Happy Pina Colada Day! To celebrate, I thought I would make these super easy Pina Colada Cupcakes! They are boozy, so if you are feeding them to the kiddies, eliminate the rum!!
I rarely drink mixed drinks. It’s not that I don’t like mixed drinks, I like a bunch of them, but I can’t handle the alcohol content anymore. I have to stick with vino. Of course, truth be told, if I stuck with one mixed drink, it would be ok, but what fun is that!! 🙂 Anyway, this recipe is super easy thanks to a boxed cake mix!
I used a yellow cake, but a white cake would work, as well. Just prepare the batter according to your package directions, except replace some of the liquid with the rum and coconut extract. So, start with the rum and coconut in your measuring cup and then fill the remainder with the recommended amount water.
How to make Pina Colada cupcakes
- Add filling ingredients to pan. Cook down for about 10-15 minutes, until thick. Cool.
- Rum plus water, equal to package directions
- Oil according to package directions.
- Eggs according to package directions.
- Mix together.
- Fill with a couple tablespoons of batter.
- Add 2 tablespoons filling in the middle.
- Fill cupcakes 2/3 full.
- Bake according to package directions.
- While cupcakes are baking, make the frosting. Add butter, vanilla and rum to mixer bowl. Beat.
- Sift in 2 cups of powdered sugar. Beat until smoooth. Sift in another 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar to form thick frosting.
Toast the coconut under a low broiler. Watch it very closely because it will burn easily!
Frost cupcakes, then top with toasted coconut. Garnish with maraschino cherry, if desired.
There is my homage to the wonderful Pina Colada! Happy Pina Colada Day! I hope you enjoyed the recipe! Don’t forget to subscribe to BCC so that you don’t miss a new recipe! I have some great ones coming up this month! Thanks for stopping by!
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Enjoy! And have fun cooking!
Pina Colada Cupcakes
Ingredients
For Filling
- 1 can crushed pineapple 15-1/2 oz
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
For Cupcakes
- 1 yellow or white cake mix
- 1/2 cup white rum. (use 1/4 cup and then it is really mildly rum flavor)
- 2 tbsp coconut extract
- 3/4 cup toasted coconut (Toast in 350° oven for approx 10 minutes. Watch closely!)
For Buttercream
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp rum
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp coconut extract
- 4-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
For filling
- Mix all filling ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat simmer until thick, about 10-15 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
For Cupcakes
- Measure rum, add coconut, fill with water, according to the package directions on cake mix box.
- Follow the instructions for cake mix.
- Use cupcake bake cups, or spray cupcake tins with no stick spray. Cover bottom with batter. (2-3 tbsp of cake mix.)
- Place 2-3 tablespoons of the pineapple filling on top of batter.
- Fill the tins 2/3 full with more batter.
- Bake according to the package directions. (usually 18-21 minutes.)
For Buttercream
- Soften butter to room temperature. Cream butter with electric mixer. Add rum, vanilla and coconut extract. Cream until combined.
- Add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar and mix well. Add the 2-1/2 cups of powdered sugar and a scant 1/4 cup coconut milk. Don't add all of the milk until you see if you need it to get it nice and creamy.
- Frost cupcakes and top with toasted coconut and a maraschino cherry.
Alexis
You had me at pina colada! I love pineapple everything! We are celebrating a fun event this week, I’ll be adding these to our menu plan. Thank you
Binky
Oh great! Glad you liked it! Let me know how everyone likes them! Thanks Alexis!
Amanda
These look so tropical! I love coconut anything!
Binky
Me too! It’s one of my favorite flavors! Thanks Amanda!
Brian Jones
They sound superb, such great flavours and fun presentation too… Love it!
Binky
Thank you Brian! I’m so glad you like them!
Gabi
Finally a recipe which is worth our Rum we brought back from our Cuba vacation. Can’t wait to try out these gorgeous Pina colada cupcakes:)
Binky
Oh how fun Gabi!! I hope you enjoy them!!
Jillian
So cute and festive! Perfect for any Summer Party!
Binky
Thank you Jillian! Happy weekend!
Kelly Anthony
Love all those process shots! I don’t even get down with coconut, but these cupcakes are making me change my mind! YUM!
Binky
Thank you Kelly! Haha! A coconut convert? Have a nice weekend!
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Danielle
These look so tasty and festive! Love the idea!
Binky
Thanks so much, Danielle! I appreciate your comment! Have a great weekend!!
Jacqueline Debono
Wow these pina colada cupcakes look and sound amazing. I can practically taste them! A great summer treat!
Binky
Thank you Jacqui! They are so good! Perfect for summer!
Gabby | The Tolerant Table
I love the idea of a boozy cupcake! And particularly a pina colada version in all its coconutty goodness. These look wonderful Beth!
Binky
Thank you Gabby! They are so good! I think you will love them!
Laura
I needed this recipe last week so I could make it for Liam’s graduation party. They would have loved it and it would have been much easier to serve than the Tiramisu which they made a mess. Well bookmarked for next party
Binky
Thank you Laura! Congratulations to Liam!
Elaine
Oh, my goodness, yes! These pina colada cupcakes look so delicious!! I need these in my life!
Binky
Haha! Thanks Elaine! They are so good!