Coconut Cupcakes with Lime Buttercream

Photo Credit: mybakingaddiction

YIELD: 24 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

For the Cupcakes

1 (18 ounce) box French Vanilla cake mix (see note below)
1 (3.4 ounce) package Jell-o Coconut Cream pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 (13-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk; divided use (see note below)
2/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut

For the Frosting

remaining 9 ounces of coconut milk**
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
zest of 2 medium limes
1.5 pounds (about 5 3/4 cups) confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

DIRECTIONS:

For the Cupcakes
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pan with paper liners or spray wells with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs and 1/2 cup (4 ounces) coconut milk. Beat for about two minutes on medium speed until well combined. Fold in the shredded coconut.

3. Using a large cookie scoop, distribute the batter between 24 muffin wells; about 3 tablespoons of batter per well.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes or until the tops of the cakes spring back when lightly touched. Allow cupcakes to cool inside muffin tins for about 10 minutes.

5. Remove cupcakes from muffin tins and allow to fully cool on a wire rack. Prepare the frosting.

For the Frosting

1. Place the remaining coconut milk into a medium saucepan with high sides. Over medium heat, bring the coconut milk to a boil, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat down to medium-low heat and reduce the coconut milk for about 20 minutes. Turn the burner off and allow the coconut milk to cool completely. Cover and chill (about an hour), this will cause the coconut milk to thicken up a bit

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and reduced and cooled coconut milk on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes. Add in the lime zest and mix to combine.

2. Turn the mixer down to low speed and gradually add in the confectioners' sugar until it is completely incorporated. Add in extracts and mix until incorporated. Turn off the mixer and check the buttercream for taste and texture. Turn the mixer back up to medium-high speed and beat the mixture for about 3-4 minutes or until light and fluffy.

3. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes and if desired, garnish with a dusting of shredded coconut.

Source: My Baking Addiction

**Facts about Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is obtained by grating the meat of the rape coconuts. It should not be confused with coconut water - liquid substance young coconuts contain inside of their shell. Benefits of coconut milk are enormous. It boasts a huge variety of useful qualities. The use of coconut milk can be very helpful for you health. It is a rich source of sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Coconut milk is also enriched with a range of vitamins, like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, B complex vitamins etc. Proteins, carbohydrates and dietary fiber are the key components as well.

Coconut milk contains more calcium than regular milk does. It can easily be a good substitute for regular milk. It may be added into food or drinks like coffee or tea.

Due to high manganese content coconut milk is recommended to be included into the diet for people, who suffer from glucose intolerance.

Coconut milk is quite beneficial for skin care. Applying the milk on your skin it moisturizes and softens it. Consuming coconut milk may contribute to keeping your skin healthy, flexible and elastic as the milk contains important minerals like copper and Vitamin C and E, which are known for its favorable effect on the skin. When taking a bath, you can add coconut milk into the water.

If you struggle with hair loss, apply coconut milk on your scalp, rubbing it into the roots of your hair. Regular coconut milk applications can significantly reduce hair loss, and in the course of several weeks, the results would be striking.

The high phosphorous content is instrumental in making your bones and teeth healthy and strong. Along with calcium it prevents the bones from becoming fragile.

A cup of coconut milk can provide your organism with about one fourth of a daily dose of iron. A great number of people worldwide suffer from iron deficiency, which causes anemia. The lack of iron in the body leads to poor haemoglobin development in the blood, which, in its turn, does not allow to keep the proper level of oxygen. So, with every reason you can include coconut milk into your diet.

After strenuous physical activity you can drink a cup of coconut milk. It relaxes muscles, relieves their soreness.

You try your best to lose weight? Or it is hard for you to control it? Try coconut milk. It is known to aid in keeping your weight in balance, preventing your body from gaining fat. The milk speeds up metabolism. Due to the high dietary fiber content it makes you feel replete very rapidly. The milk of the coconut contains highly saturated fat, which consists of short-chain fatty acids and medium-chain fatty acids. So the fat does not store in your body, it is turned into energy. That is why coconut milk is a perfect means for those struggling with weight issues.

Due to selenium content, which is a major antioxidant, coconut milk can be helpful in alleviating arthritis symptoms and other joint inflammations.

The milk also aids to reduce high blood pressure, because of the high potassium content.

Coconut milk is perfect to boost your immune system. It increases our body resistance ability to various diseases, infections and other ailments. Coconut milk supplies your body with a sufficient number of vitamins, which help to improve your immunity. The lauric acid content possesses antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

Coconut milk improves digestion. The very lauric acid due to its antibacterial qualities fights off various bacteria, which cause digestive disorders.

Those, who are lactose intolerant, can add coconut milk into their diet without any fear. It is dairy-free.

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