Dole Whip Cupcakes (Printable version)
Tropical pineapple cupcakes with creamy whipped frosting inspired by the famous frozen treat.
# What you'll need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/4 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
08 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice, reserved from drained pineapple
09 - 1/3 cup whole milk
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Pineapple Whipped Frosting
11 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
12 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
14 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
15 - Yellow food coloring, optional
→ Garnish
16 - Pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries, optional
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
04 - Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
05 - Stir in the vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, and reserved pineapple juice.
06 - Gradually mix in half the dry ingredients, followed by the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
07 - Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
08 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
09 - Beat the chilled heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form.
10 - Add the powdered sugar, pineapple juice, and vanilla extract. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Tint with yellow food coloring if desired.
11 - Pipe or spread the whipped frosting generously onto the completely cooled cupcakes.
12 - Top each cupcake with a pineapple wedge or maraschino cherry if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The frosting tastes suspiciously close to the real frozen treat but in cupcake form
- They come together in under 40 minutes with zero fancy technique required
02 -
- Overmixing after adding the flour is the number one way to end up with dense hockey pucks instead of light cupcakes
- The frosting will deflate if you try to make it ahead so whip it right before you plan to frost
03 -
- Chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for ten minutes before whipping the cream and you will get stiffer peaks with less effort
- These are best eaten within a few hours of frosting but if you must store them keep the frosted ones uncovered in the fridge so the whipped cream does not get smooshed