Vegan Coconut Cream Cupcakes

Moist little coconut cakes are filled with a creamy coconut custard, topped with a fluffy coconut frosting…and topped with flakes of toasted coconut. Now while that’s a lot of coconut name calling, these sweet treats are delicately flavored and totally indulgent!

First up, start with baking the cupcakes so they can cool. Meanwhile, make the custard so it also has time to chill, and then whip up the frosting. Using the wide end of an icing tip or a small knife, remove the center of the cupcakes so we can tuck some delicious custard inside. Top with a swirl of frosting and a sprinkle of coconut, and we’re ready to indulge!  If you like a little more texture in your cupcakes, you can also add in fine coconut shreds to the batter. For this recipe, I was going for tender, pillow-like cupcakes, reserving the top for a bit more texture.

Step #1: Cut a small hole in the cupcakes with a frosting tip.

Step #2: Fill the cupcakes with coconut custard.

Step #3: Top the Cupcakes with a Cloud of Coconut Frosting.

Step #4: Top with toasted coconut and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Vegan Coconut Cream Cupcakes:

• Don’t reduce the amount of sugar or oil – these are both very important for the structure and texture of the cupcakes. Reducing them or substituting with other ingredients will effect the quality and moist character of the cupcakes.
• This recipe calls for full-fat coconut milk. I’m referring to canned coconut milk (not coconut beverage found in the cooler section of the grocery store). A full-fat coconut milk helps create a tender crumb, but also contributes more flavor than a lower fat coconut milk or the beverage variety. Some coconut milk contains gums which can also affect the quality of the cupcakes, possibly making them a bit rubbery.
• Don’t over-mix the batter – this encourages the gluten to develop which leads to tough cupcakes.
• If you like the texture of coconut in your cupcakes, you can add 1/2 cup of fine unsweetened coconut shreds to the batter.
• You can use cornstarch if you don’t have custard powder although the filling won’t be as flavorful.
• For the frosting, avoid using tub margarine as it contains more water so the frosting may be too soft to hold its shape and will melt very easily. If you will be sharing these treats in a space that’s hot, I’d recommend using just non-hydrogenated shortening rather than using half shortening and half stick-style vegan butter. Shortening does not melt as easily as vegan butter can, so your frosting will hold up better.
• Speaking of which, have your vegan butter out to soften at room temperature before making the frosting. This is easier on your beaters/mixer, and makes for a fluffier frosting!

If you make these Vegan Coconut Cream Cupcakes, please let me know in the comments below, and feel free to give it a rating! Also, I love connecting on Instagram where you can tag me in your creations using my recipes. I love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!

Vegan Coconut Cream Cupcakes

Moist little coconut cakes are filled with a creamy coconut custard, topped with a fluffy coconut frosting...and topped with flakes of toasted coconut. Now while that's a lot of coconut name calling, these sweet treats are delicately flavored and totally indulgent!

4.85 from 13 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Vegan Coconut Cupcakes, Vegan Cupcakes

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cooling: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Calories: 571kcal

Author: Bronwyn

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
• ⅓ cup neutral oil (e.g. avocado, canola, etc)
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white distilled vinegar)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tsp coconut extract
• ½ cup fine shred unsweetened coconut, optional

For the Custard Filling:

• 4 tbsp vegan custard powder
• 4 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 cups full-fat coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp coconut extract

For the Frosting:

• ½ cup vegan butter sticks, room temperature (not tub style)
• ½ cup non-hydrogenated shortening
• 3 ½ cups confectioner's sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 2-5 tbsp full-fat coconut milk, room temperature
• toasted coconut

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the Cupcakes:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a standard size cupcake/muffin baking tray with cupcake liners.
  
• Sift the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to blend. Stir in coconut shreds if using.
  
• In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, oil, vinegar and extracts. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Whisk until just combined, do not over-mix.
  
• Fill the paper liners about 3/4 full with the cupcake batter. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few cooked crumbs. Cool the bases in the tray for 5 minutes and then transfer each cupcake to a cooling rack. Let cupcakes cool completely before filling and frosting.

For the Filling:

• In a medium sized pot, combine the custard powder and sugar. Whisk in the coconut milk. Turn the heat on to medium and bring the custard to a boil, stirring often to prevent scorching. Once thickened, remove from heat. Do not over cook.
  
• Pour the custard into a bowl, and place a piece of cling wrap directly over the custard so a skin does not form. Set to cool in the fridge for about an hour.
  

For the Frosting:

• In a stand mixer with a balloon whisk (or with a large bowl and beaters), beat the vegan butter and shortening together until fluffy. Add in the confectioner's sugar, one cup at a time. Beat for 3-4 minutes, scraping down the sides occasionally. Add in the extracts and beat another minute. Add the coconut milk 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a pipe-able consistency, slightly too firm is easier to manage than too soft. Beat for 5 minutes more.
  

To Assemble the Cupcakes:

• Using the wide end of a frosting tip, an apple corer or small knife, remove the centers from the cupcakes.
• Whip the custard to loosen it up and make it a bit more fluid. Fill the centers of the cupcakes with the custard.
• Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes and sprinkle with toasted coconut.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 571kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 280mg | Potassium: 131mg | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2.2mg

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