This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.
Coconut Cupcakes are super moist, easy, and full of coconut flavor! There is coconut in the cupcake batter, the cupcake and in the amazing and fluffy coconut buttercream. These cupcakes will become your new favorite recipe!
Easy Coconut Cupcakes Recipe
If you’re a coconut lover like me, you’re always on the hunt for new and delicious ways to enjoy the flavor. Move over coconut cream pie: these incredibly coconutty coconut cupcakes are here! With a moist and soft crumb and perfect texture, they’re easy to make, bursting with coconut in every bite and you’re going to love them.
Ingredients Needed
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut: Also called angel flake, you’ll find it in the baking aisle.
- Canned Coconut Milk: This can be found in the Asian foods aisle – use full fat coconut milk.
- Coconut extract – amps up the coconut flavor of the frosting. You can also omit and just use vanilla extract.
- All the ingredients for these classic cupcakes: Flour, baking powder, salt, butter, granulated sugar, eggs. All basic ingredients, but the key to a delicious cupcake.
- My absolute favorite coconut buttercream frosting which is fluffy and SO GOOD.
How to Make Coconut Cupcakes
- Whisk salt, baking powder, and flour in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream sugar into softened butter until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients alternately with the coconut milk, mixing gently between each addition of the flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Stir in shredded sweetened coconut.
- Pour batter into prepared muffin pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before removing and frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat butter in a large bowl. Slowly beat in powdered sugar, salt and extracts. Add coconut milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Frost cupcakes as desired, sprinkle with additional shredded coconut.
Favorite Frostings
You aren’t limited to coconut frosting. Here are some other favorites for these cupcakes:
Expert Tips
- You know your cupcakes are done baking when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
- Use room temperature ingredients for the perfect moist texture and don’t over mix the batter once the dry ingredients are added.
- Fill the cupcake liner approximately 3/4 full for the perfect domed tops.
- You can store these cupcakes for up to three days at room temperature, or for up to five days in the fridge. In the freezer, they’ll last for up to two months.
FAQs
How do you store these cupcakes?
Store these cupcakes in an airtight container. They can freeze for 2 months!
Can I make these gluten free?
These cupcakes can be made with Gluten-Free 1:1 AP flour in an equal amount to the flour called for.
Easy Coconut Cupcakes Recipe
Coconut Cupcakes from scratch with an easy fluffy coconut frosting – this is the best cupcake ever.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 2 cups (248g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ (170g) cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1¼ (250g) cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
- ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut
For the Frosting
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (452g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons full-fat canned coconut milk
- Additional shredded sweetened coconut, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners.
- Whisk salt, baking powder, and flour in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer, cream sugar into softened butter until fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients alternately with the coconut milk, starting and ending with the flour, mixing gently between each addition. Mix until just combined. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl.
- Stir in ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut.
- Pour batter into prepared pans and bake approximately 12-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before removing and frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat butter in a large bowl with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Slowly beat in powdered sugar until crumbly. Beat in salt and extracts. Add coconut milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Frost cupcakes as desired, sprinkle with additional shredded coconut.
Recipe Notes
- This recipe is different than the original, which used cake mix. Find that recipe here.
- Canned Coconut Milk can be found in the Asian foods aisle. You can substitute refrigerated coconut milk (a nondairy drink) but your result won’t be as coconut-y of a flavor.
- Be sure to use room temperature ingredients for the best cupcakes.
- Store cupcakes loosely covered on the counter or freeze in an airtight container.
Recipe Nutrition
Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 66mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Other Cupcake Recipes
Last Updated on March 22, 2024
I want a cupcake now. : >
Just finished up a batch of these and I have to say, they are delicious! I unfortunately was short on coconut and did not have coconut extract, but still able to get a good taste of the coconut goodness. I just used homemade vanilla in place of the extract and sprinkled toasted coconut over the iced cakes instead of putting it into the frosting. Hoping my husband enjoys the sweet surprise when he gets home (and then takes them to work so I don’t eat them all in my own! ) Thanks for the yummy (and easy) recipe to add to my arsena :-)l
I understand that! I always have to get coconut desserts out of the house or I’ll eat them ALL! I’m glad you enjoyed them Becca!
I made the triple coconut cupcakes last night with one substitution – I used coconut emulsion instead of the extract…. OMG they were incredible! I had left over batter so I made two in these cute silicone teacups I have but I didn’t add the coconut mixture in the middle cause I ran out of the mixture (I made them for my daughter to take to a surprise party at work) when I bit into them they were like a bite of heaven! If you are a coconut lover you will love this recipe! Sorry I can’t upload my teacup pic.
So awesome! I’m glad you liked them! 🙂
What an intense coconut experience. Im so looking forward to making these.
You might like my coconut oil cupcake recipe, its sugar free, check it out.
Those look amazing. And I am totally the girl who buys four shirts in the same color just because they fit “right”. (Also true for sweaters, pants, and cardigans.) Glad to know I’m not alone! My husband thinks I’m crazy.
Coconut heaven!
I love them ALL, but I really, really love the Honeysuckle Pink wrappers! And, holy cow, I cannot WAIT to make these cupcakes!
I love the ones you used, so pretty!!
Love love love. I’m all about the “triple” cupcakes lately and these are gorgeous!
Thanks Toni!
My favorite cupcake wrapper is the Dorothy wrapper.
Yes!! That’s what my tummy wants, anyway!
Featured In
Rate This Recipe