Pina Colada Cupcakes with Rum Buttercream Frosting and Strawberry Puree
INGREDIENTS (makes 24)
for the cupcakes
2 Cups flour, all-purpose
¾ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup butter softened
1 ¼ cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup milk
¼ cup rum
1 cup toasted coconut
1 lime, zested, plus more for garnish
for the frosting
1 Cup unsalted butter, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons white rum
2-4 Tablespoons half and half
for the puree
1lb fresh strawberries, washed and hulled, plus more for garnish
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, fresh
METHOD
for the cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line muffin tins with paper liners, set aside. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir, set aside. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat butter until softened, then add sugar and vanilla. Mix until light and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each. In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, milk, and rum. Alternate adding flour mixture and sour cream mixture to the creamed butter, mixing after each until combined. Fold in coconut and lime zest, then add batter to the liners. Bake 12-15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then remove cupcakes from the tin and let cool completely on a wire rack.
for the frosting
In a medium bowl, beat the butter until light and creamy. Add 1 cup of sugar at a time, beating between each until combined. Add rum and a bit of half and half until preferred consistency is achieved. Frost cupcakes as desired.
for the strawberry puree
Add hulled strawberries, sugar and lemon juice to a blender and puree. Place mixture into a pan and cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Stir constantly, mixture will thicken. Reduce heat to low, simmer 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat, pour into a bowl or jar, let cool.
garnish cupcakes
Using a teaspoon, place a small amount of puree on the top of each cupcake and garnish with a fresh strawberry slice, thin lime wedge and a straw. Enjoy!
RECIPE adapted sallysbakingaddiction.com
IMAGE PG Studija/Shutterstock
