Gina's Crazy Good Cupcakes

I recently wrote about my friend Gina's Pina Colada cupcakes and how absolutely fantastic they were. She just shared the recipe with me. Although she forewarned it's a bit complicated, it's totally worth it. One of her tricks is the jumbo muffin pan which did make a big difference especially in the presentation. I cannot wait to try these out and make them myself! Don't forget to garnish them with a fresh piece of pineapple in each cupcake (she stuck them in there with a toothpick).

Pina Colada Cupcakes
1 Stick Butter
1/3 Cup Pineapple Juice
1/3 Cup Crushed Pineapple
1 Tablespoon Rum
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
3 Eggs
1 ½ Cups Flour
1 Cup Sugar
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
¼ Teaspoon Salt
1/3 Cup Shredded Coconut

In a large bowl, beat together melted and cooled unsalted butter, pineapple juice, rum, and vanilla at medium speed until light and fluffy.  Then add the eggs one at a time, but mix well between each. In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, teaspoon of baking soda, and salt.  With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients to the other mixture and fold in the crushed pineapple and shredded coconut.

 Fill the liners about 3/4 full. Bake about 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees

Rum Syrup
1 Cup Sugar
½ Cup Water
1 Teaspoon Butter
1Teaspoon Vanilla
3 Tablespoons Rum

In saucepan on medium-high heat, bring sugar and water to a boil for 5 minutes. Add unsalted butter, vanilla, and of rum. Cook until it becomes thick and syrupy.

Prick holes in the cooled cupcake tops with a fork. With a brush or a fork, douse the cupcakes with Rum syrup while it is still hot.

Toasted Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
2 Cups Coconut
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 8oz Package of Cream Cheese
2 Cups Confectioner Sugar
1 Teaspoon Milk


Toast coconut in a pan.  Stir constantly until the coconut is golden brown (maybe 8 or 9 minutes). 

 In a bowl, cream together butter at room temperature and cream cheese with a mixer on medium until smooth and creamy.   Add confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla beating after each addition. Beat until smooth - Fold in the coconut and frost cupcakes