Fluffy Coconut cupcakes

I decided on (/was told to make) these cakes as one of my housemates was going away for the weekend, and she can't stand coconut. Personally, I thought they were very nice, and have a new love for coconut. The icing was particularly good. I left out the coconut essence (because I couldn't be bothered to buy it) and so they had a much mroe subtle coconut taste, which I think is better. Also, They work quite well in normal size cases, even though the recipe suggests using mini-muffin cases.

Fluffy Coconut Cupcakes - makes 36 mini (18 normal size)

250g (9 oz) self-raising flour
45g (1.5 oz) dessicated coconut
230g (8.5 oz) caster sugar
250ml (9 fl oz) buttermilk [If you can't find buttermilk in the shops,take some normal milk (250ml) and add 1 tsp lemon juice to it, then let it sit for half an hour]
2 eggs
1 tsp coconut extract (can be omitted)
125g (4.5 oz) unsalted butter, melted


Icing

280g (10 oz) icing sugar
135g (4.75 oz) desiccated coconut
75g (2.5 oz) unsalted butter
0.5 tsp coconut extract (can be omitted)
2 tbsp hot water
lightly toasted desiccated coconut to decorate.

1. Combine the flour, coconut and sugar in a bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine the buttermilk, eggs, coconut extract and butter. Then pour into the well and mix until well combined.
2. Divide evenly amongst the cases and bake for 12 minutes at 180*C (15 minutes for normal sized ones) or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
3. Icing - Combine the icing sugar and coconut in a bowl, add the butter (softened), coconut extract and enough water to make a spreadable icing. Spread each cake with a thick layer, and then sprinkle toasted coconut on top (or dip the cakes into the coconut)

These cakes were really tasty! The coconut on top gave a good simple decoration too. Not too difficult to make either. I think they will be much better without the coconut extract, so they have a more subtle coconut taste. You can toast the desiccated coconut very easily on a baking sheet and under the grill for a few minutes. Just don't forget to shake it up a bit so they don't burn.


MMFC