Home Baked Memories

Coconut Cupcakes
adapted from Barefoot Contessa at Home

makes about 36 cupcakes

For the Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
5 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
4 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

For the Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 pound powdered sugar, sifted
3 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted witht he paddle attachement, mix the oil and sugar on medium high speed for 2-3 minutes, until thouroughly combined. Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to beat well in between each addition. Scrape the bowl down once during the mixing of the eggs. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. Fold in the 4 ounces of coconut with a rubber spatula.

Fill the lined cupcake pans 3/4 full. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

For the frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.
Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.