Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1.5 tsp Baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp Sea salt
  • 0.5 cup Unsalted butter, softened and cubed
  • 0.5 cup Full-fat canned coconut milk
  • 1 Large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp Coconut extract
  • Zest of 2 organic limes
  • 8 oz Full-fat cream cheese, chilled
  • 0.5 cup Unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups Confectioners' sugar, sifted
  • 2 tbsp Fresh lime juice
  • 1 tbsp Lime zest
  • 0.5 cup Sweetened shredded coconut

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the 1.5 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, 1.5 tsp baking powder, and 0.5 tsp sea salt. Add the zest of 2 limes to the sugar and rub it between your fingers until the sugar is fragrant and moist.
  3. Add the 0.5 cup cubed, softened butter to the dry ingredients. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer on low speed until the mixture looks like wet sand.
  4. In a separate jug, whisk the 0.5 cup canned coconut milk, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, and 0.5 tsp coconut extract. Pour this into the flour mixture and beat on medium speed for 1 minute until the batter is pale and velvety.
  5. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 liners. Bake for 20 minutes until the tops spring back when touched and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before you even think about frosting them.
  6. While the cakes cool, beat the 8 oz chilled cream cheese and 0.5 cup softened butter together. Mix until no lumps remain and the texture is smooth.
  7. Gradually add the 3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar. Beat on low speed initially, then high speed until the frosting is stiff and fluffy.
  8. Mix in the 2 tbsp lime juice and 1 tbsp lime zest. Fold them in gently until the green flecks are evenly distributed.
  9. Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle with the 0.5 cup sweetened shredded coconut until the tops are generously covered.