The BEST Coconut Cupcake Ever!

Those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE this recipe. These are definitely everyone's favorite cupcake and certainly the most requested. Here it is, the famous Barefoot Contessa coconut cupcake recipe. The cream cheese frosting on the cupcakes pictured here was tinted pink for Valentine's Day, but I generally always keep it real with no added coloring. Try them once. Make them forever. Have a passionate Valentine's Day and live each day as if it were February 14th! Wishing you sweetness . . . Love, Katie

The Barefoot Contessa Coconut Cupcakes

3/4 pound of unsalted butter at room temperature

2 cups sugar

5 extra large eggs at room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

Makes 18-20 large cupcakes

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer running on low, add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In three parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of the coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each cup to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack to cool completely. Frost with the cream cheese icing and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

Cream Cheese Icing

1 pound of cream cheese at room temperature

3/4 pound unsalted butter at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

1 1/2 pounds confectioners sugar, sifted

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, blend together the cream cheese, butter and extracts. Add the confectioners sugar and mix until smooth.