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Let me start my apologizing for my absence lately. Between work and a few other things going on, I have been slammed! I was able to enjoy a relaxing weekend at home and got some serious baking done. White chocolate serious.
I am really excited about these white chocolate cupcakes with macadamia nuts and coconut. Only in the past couple years was I introduce to macadamia nut cookies, and I am totally hooked. I wanted to make a cupcake version of the cookie. These cupcakes are a white chocolate cupcake infused with a hint of coconut. For the frosting I made a white chocolate cream cheese rolled in toasted coconut and topped with macadamia nuts. I love the salty nuts contrasted against the creamy frosting.
You will love this cupcake, because you would never know it’s from a box! The cupcake has a very light crumb but actually has a lot of structure. What do I mean by structure? It doesn’t fall apart when you peel back the wrapper. From someone like me who likes the frosting piled high, you always appreciate a cupcake with good structure.
I know a lot of people don’t care of coconut, and I am one of them. That’s why this is the perfect recipe for someone like me. There is only a slight hint of coconut in the cupcake that blends well with white chocolate. The toasted coconut around the edge is totally optional, but I found that I prefer the toasted coconut over raw coconut.
The recipe below is an adaption from the Your Cup of Cake blog. I started out with some basic ingredients for the white cupcake and added a few additional elements to achieve what I was going for. I absolutely adore Lizzy’s cupcakes and have made several different recipes. I recently purchased her new cookbook as well. If you like to keep thing easy with boxed cake mixes, I highly recommend this cookbook! The recipes are super creative. Please note in both of the recipes below, I call for vanilla bean paste. If you don’t have this, you can absolutely substitute in vanilla extract.
White Chocolate Cupcake
Adapted from Your Cup of Cake
Make 24 cupcakes
3 Oz White chocolate, melted and cooled.
1 Box white cake mix
4 Large egg whites
1/3 C Oil
3/4 C Buttermilk
3/4 C Light sour cream
1 1/2 tsp Coconut extract
2 tsp Vanilla bean paste (or substitute vanilla extract)
- Melt white chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments until melted and smooth. Use a spoon to stir after each increment to help melt the chocolate. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly; batter will be thick.
- Fill lined cupcake pan 2/3 full. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Check your cupcake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cupcake. If your tooth pick comes out clean, your cupcake is done. Allow to cool in the pan for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
The white chocolate cream cheese frosting is from Paula Deen. If you like a lot of frosting, follow the recipe as instructed below. If you are going to be using only a knife to spread it across the top, than I suggest to cut this recipe in half unless you like leftover frosting. Seriously though, who doesn’t?
White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe by Paula Deen
6 oz White chocolate chips
1/3 C Heavy whipping cream
1 Package cream cheese (8 oz) at room temperature
1 C Butter (2 sticks) at room temperature
5-6 C Powdered confectionary sugar
1 tsp Vanilla bean extract (or substitute vanilla extract)
- Combine white chocolate and heavy cream in a heatproof bowl. Melt on the stove over a pot with simmering water on medium high. Stir until melted. Remove from heat and cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter for several minutes on medium speed until smooth and well combined. Next, add the melted chocolate and beat on medium speed until well combined.
- Slowly add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and beating well after each addition.
- Lastly, add vanilla bean extract and beat until mixed.
I hope you love these cupcakes as much as I do! Next time I make these, I am adding rum and this will be my coconut colada cupcakes because if you are a follower of my blog you know I like boozy cupcakes!
If YOU like boozy cupcakes too, you can check out my Happy Hour Cupcakes: Rum Cake, Guinness Stout Maple Bacon Cupcakes or the Mocha Irish Cream Cupcake.
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for newbie blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Hi there! Absolutely. I can plug you into some good resources. Please send me an email: beyondfrosting@gmail.com
Hi…love the photo! Can you comment on the tip used for the frosting and how you suggest applying the toasted coconut just around the edges? Please? Thank you! 🙂
Hi Pam! Why thank you! The tip I used was an Ateco 849. The frosting is very stable, so to apply the coconut I used my hands and gently pressed it into the sides of the frosting. You could also try using a spoon. Make sure to put a plate underneath to catch the extra coconut!
I absolutely love all things coconut! Your frosting looks amazing!!!
Hi Jocelyn!! Thank you so much!!! I love to pipe frosting!
These are so pretty. I love coconut and you frosted them perfectly!!!
Hi Aimee, thanks for the kind words! I am so excited you stopped by. I am a huge fan of your blog!
bookmarked!!, I love your blog!
Your cupcakes look divine!
Hi Rosie! Thank you so much! I love to try and capture the dramatic curves of the frosting! Haha.
this frosting job is gorgeous! Gotta love paula deen., I need to try your recipe! And the cupcakes themselves look incredible. I love white chocolate and coconut together.
Thank you Sally! If you prefer a strong coconut taste, I would suggest to play with the amount of extract accordingly 🙂
Foodie Photographer Extraordinare! Yum!
Why thank you D.D.!