Here is a great Cupcake for Valentines Day. The recipe comes from my Taste of Home Magazine. You could even tint the coconut red, if you like.
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon white vinegar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon white vinegar
FROSTING:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flaked coconut, divided
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flaked coconut, divided
Directions:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in food coloring and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Combine buttermilk and vinegar. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beating well after each addition. Fill foil or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire rack to cool completely. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in 1 cup coconut. Frost cupcakes. Toast remaining coconut; sprinkle over cupcakes. Yield: 2 dozen.