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These Coconut Macaroon Cupcakes are made with a moist coconut cupcake, a layer of chocolate ganache and a light coconut meringue frosting that’s covered with more toasted coconut! A fun cupcake inspired by the classic macaroon!
When these cupcakes popped into my head, I couldn’t wait to make them! A good macaroon is so tasty and I really wanted a cupcake that was just as yummy. Plus, with spring coming the coconut just seemed perfect!
So to start, we’ve got a moist coconut cupcake. They begin with the creaming of the butter and sugar – a very important step. You don’t want to skimp on the creaming time because it helps give you a cupcake with that light and fluffy texture.
Once the cupcakes are baked and ready to go, it’s time to make the frosting. The frosting was the hardest part for me to decide on. Macaroons are fairly light and I wanted to get that light feel in these cupcakes, so I ended up going with a meringue frosting that’s full of toasted coconut! While certainly not the exact texture of a macaroon, it’s full of coconut flavor, has a little crunch from the toasted coconut and is definitely reminiscent of the cookie.
The meringue is really quite easy to make too. Sugar, cream of tarter, coconut extract and egg whites are combined in a double boiler – or a mixer bowl over a pot of simmering water, which I use – and cooked until the sugar is dissolved and the egg whites reach between 120 and 140 degrees. Pop the mixer bowl onto the mixer with the whisk attachment and whisk until stiff peaks form. Thats it! You’ve got meringue! Add the toasted coconut to it and your frosting is ready to go.
As another nod to the macaroon cookie, which I love when dipped into chocolate, I added a little layer of chocolate ganache to the top of each cupcake before adding the frosting. It looks a little like the coconut topping was dipped in chocolate and it adds a nice hint of chocolate to the cupcake.
To add the frosting to the cupcakes, I used my large round piping tip. The frosting is added in kind of a round mound. With the coconut in it, it’s hard to pipe it in any sort of smooth mound, but then I used my offset spatula to smooth it out and get that nice round shape. Next, a little more toasted coconut can be sprinkled around the frosting. It sticks nicely to the meringue and finishes off that nice macaroon look! For a little more help with how to make everything, be sure to check out the video just above the recipe.
These cupcakes were a hit! Several coconut lovers in the family couldn’t get enough of them! They are light, full of coconut and delicious! I hope you enjoy them!
Watch How To Make These
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Coconut Macaroon Cupcakes
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 Cupcakes
- Category: Cupcakes
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
These fun Coconut Macaroon Cupcakes are inspired by classic macaroons! They’re made with moist coconut cupcakes, layered with chocolate ganache and a dome of light coconut meringue frosting that’s covered with toasted coconut.
Ingredients
Coconut Meringue Frosting
- 4 cups (11 oz) sweetened coconut flakes, divided use
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 2 tsp coconut extract
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
Coconut Cupcakes
- 6 tbsp (84g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup (155g) sugar
- 6 tbsp (86g) sour cream
- 1 tbsp coconut extract
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 1/4 cups (163g) all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp (90ml) milk
- 2 tbsp (30ml) water
Chocolate Ganache
- 4 oz (114g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 5 1/2 tbsp (82ml) heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Toast the Coconut
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Spread the coconut flakes out over a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Toast it in the oven until lightly browned, tossing occasionally. It should take a total of about 7-10 minutes.
- Remove the coconut from the oven and set aside to cool.
Make the Cupcakes
- Turn the oven down to 350°F (176°C) and prepare a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- In a medium sized bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light in color and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the sour cream and coconut extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the egg whites in two batches, mixing until well combined. Set aside.
- Get out two small mixing bowls. In one, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In another, combine milk and water.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until well combined. Add all the milk mixture and mix until well combined. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Fill cupcake liners about halfway with batter. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.
- Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes. Then remove cupcakes from the pan to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Make the Frosting and Ganache
- While cupcakes cool, make the frosting. Place a saucepan or pot of water on the stove and bring it to a simmer.
- Combine the sugar, cream of tartar, coconut extract and egg whites in a large mixer bowl. Place the bowl over your saucepan or pot of simmering water. You can also use a double boiler, if preferred.
- Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm, to 160°F (71°C) on a thermometer, about 4-6 minutes. Remove the frosting bowl from the saucepan or pot and turn off burner.
- Using the whisk attachment, beat the egg white mixture on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Fold 3 cups of the toasted coconut into the meringue (1 cup toasted coconut remains to be used for the topping). Set frosting aside.
- Start the ganache by putting the chocolate chips in a medium heat proof bowl.
- Heat the heavy whipping cream in a small microwave safe bowl until it begins to boil, then pour it over the chocolate chips.
- Allow the chocolate and cream to sit undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
Assemble the Cupcakes
- Spread a small amount of chocolate ganache over the tops of each fully cooled cupcake.
- Pipe the frosting onto the ganache-topped cupcakes in a mound. I used Ateco tip 808. You can use an offset spatula to help shape the frosting into a mound, if needed.
- Use the remaining cup of toasted coconut to sprinkle over and around the frosting.
- Refrigerate cupcakes until ready to serve. Bring cupcakes to room temperature before serving. Best when eaten within 2-3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cupcake
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 39.3 g
- Sodium: 148.6 mg
- Fat: 17.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 53.2 g
- Protein: 5.6 g
- Cholesterol: 22.5 mg
Enjoy!
Can I make the toasted coconut ahead of time by like a week or so?
Sure! And you can actually buy already toasted coconut at some places too.
I tried this recipe, it was sooo delicious! The frosting was divine! Thanks so much Lindsay.😀
So glad you enjoyed them!
Can you tell me how the meringue frosting holds up? And do we refrigerate these for keeping?
The meringue frosting held up perfectly for me for several days. It never changed shape or wilted or anything. Yes, I would refrigerate them.
Hi Lindsay
Do I double or triple the recipe for 2- 8” cakes?
Thanks
Toni
Double.
Tried these and they were a big hit. Delicious. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
So glad you enjoyed them!
Wish there were pictures with ALL of your printed recipes. I grew up with ONLY “tried and true” cookbooks (most without pictures) and have quite a collection, including my Mother’s. I have literally spent hours (not to mention paper and ink!) printing off many of your wonderfully creative recipes that I want to collect (and hope to make). I was beginning to think it was old school, but I’m so glad you’re keeping the “tradition” alive with your new cookbook even if there are still many more recipes on your website.
Are you sure that it is 3 TABLESPOONS OF COCONUT EXTRACT? It didn’t look like it in your video.
Many thanks, TJ
Thanks for pointing that out – it should be 3 tsp (1 tbsp). I have updated the ingredients.
Thank you for your prompt reply as I am making them tomorrow for my quilting friends……I know we are going to love them.
By the way last Wednesday I made your recipe for Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese….and they were wonderful. Made it exactly the way you printed it and oh boy, they were a big hit and easy to make.
Many thanks….TJ
Love the coconut meringue frosting! What a great flavor for a cupcake!
Oh my goodness, I love these. I love coconut, and macaroons and anything with coconut. I will just have to make these 🙂 Thanks Lindsay for the amazing recipe 🙂
Coconut is underrated as far as I’m concerned! I’ll make these and report back 🙂
these sound coconutty, but not overly so. and that swipe of chocolate ganache under the coconut meringue crown makes it even better ????