Blackberry Coconut Cupcakes
Tropical coconut and fresh blackberries come together beautifully in these light and dreamy cupcakes! Â You’ll love the combination of flavors, along with the sweet cream cheese frosting. Â These blackberry coconut cupcakes are perfect for a party!
Good morning everybody! Â Today is a special day and one I have been looking forward to for so long. Â We are celebrating my friend Zainab today, with a virtual baby shower!
I need to share a few words about my girl Z. Â This girl. Â She is such an incredible friend, and such an incredible person. Â She’s internet famous, so you probably already know all this, but I’m going to tell you anyway.
She was born and raised in Sierra Leone, and at quite a young age, traveled halfway across the world to go study in Singapore.  Brave.  She lost her dad, way too soon, just like I did.  She met the love of her life, Mr. J, and once again uprooted herself to come live here in the US, where she started her desserts and fashion blog, Blahnik Baker.  In addition to creating gorgeous posts every week, she’s also hard at work on her PhD in neuroscience.  Such a smarty-pants!  She wants to cure brain diseases in children.  Can you even?  And since we’re now on the topic of children, can I take a minute to tell you how amazing she is with kids?  When Z and I were first getting to know each other, almost 2 years ago now, I could tell from the start that she had such a special place in her heart for kids.  She’s sent gifts to my boys on several occasions.  She’s always asking after them and telling me how cute and lovable they are.  And any time I’ve ever had a question or a problem, Z is right there.  She’s helped me through some rough times, and she is just truly so special.
So when she shared the incredible news that she was expecting, my heart almost burst with joy and happiness for her. Â I remember it so clearly. Â I literally got all teary-eyed, and here I am getting teary-eyed again just thinking about it. Â Z and Mr. J are going to make the most incredible parents and I couldn’t be more excited for them.
When I think of Z I think of coconut and fresh fruit and lovely floral flavors. Â Her creations are always so beautiful and feminine. Â She’s got a weakness for all things tropical, and so I knew that anything I would make in her honor would have to involve coconut. Â And girlfriend knows how to rock a cupcake. Â So here we are.
Coconut and blackberry complement each other beautifully.  My Flavor Bible told me so, and that book has yet to steer me wrong.  These cupcakes are made with coconut oil instead of butter, and they also have coconut milk, so the tropical flavor really shines through.  When freshly baked, the texture of the cake is whisper-light and the crumb is so fine it’s almost creamy.  As the cupcakes sit, they become a little more dense and pound cake-like.  We’re filling the cupcakes with a dollop of intensely fruity blackberry jam, then topping with a tangy cream cheese frosting, and garnishing with shredded coconut and fresh blackberries.  So pretty!
Because Zainab is such a great friend to others, there are tons of bloggers who just love her to pieces.  There were 32 of us in all, who wanted to celebrate her today, and her little bun.  I hope you click around and check out all the fun recipes that these guys have brought to the virtual party!
Blackberry Coconut Cupcakes, by Baking a Moment
Blueberry Coconut Meusli Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie
Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen
Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others
Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy
Coconut Breakfast Pudding with Sauteed Nectarines, by Cooking and Beer
Coconut Cake, by I am Baker
Coconut Cream Pie Ice Cream, by The Recipe Rebel
Coconut Energy Bites, by The Kitchenarium
Coconut Key Lime Angel Food Cake Roll, by Flavor the Moments
Coconut Key Lime Pie Cookie Bars, by Two in the Kitchen
Coconut Key Lime Macarons, by Life Made Sweeter
Coconut, Lime, and White Chocolate Milkshake, by A Clean Bake
Coconut Pineapple Banana Smoothie, by The Bitter Side of Sweet
Coconut Pineapple Fried Rice with Shrimp, by Healthy Nibbles and Bits
Coconut Sweet Potato Muffins, by Luci’s Morsels
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Toasted Coconut, by The Cooking Actress
Key Lime Coconut Button Sandwich Cookies, by Culinary Concoctions by Peabody
Key Lime Coconut Pound Cake, by Grandbaby Cakes
Lavender Coconut Macarons, by Broma Bakery
Macaroon Tarts with Ginger Coconut Whipped Cream and Pineapple, by A Cookie Named Desire
Mango Coconut Donuts, by Chez Catey Lou
Mango Coconut Smoothie, by Jessica in the Kitchen
Mango Summer Cake, by Keep it Sweet Desserts
Mini Coconut Cream Pies, by Hip Foodie Mom
Pina Colada Pie, by Life, Love, and Sugar
Skinny Blueberry Lime Scones, by Club Narwhal
Spiced Lentils with Toasted Coconut, by This Gal Cooks
Toasted Coconut Banana Meringue Pie, by The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Triple Coconut Rum Layer Cake, by bethcakes
Tropical Pineapple Coconut Sangria, by Shared Appetite
White Chocolate Coconut Key Lime Cookies, by Culinary Couture
And be sure to click on over to Blahnik Baker and congratulate Zainab.  She has the prettiest ever Meyer Lemon Pound Cake with Fresh Berries and Coconut Whipped Cream on her blog today.  (What did I tell you??)  Be sure to wish her and Mr. J all the best!
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Blackberry Coconut Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Blackberry Coconut Cupcakes
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup solid coconut oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract
- 1/2 cup seedless blackberry jam, (approx.)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, (1 stick), softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, (1 block)
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons seedless blackberry jam
- 1 drop violet gel food coloring
Additionally
- shredded coconut,, for garnish
- fresh blackberries,, for garnish
- powdered sugar,, for garnish
Instructions
To make the Coconut Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line cupcake pans with grease-proof papers.
- Place the flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Add the coconut oil, and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles damp sand.
- Add the eggs, one at a time.
- Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula, and add the coconut milk, vanilla, and coconut extract.
- Mix on low speed until incorporated, then turn the speed up to medium-high and beat for about 90 seconds to aerate the batter and develop the cake's structure.
- Fill the cupcake papers about half-full and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed.
- Cool completely, then use the tip of a sharp knife to cut a well in the center of each cupcake.
- Fill the well with about a teaspoon of blackberry jam, then frost with cream cheese frosting.
To make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Place the butter, cream cheese, and salt in a large mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until combined.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until creamy.
- Transfer half of the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, and set aside.
- Add the blackberry jam and violet gel food coloring to the remaining frosting and mix until combined.
- Transfer the tinted frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip.
- Pipe a low swirl of untinted frosting over the surface of the cupcakes, and press shredded coconut into the frosting.
- Pipe a taller swirl of the tinted frosting over the coconut, and top with a fresh blackberry.
- Dust with powdered sugar, for garnish.
Don’t you just love the flavor bible? And these cupcakes are perfect for the baby shower. I just wish it were real so I could reach for one of these!
I use that book ALL the time! It’s such a great resource. Thanks so much for the sweet compliments Sarah! xo
Such a beautiful tribute to a dear friend, Allie. And what a fabulous round up of recipes to celebrate! Your cupcakes are just beautiful and the flavor profile, mouthwatering! I concur with the flavor bible! Perfection!
Yay! So happy you like, Traci! Thanks so much my dear 🙂
Allie! These cupcakes are the dreamiest things I’ve ever seen, and the blackberry coconut combination is amazing! The Flavor Bible has never steered me wrong either…best book ever. Thank you so much for helping organize Zainab’s shower and creating the graphic — I’m so happy I got to be a part of this! Zainab is one special lady. 🙂
I’m so happy too! Your creation is absolutely stunning! So glad you could be a part and THANK YOU for the sweet compliments <3
Congratulations to Zainab! That is one of the sweetest posts I’ve ever read. What a special friendship, and these cupcakes are beyond gorgeous. I can’t wait to check out the rest of the treats from the other bloggers 🙂
Yay! Thank you Aida and I hope you enjoy! I just finished reading through all of the posts myself, and each one is more mouthwatering than the last! Have fun 😉
These are some of the most gorgeous cupcakes I have ever seen! The flavor combination sounds amazing. I’ve got to get my hands on that Flavor Bible, now. What a sweet way to celebrate Zainab’s baby!
Thank you so much Lindsey! xo
Allie, you’re making me cry again. . beautiful post and the most beautiful cupcakes!!!!! I’m so happy to call you and Zainab friends and my blogging family!!!! love you!
Love you too boo and thank you so much for helping to make this virtual party a reality! You’re the best and I’m so glad we’re friends! xoxo
Aaw I love this post and the beautiful friendship you and Zainab have. I got a teary-eyed reading this and when I found out. So excited and happy for her. These cupcakes are just breathtaking and so perfect for Z’s shower! Thank you so much to you ladies for organizing this! xo
Thank you so much for being a part, Kelly! I feel the same way- so happy and excited for her and I can’t believe he’s almost here! Thank you so much for the sweet compliments my dear <3
These cupcakes are so perfect for Z’s baby shower! They’re gorgeous, Allie!
Thank you so much Jen!
I totally squealed when I saw these. They are adorable AND they have Zainab’s name written all over them. So happy you two have such a wonderful friendship! Thanks for organizing this special virtual baby shower for our dear friend!
Thank you Liz! And thank you so much for being a part of it! xo
Blackberry and coconut is a new flavor combination for me but after seeing these gorgeous cupcakes I have no doubt they work together splendidly.
Thanks Jamie! I really loved the contrast of flavors and colors! So happy you could join us for this fun party 😀
I loved reading about your relationship with her, this is so sweet! And these cupcakes are perfect for her. Amazing!
Aw thank you so much Julia! So happy you enjoyed the post. Have a great night dear!
You are really bringin’ it to the table Allie!! These are gorgeous! LOVE the story about Zainab! You are so sweet! I am sure these are going to become one of her favorites! And everyone else’s too!
Thank you Mary Ann! Zainab has been such an incredible friend to me so I knew I had to bring my A-game. So glad you liked! Thanks so much for the sweet comment!
That was such a beautiful tribute to Zainab, you almost made me teary-eyed! Gorgeous cupcakes to celebrate our gorgeous friend! Thanks for organizing the party, Allie!
My pleasure Cate! And I’m so happy you could be a part of it too. Your donuts are incredible! Thank you so much for the sweet compliments <3
Allie, these cupcakes are gorgeous! Thank you again for organizing the wonderful shower. And this is such a nice post about Zainab!
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you could join us for the party! Your mango cake made my mouth water!
These look absolutely amazing Allie! Thanks for putting this together!
It was my pleasure! I’m so happy you could join us Nancy!
This is such a fun way to celebrate Zainab! And these cupcakes sound perfect. I have never had blackberry and coconut together, but I definitely need to get my face on that! Pinned!
Lol thank you so much Taylor! I had never had it before either but it definitely works! Thanks so much for pinning 😉