Snow Cups: Coconut Cupcakes.

I have loved this recipe, only making this cake once a year either around Christmas or Easter.  This year, I made cupcakes.  It is the perfect tropical treat for a snowy day.  My kids called the cupcakes SNOW CUPS.
I've modified Ina Garten's orginial recipe, follow hers or if you want a little more coconut flavor, just add 1/2 cup Coconut milk to your cake mix. Just change the amount of milk that you add, instead of adding 1 cup, only add 1/2 cup of milk and your 1/2 cup of coconut milk.  And 1/2 cup coconut milk to your frosting and adjust your confectioner's sugar to get your desired consistency.  (I used Coco Lopez, but you could use any canned coconut milk that is available, usually it is either in the bar tending section or the Asian Food section..I seem to always have some canned coconut milk in my pantry because I use it in my curry).
*If making cupcakes, mine were perfect at 350' for 14 min. Bake until toothpick comes out clean.

Here is the original Ina Garten Coconut Cake and Icing recipe:

Coconut Cake

2006, Barefoot Contessa at Home, All Rights Reserved

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: All Aboard

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pans
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pans
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup milk
• 4 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

For the frosting:

• 1 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 6 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans, then line them parchment paper. Grease them again and dust lightly with flour.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until light yellow and fluffy. Crack the eggs into a small bowl. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl once during mixing. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well. The mixture might look curdled; don't be concerned.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the batter in 3 parts, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in the 4 ounces of coconut with a rubber spatula.

Pour the batter evenly into the 2 pans and smooth the top with a knife. Bake in the center of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until the tops are browned and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack for 30 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto a baking rack to finish cooling.

For the frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and almond extract on low speed. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until just smooth (don't whip!).

To assemble, place 1 layer on a flat serving plate, top side down, and spread with frosting. Place the second layer on top, top side up, and frost the top and sides. To decorate the cake, sprinkle the top with coconut and lightly press more coconut onto the sides. Serve at room temperature.

In the picture above, there is a hint about what tomorrow's 'Antiques 101'  post will be about.  Want to take a guess?

XXXOOO!