Italian Cream Cupcakes
If you think you love Italian Cream Cake…you’ve gotta try it in cupcake form. I wound up loving the cupcake version even better than the cake. The ingredients in this batter result in a nice, golden, every-so-slightly crisp surface, and the cupcakes have a lot more surface area than a piece of cake. So once you get the icing involved, you’ve got a whole lot of deliciousness going on!
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Ingredients:
| cupcakes | |
| 5 | whole eggs, separated |
| 1/2 cup | butter, softened |
| 1 cup | vegetable oil |
| 1 cup | sugar |
| 1 tablespoon | vanilla extract |
| 1 cup | sweetened, flaked coconut |
| 2 cups | all-purpose flour |
| 1 teaspoon | baking soda |
| 1 teaspoon | baking powder |
| 1 cup | buttermilk |
| icing | |
| 2 packages | (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened |
| 1/2 cup | butter, softened |
| 2 teaspoons | vanilla extract |
| 2 pounds | powdered sugar |
| 1 cup | finely chopped pecans |
| 1 cup | sweetened, flaked coconut |
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin pans (regular or mini) with nonstick baking spray OR line with paper cupcake liners.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites they're stiff. Transfer to another bowl and set aside; clean the mixing bowl and return to the mixer.
Combine the butter, vegetable oil, and sugar in the mixing bowl and mix until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks and vanilla, the beat until smooth. Add 1 cup of coconut and beat to combine.
Sift together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl, then alternate adding the flour mixture with the buttermilk, mixing for a few seconds after each addition. Add the egg whites and use a rubber spatula to fold them into the batter. Add batter to the muffin cups, the bake for 13-14 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
To make the frosting, whip together the butter and cream cheese until smooth, then sift the powdered sugar and mix it in until combine. Add the vanilla and mix. Add 1 cup of coconut and the pecans, reserving a small amount of pecans for garnish. Mix until totally combined.
Frost cooled cupcakes, then sprinkle extra pecans on top. Refrigerate cupcakes if not serving right away (frosting will soften at room temperature.)
(Thank you, Billie, for the recipe!)
Source: thepioneerwoman.com
