Crazy Tasty Coconut Rum Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting

It’s always the perfect time for a boozy cupcake! These Coconut Rum Cupcakes topped with Coconut Frosting are a super easy dessert to share with friends.

Boxed cake mix batter infused with rum and toasted coconut makes this a great recipe for someone who doesn’t love to bake but loves cocktails.

These flavorful treats are one of my favorite alcohol-infused cupcakes to make! And you’ll love them too.

This post was originally published on October 21, 2020 and has now been updated with better step-by-step instructions to make these cupcakes perfect every time.

Why This Recipe Works

I have the biggest sweet tooth. And I think that cupcakes, with their almost perfect ratio of cake to frosting, are a darn near perfect dessert.

When you infuse them with liquor, they become an adult-friendly treat that are fun to share with girlfriends.

I love to share easy recipes on the site along with delicious cocktails that you can make at home.

So it just makes sense that I would figure out how to level up my baked goods with a little booze.

This Sherry Wine Cake recipe was the one that started it all. I had never baked with alcohol before and quickly fell in love. Now I eat Wine Cake every Christmas and I’ve been experimenting with boozy cupcakes.

What kind of rum do I use

This cupcake recipe uses white rum and I think, when paired with coconut flavor, it’s a great option for this recipe.

But you could also use spiced rum, which will give it more of a fall feel with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.

And to really play up the coconut flavor, you could use coconut rum. But I wouldn’t go buy it specifically for this recipe.

Can I start with boxed cake mix

Yes, you can start with boxed cake mix! And you should! It just saves time. And I think it’s a great way to get a consistent finished product.

They’ve spent years perfecting their recipes and have done most of the measuring for us. So why not use that to our advantage!

A basic cake is such a blank canvas. There are so many things you can do to make them into unique desserts.

Check out my Cake Mix Desserts for more fun ideas.

How to make Coconut Rum Cupcakes

Ingredients

These Rum Cupcakes just need a few ingredients to make a decadent dessert. Along with the vanilla boxed cake mix you’ll need a little rum and coconut milk, butter, and eggs.

To really amp up the flavor, I also used shredded coconut and coconut extract.

That’s coconut flavor times 3! It’s one of my favorite pairings with rum. Also, make my White Russian with Coconut Rum. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

For the Coconut Frosting, I use my favorite Buttercream Frosting recipe which uses butter, vegetable shortening, powdered sugar, heavy cream and salt.

Extra flavor is added with vanilla and coconut extracts. And the perfect final garnish is toasted coconut right on top.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners, set aside.

In a big bowl beat the eggs until fluffy, add coconut milk, coconut extract and rum and set aside.

In another bowl combine the cake mix with shredded coconut. Add butter and mix until it resembles coarse sand.

Slowly incorporate the whipped egg mixture, mixing carefully until everything is well incorporated.

Divide the batter between the cupcake liners and put in the oven. Bake for 5 minutes, bring the temperature down to 325 and bake for 15 to 18 minutes more or until done.

Remove from oven and let cool them cool completely before decorating.

Meanwhile, prepare the frosting. Whip up the vanilla frosting with coconut extract.

Decorate the cupcakes and top with toasted coconut. Here’s a simple decorating set that I love!

THESE ARE SO GOOD!

The cupcakes are moist and full of so much flavor! As we head into the holiday season, these would be a great dessert to make.

The way these flavors work together is magic. It’s total comfort food in a cupcake liner.

Plus, if you need to, they can easily be made ahead of time. You can make the cupcakes, and the frosting and then save both until you are ready to frost them.

With everyone still spending plenty of time at home, these would be a wonderful baked treat to surprise a friend with.

While most of the alcohol gets baked off, and you aren’t using that much to begin with, they are most likely safe for your kids to eat. Especially because these only have rum in the cupcakes and not the frosting also.

If coconut isn’t your jam here are a few more delicious cocktail-inspired cupcakes that might float your boat.

• Margarita Cupcakes are infused with tequila and citrus making them a fun treat inspired by your favorite summer cocktail.
• Prosecco Cupcakes are the perfect celebratory cupcake to serve for any special occasion.
• Chocolate Red Wine Cupcakes are a tasty idea for your next girl’s night!

Pin to save these Coconut Rum Cupcakes for later!