Coconut Cupcakes

Crazy Coconut Cupcakes

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup raw coconut oil

1/2 cup shredded coconut

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place cupcake liners in the cupcake pan. Note that I wanted to make a small batch. This makes about 11-12 cupcakes. If you need more, double the recipe.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, shredded coconut, and salt, and mix with a fork.

Separate the egg. Beat the egg white until it forms gentle peaks, but isn't dry.

Set aside.

Beat the egg yolk briefly, slow the mixer and add a the coconut oil. Slowly add some of the flour mixture. Alternate adding the liquids and the rest of the flour mixture.

Gently fold about 1/4 of the mixture into the egg white. Add the rest in two portions, folding each time. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about 3/4 full. Bake 18-22 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

If you're the type who prefers the cake part of cupcakes, top these with a strawberry and you're done. They're delicious without frosting. But if you're the type who thinks nothing can be too sweet -- go for the frosting below!

Crazy Coconut Cupcake Frosting

Interestingly, raw coconut oil does not need to be refrigerated. That made me start thinking about buttercream and how delicate it is in the heat. If you've read The Diva Takes the Cake, you know what I'm talking about! I don't know how well coconut oil frosting will stand up to heat, but here it is --

6 tablespoons raw coconut oil

4-6 tablespoons milk or cream

3 cups powdered sugar

Place the coconut oil in the mixer with 2-3 tablespoons of milk or cream and mix. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well. Alternate adding the liquid and the sugar until it reaches a nice frosting consistency. Spread or pipe on the cupcakes. I sprinkled mine with a little bit of Wilton's Sprinkles.

Losing weight has never been so sweet!

I was itching to try raw coconut oil. I dipped a spoon into it and tried just a taste. It reminds me a little bit of an Almond Joy or a Mounds, but it has the texture of Crisco. A little bit of research indicates that raw coconut oil is nothing short of a miracle food curing hair and skin issues, "maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength." WEIGHT LOSS? Bring on the coconut oil!

By now you see where this is going. I had to make crazy coconut cupcakes. To lose weight -- you understand.