Check out these semi-homemade Coconut Cream Cupcakes! Made from a doctored-up cake mix and topped with homemade buttercream frosting…easy AND delicious!

If you like coconut as much as I do, you’re going to LOVE these semi-homemade Coconut Cream Cupcakes with Homemade Buttercream Frosting!

Made from a doctored up cake mix and homemade buttercream frosting, these Coconut Cream Cupcakes are easy AND delicious!

When that craving for coconut cupcakes hits, coconut lovers will be so happy that they have this moist cupcakes recipe! If you’re a fan of coconut, you seriously can’t miss these cake mix cupcakes!

how to make cupcakes with homemade frosting

Pin this recipe now to save it for later

Coconut Cream Cupcake Recipe

One of my most favorite things to splurge on is cupcakes. I love all cupcakes! I also love cake, but having a cupcake is like having a perfectly sized portion of a piece of cake right in your hand.

Plus, it’s easy to eat, you get the perfect amount of cake and frosting in each bite and they’re just so darn cute! I have to refrain from making them often since they are so easy to just grab one as you’re walking by the counter. I end up eating way more than I should!

One of my favorite flavors of cupcakes is coconut! I love coconut anything, really. When I was growing up, my mom made the best coconut cake. And I wanted to take that same delicious taste and put into a cupcake form.

I’m pretty sure I accomplished that with these easy cupcakes!

close up of coconut cupcakes

You could make this Coconut Cream Cupcake from scratch (like my Coconut Cake), but I’ve found that doctoring up a cake mix provides the best flavor and consistency every time.

I use Duncan Hines cake mixes since they are Wilton approved. Did you know that MOST wedding cakes come from this box mix? I had no idea until I saw a local baker buying a ton at the store one day and then a friend of mine shared this secret from her cake making classes!

See…anyone can be an amazing baker with just a little practice and these cupcakes are about as easy as it gets!

Ingredients for Coconut Cream Cupcakes

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

  • White cake mix – Any brand of white cake mix will work. I like to use Pillsbury Moist Supreme Classic White.
  • All purpose flour
  • Granulated white sugar
  • Salt
  • Water
  • Vegetable oil or canola oil – Either type of neutral-flavored oil will work.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Sour cream – Be sure to use full-fat sour cream, not the low fat stuff. You want the extra fat to make the cupcakes creamy and rich.
  • Eggs
  • Coconut cream – You can often find this in liquor store or near alcoholic mixers. My local grocery store also carries coconut cream in cans near the Mexican food section. Be sure to grab coconut cream rather than coconut milk. Coconut cream is much sweeter and thicker.

How To Make Coconut Cupcakes Topped with Shredded Coconut

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF.
  2. Line the cupcake pan: Place cupcake liners in cupcake pans.
  3. Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, flour, sugar, and salt.
  4. Beat: Add remaining ingredients and beat for 2 minutes, or until well blended.
  5. Fill the cupcake liners: Use an ice cream scoop to fill prepared cupcake tins- fill about 3/4 full.
  6. Bake: Bake for about 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool the cupcakes: Remove cupcakes to a wire rack to cool.
  8. Add the coconut cream: Using a chopstick or straw, poke several holes in each cupcake. Pour about a tablespoon of coconut cream into each cupcake.
  9. Cool and frost: Allow to cool and frost with my buttercream frosting using a 1m tip to create bakery-style frosted tops.
  10. Top with coconut: Top with sweetened coconut – patting down slightly so that it doesn’t fall off.
easy cake mix cupcakes topped with coconut

Quick Tip

I use my buttercream frosting and top it with sweetened coconut. I have to say that the frosting is key to an amazing cupcake! It’s not too sweet or heavy. My recipe always turns out the same which makes it the best go-to frosting for cupcakes or cakes!

How to Store Coconut Cream Cupcakes

Add the cupcakes to an airtight container and keep them stored in the fridge. They should stay fresh for up to 2 days. These cupcakes do need to be refrigerated because they are so dense and moist. They would spoil quickly if left at room temperature for more than a day!

FAQs

Can I use other toppings for the frosting?

You can. I think adding a coconut cream cheese frosting would be super delicious as well. Anything that you think will pair well with the flavor of the cupcake batter is fair game to use! Add some powdered sugar to the top of the cupcakes as well!

Do you have to add the coconut filling?

These cool cupcakes are so good with the secret ingredient filling in the middle! Adding in the cream of coconut makes for the best coconut cake and cupcake flavor, ever. The first time you make these cupcakes, add the middle! It’s a wonderful recipe when you make it just like it calls for!

Can you freeze baked cupcakes?

You bet! Just add the baked cupcakes to a freezer safe bag and freeze them for later. Once you unthaw them, you can then add the frosting fresh on top.

Coconut Cream Cupcakes with Homemade Buttercream Frosting

More Easy Cupcake Recipes

Coconut Cream Cupcakes with Homemade Buttercream Frosting

Coconut Cream Cupcakes with Homemade Buttercream Frosting

Check out these semi-homemade Coconut Cream Cupcakes! Made from a doctored up cake mix and topped with homemade buttercream frosting…easy AND delicious!
3.65 from 51 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 1 Duncan Hines box white cake mix
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/3 cups water
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon good vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 can coconut cream sometimes found in the alcohol section

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  • Place cupcake liners in cupcake pans
  • In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, flour, sugar and salt.
  • Add remaining ingredients and beat for 2 minutes, or until well blended.
  • Use an ice cream scoop to fill prepared cupcake tins- fill about 3/4 full.
  • Bake about 18 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Remove cupcakes to wire rack to cool.
  • Using a chop stick or straw, poke several holes in each cupcake. Pour in about a tablespoon of coconut cream into each cupcake
  • Allow to cool and frost with my buttercream frosting using a 1m tip to create bakery style frosted tops
  • Top with sweetened coconut – patting down slightly to so that it doesn’t fall off.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!
buttercream frosting

Buttercream Frosting

Buttercream Frosting is easy to make with my simple tips and tricks! Take your cake and cupcake recipes from ordinary to extraordinary with real butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt!ย 
3.90 from 68 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter
  • 5 cups confectioners sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • dash of salt
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk

Instructions 

  • Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
  • Reduce the speed to low, slowly add confectioners, and beat until fully incorporated and smooth, about 3 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the paddle and sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
  • Add vanilla and salt. Mixing completely.
  • Add milk one tablespoon at a time until it’s a smooth consistency. Turn mixer to high and beat until light and fluffy.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 2mg | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

Need to alter a recipe for other measurements? Try this free printable that shows you How Many Cups in a Quart, Pint or Gallon and other valuable ways to translate while you cook.

If you like this recipe…try these next!

Categories: , ,

About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

Comments

  1. Kay Frazier says:

    I have not made these cupcakes yet, but to those of you that have or are going to, you need to read all directions before baking. It says to add all ingredients but then it says to add the coconut cream after the cupcakes are baked. I look forward to trying this recipe. Thank you!

    1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

      We would love to see a picture of your creation if you try them out! We hope you enjoy, Kay!

  2. Emily says:

    1 star
    Simple but did not turn out. You would be better off just using a white boxed cake mix and following the directions. Cupcakes fell completely flat.

  3. Cynthia says:

    2 stars
    Added all remaining ingredients as per the directionsโ€ฆ.the recipe needs to have better instructionsโ€ฆ was making these for a party tonight and donโ€™t have the time to start all overโ€ฆ.canโ€™t serve them they way they are, very disappointed!

  4. Martha says:

    How much is two sticks of butter? All sticks are different โ€”how many cups

    1. Kasey Schwartz says:

      1 cup.

    2. Michelle - ATM Team says:

      Two sticks = 1 cup ๐Ÿ™‚

3.65 from 51 votes (48 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.