Beat on medium speed for 30 seconds.
• Fill the muffin cups two-thirds full with batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers of cupcakes comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before filling and frosting.
• For the mango filling: Whisk 1/4 cup juice, egg yolks and cornstarch until smooth in a small bowl. Boil the remaining 1 cup juice, granulated sugar and salt over medium-high heat in a saucepan. Slowly add half the hot liquid to the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Add the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the filling thickens and boils, stirring constantly. Strain the filling through a fine mesh sieve. Cool the filling before assembling the cupcakes. Yield: about 1 1/4 cups.
• For the orange cream cheese icing: Beat the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add the confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, to desired consistency. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary. Beat in the orange zest and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Yield: 3 cups.
• For the garnish: Generously sprinkle the pineapple with sugar. Use a blow torch to caramelize the pineapple, or broil in the oven on low for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully so the sugar does not burn. Cool the pineapple before assembling the cupcakes.
• Cook the sweetened flaked coconut in a dry saute pan over low heat, stirring often, until the coconut browns slightly and smells fragrant. Cool the coconut before assembling the cupcakes.
• To assemble: Dig a small hole inside each of the cupcakes using a teaspoon. Fill each hole with the mango filing. Top with the orange cream cheese icing. Garnish with the caramelized pineapple and toasted coconut.

SILVER DOLLAR TROPICAL PANCAKES WITH MASCARPONE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, granulated and brown sugars, the baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, butter and vanilla in a small bowl. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and gently mix to combine. Do not overmix. Let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes before using.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Heat a cast-iron or nonstick griddle pan over medium heat and brush with melted butter. Once the butter begins to sizzle, use 2 tablespoons of the batter for each pancake and cook until bubbles appear on the surface and the bottom is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip over and cook until the bottom is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes longer. If desired, keep warm on a baking sheet in the oven.
• Serve a stack of 6 pancakes per person, topped with some of the Pineapple-Mango Syrup and Mascarpone Whipped Cream. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.
• Combine 2 cups chopped mango, 2 cups chopped pineapple, the sugar and 2 cups water in a large saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is very soft, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and, using an immersion blender, blend until almost smooth. Add the honey and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Strain the mixture into a bowl and add the finely diced mango and pineapple, the orange zest and lemon juice to taste. Keep warm while making the pancakes.
• Combine the mascarpone, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and 1/2 cup cream in a medium bowl and whip until soft peaks form; add a bit more heavy cream if not creamy enough. Put in a pastry bag with medium tip.

TROPICAL SUNDAES

Steps:

• Place 2 scoops of ice cream in a dessert bowl. Top with some toasted coconut, nuts, whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce and some extra coconut.

TROPICAL PANCAKES

Steps:

• Measure reserved pineapple juice; if less than 1/2 cup, add water to equal 1/2 cup.
• In medium bowl, stir together Bisquick mix, pineapple juice and egg. Stir in crushed pineapple, macadamia nuts, brown sugar and 1/2 cup coconut just until combined.
• Spray griddle with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup batter onto griddle. Cook until bubbles form on top and edges are dry. Turn; cook other side until golden brown.
• Serve pancakes topped with warmed pineapple preserves, sliced bananas and toasted coconut.