Coconut Cupcakes for Valentine's Day!

Happy soon to be Valentine's Day! To kick start that romantic evening, why don't you take some time this weekend and make your significant other (or a friend) a batch of these amazing cupcakes! My sister (the contributor for this post) made these and boy, they look beautiful! Now, I'd say the only problem with cupcakes is the difficulty in saying, "no" after just one - cupcakes are just that good, but you can do it! Enjoy one and then share with others to say, "Happy Valentine's Day!" xo.

Coconut Cupcakes
from Laurie Chilton's kitchen3 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 c sugar
¾ c unsalted butter – softened
6 large eggs
1 ½ tsp almond extract
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
1 c buttermilk
5 c sweetened flaked coconut divided, I like Bakers best

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 24 muffin pan cups with cupcake liners.

2. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix with a whisk.

3. In a large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat sugar and butter 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in extracts.

4. Beat in flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat just until blended, scraping the bowl often. Stir in 2 cups coconut.

5. Spoon batter by 1/3 c into paper liners, filling almost to the top. Bake 25-30 minutes or until cupcakes are golden brown and toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes and then cool completely on racks.

Cream Cheese Frosting
2 8oz pkgs – cream cheese, softened
¾ cups softened butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
5 ½ cups sifted powdered sugar

1. Beat together all frosting ingredients, except sugar, until fluffy.

2. Add sugar while beating on low – a large spoonful at a time. Increase speed to medium and beat until smooth and creamy.

3. Best to chill in fridge 15-20 minutes before frosting. You can use a knife to frost the cupcakes, but if you pipe it on, you'll get a nice thick layer.

4. Spoon or sprinkle remaining coconut on top of the frosting.

Enjoy!