I once wrote an ode to coconut on my blog because what’s not to love about coconut.
Unbelievably, for every person that I know who loves coconut, I know one more that hates it.
I don’t get it. How can you not love coconut?
I have a theory that much of the coconut-dislike relates to the dried or dessicated forms of coconut that you find in the baking section in most supermarkets. Sweetened shredded for sweetened flaked coconut can be a bit much, especially if it’s of poor quality.
I, however, have no such issues. I will eat coconut in pretty much any form in both sweet and savoury dishes.
When I saw the recipe for Vanilla-Bean Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting in the April 2009 issue of Bon Appétit, I was particularly intrigued because the recipe calls for reduced coconut milk, which is coconut milk that is cooked down until it’s thickened.
First of all, reduced coconut milk is now my new favourite thing. Secondly, the reduced coconut milk gives these cupcakes both a moistness and an extra boost of coconut flavour. I cannot recommend them highly enough!
As you know, this is my Magazine Mondays post. I don’t always go into the details but basically if you’ve posted a recipe on your blog from a magazine, send the link to me and I’ll include it in my next Magazine Mondays post.
This week I’m joined by Tamy of 3 Sides of Crazy who made Pineapple Cider Brine Pork Chops with Root Beer Pineapple Barbecue Sauce, Broccoli Green Almond Sauté and Strawblackberry Shortcake Topping.
Have a great week, everyone!
Ciao!
28 comments
Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)
As a fellow coconut lover, these cupcakes really appeal to me! I love how they look! Cant wait to try them!
Natashya
Yum, they look awesome! I am in the love coconut camp, and cilantro too – which also seems to divide the foodie population.
I have this issue, looking forward to reading all about them.
Sweet Kitchen
Oh my! These look amazing.
Where did you find the brown cupcake liners in Toronto? I’ve been meaning to look for a better cake supply shop but keep putting it off so any leads would be very much appreciated!
Valérie
I know someone who loves coconut, but hates cupcakes… However, I think even he would fall for these little beauties!
Jenny
My grandfather likes coconut so much that he tells a story about how when he was younger, he used to sit and eat coconut out of the bags of sweetened flaked coconut. But then, he also used to trade his ice cream desserts for other people’s creamed corn, so yes, he is an oddy.
The cupcakes look great and I bet he’d love them.
Alejandra
Like Jenny’s grandfather, I also ate the coconut flakes out of the bags. Now I much prefer the delicious taste of fresh coconut. Oh! And as for people who love and hate it. I remember a few years ago, I found a card in the shape of a coconut with an inside message that said “I love coconut. You hate coconut. Doesn’t meant we can’t be friends.” I thought it was adorable and bought it for a friend.
breadchick
I’m thinking it is time to do a Coconut Cupcake Throwdown between Ina Garten’s coconut cupcakes (My personal Gold Standard coconut cake/cupcake recipe) and the Bon Appetit.
I’m with you Ivonne, bring on the coconut no matter where it is!!
Diana
I absolutely LOVE coconut. I want to put it in everything. These cupcakes look amazing. I also love the dark brown baking liners that you use.
Patricia Scarpin
Ivonne, count me in for the coconut lovers – Brazilians in general love it!
These are beautiful.
Karine
I used to hate coconut but now I love it! Your cupcakes look great!
Paz
Your cupcakes looks terrific!
Paz
Rachel
I am so with you on not understanding the coconut haters! These look delicious!
tina
Everywhere I turn lately there are coconut cupcakes. I too was enchanted with the idea of reduced coconut milk—– now I think I can no longer ignore the coconutty siren call.
Bellini Valli
I am definitely a coconut lover…give me a Bounty bar over anything!!!
Micas
coconut, cupcakes, muffins… whatever… just love it!
Abby
I, too, love coconut in almost any form. Especially fresh, raw coconut. I love to chew on it!
I said almost. That’s because I do NOT like coconut cocktails, or anything tropical for that matter. Ew.
Your cupcakes are gorgeous! The frosting made me drool a bit.
Claudia Haas
These looks scrumptious! Irarely cook with coconut because – guess what? My daughter hates it! She can sniff it out. I mean, where did she come from? Living vicariously tonight through your blog.
Brandon
Wow! Those look amazing! My family is indifferent to coconut, and they’ll eat it if I hide it cleverly–especially in cakes and cupcakes! I just discovered your blog today, but I’m already bookmarking a lot of recipes I want to try–thanks for the inspiration! I’m moving out next year to go to Ryerson University, and I plan on writing a food blog about a college kitchen, and it’s great seeing other local blogs out there.
Jillian
I agree- what’s not to love about coconut? These look awesome!
Olive
Hi Ivonne
I’m a coconut-NUT like you, I am from the Philippines and I grew up on kakanins- our native sweet delicacies, coconut is one of the main ingredients. I don’t know if you haven’t yet, but you should try making kakanin, you’ll Love it! AND.. if you try to reduce the coconut milk further you’ll end up with latik, the topping we used for our kakanins, it’s yummy!
I will definitely try this recipe.
npm
I’m a big fan of cupcakes and coconut, amongst other fruits. This cupcakes look so tempting. Thanks for posting it.
Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy
what can I say, but YUMMY! These look sooooooooooooooooo good!
Irene
I love the frosting! These photos are REALLY REALLY making me want a cupcake!
Annemarie
I agree with the how-could-you-dislike-coconut confusion. So sweet! So wonderful! I have a friend who dislikes peanut butter which also flabergasts me (and meant he didn’t *love* my gift of peanut butter brownies). These look gorgeous.
Candy
I completely agree with you on the awesomeness that is coconut in all forms. I too have recently discovered coconut milk and have used it in ice cream and even soup. Your cupcakes are beautiful!
Lori
Oh these look so yummy. I wish I could reach in and grab one!
virtual jess
mmmm coconut!
I feel compelled to tell you about my favorite coconut cupcake recipe. It’s the one from “vegan cupcakes take over the world”. It’s a coconut-chocolate-coffee extravaganza of happiness in my mouth. I love the texture that coconut milk adds to baked goods (and ice cream. and just about everything else…) so I can’t wait to try reduced coconut milk! I would have thought that the coconut flavour would dissipate with the heat. Usually, if I want thicker coconut milk, I separate the cream from the water by putting the can in the fridge, and re-add water to get the right consistency. I must try reducing it though. I wonder how that would hold up in ice cream.
saltandserenity
Have you ever noticed the strong correlation between coconut haters and cilantro haters? What gives??? I am on the YES side of anything coconut and these are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
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