Pina coladas for everyone!

Enjoy the taste of the classic summertime cocktail, now as a cupcake. These are kid-friendly and the perfect way to incorporate fresh pineapples in your desserts.

You can use canned pineapple, but if you have the time to crush a few slices of fresh pineapple, go for it. You’ll get so much more flavor.

Top with maraschino cherries, extra coconut flakes and a bright and cheery drink umbrella, and your crew will fall in love with this cute little taste of the tropics.

Pina Colada Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix

1⁄3 cup vegetable oil

1 cup pineapple juice (from the crushed pineapple)

3 egg whites

1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

2⁄3 cup crushed pineapple

1 teaspoon coconut extract

Frosting:

½ cup butter (1 stick)

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons coconut extract

3-4 cups powdered sugar

Toppings:

Another cup of coconut flakes

Maraschino cherries (with or without stems)

Pineapple wedges cut very tiny

Drink umbrellas

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Recipe makes about 18 cupcakes. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add the cake mix, vegetable oil and crushed pineapple, and beat with a hand mixer until just combined. Add the coconut, pineapple, coconut extract and mix well.

Fill the cupcake liners about 3⁄4 of the way full. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove cupcakes from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, make the frosting by beating together cream cheese and butter. Next, add the extracts and beat again. Then, add powdered sugar one cup at a time and combine until desired level of sweetness. Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Top each with a cherry and pineapple wedge. Sprinkle with extra coconut flakes. Secure pineapple with a toothpick or, alternatively, spear pineapple wedge with the drink umbrella to hold it in place.

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