Pina Colada Cupcakes

Piña Colada Cupcakes turn your favorite cocktail into a handheld dessert! Made with real pineapple and a rich coconut frosting, these easy cupcakes are bursting with summertime flavor.

Feel like a tropical escape?

These cupcakes are the next best thing.

SAVE THIS PINA COLADA CUPCAKES RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

If you like piña coladas AND cupcakes, you’re talking to a kindred spirit.

In this recipe, the pineapple coconut flavor you love beachside is baked into moist, sweet cupcakes! A dollop of coconut frosting on top sends them totally over the top. Since these treats are made without alcohol, the kids will love them too.

Pina Colada Cupcakes without rum (or with a little bit of rum extract!) are perfect for a summer pool party or anytime you’re craving a little escape.

What do I need?

Here’s what we used to make piña colada cupcakes without alcohol.

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Butter
• Sugar
• Cream cheese
• Eggs
• Milk
• Pineapple juice
• Chopped pineapple
• Optional – Use 1 teaspoon rum extract in the batter

Don’t forget the frosting! You will need these ingredients for the coconut frosting:

• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Coconut extract
• Toasted coconut –an optional garnish.
• Cherries – another optional topping.

How do I make them?

This Piña Colada Cupcake recipe is easy to make with just a few minutes of prep time. Start by mixing up a simple cupcake batter. Then you fold in pineapple juice and chopped pineapple pieces.

From here, just pour the batter into a lined cupcake pan and bake! While the pineapple cupcakes are cooling you can beat together the frosting ingredients. Use a spatula or a frosting bag to frost each cooled cupcake.

After piping on the frosting, you’ll want to garnish your Pineapple and Coconut Cupcakes with a sprinkle of toasted coconut and a few maraschino cherries.

A cherry on top gives a pop of color to the white frosted cupcakes that brings me joy. Don’t you think these summer-y pineapple cupcakes would look fabulous on a dessert platter next to my homemade Funfetti Cupcakes?

Tips and Tricks

• Make sure to use real pineapple juice NOT syrup!
• I use canned pineapple in its own juice for this recipe. Drain the juice to add to the batter, then fold in the pineapple pieces. Easy!
• Fresh pineapple is also delicious baked into these cupcakes. Make sure it’s sliced into small chunks.

Can I use untoasted coconut?

Some people love coconut but aren’t a fan of the way it tastes toasted. If that’s you, feel free to swap the toasted coconut for regular sweetened coconut flakes straight from the bag. Or leave the coconut off entirely!

How do I store these cupcakes?

Store your homemade Pina Colada Cupcakes without rum in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. At room temperature, they keep for about 3 days. Stored chilled, they’ll keep for an additional day or so.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, as long as you freeze them before frosting! Pineapple cupcakes can be stored in the freezer unfrosted for up to 2 months. Make sure to keep them in a freezer-safe sealed container. Let frozen Piña Colada Cupcakes thaw before adding the coconut frosting and garnishes.

Dessert Recipes

Today’s cupcake recipe was inspired by my love for sipping piña colada cocktails and Pina Colada Milkshakes. Basically, give me a cold drink with pineapple and coconut in it and I’m happy.

I was even inspired by a certain wizarding world to transfigure butterbeer into cupcakes. My Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes are some of the most popular cupcakes I’ve shared on the blog. The butterscotch flavor and sweet swirl of frosting on top is to die for!

I’ve turned plenty of other drinks into dessert recipes too. Check out these refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Bars and these Chai Tea Snickerdoodles.

Pineapple Desserts

I already mentioned how much I love pineapple.

A current favorite way to enjoy it at my house is in the form of this easy Pineapple Bread. It comes together so quicky with the perfect amount of sweetness! I’ve been known to eat a slice (or two) for breakfast with my coffee.

On the days I’m feeling like something a little healthier, one of these Pineapple Coconut Silk Smoothies is perfect. It’s nourishing but sweet enough to serve as a drinkable dessert!

Coconut Desserts

Love making desserts with coconut? You’ll love these other easy coconut recipes too!

• Toffee Coconut Oatmeal Bars are rich, sweet and oh-so-chewy.
• Coconut Macadamia Sugar Cookies remain one of my go-to sugar cookies for the holidays.
• Lemon Coconut Sugar Cookies combine coconut with zesty citrus!
• Coconut Coolers would be a perfect drink to serve along with your Piña Colada cupcakes!

Piña Colada Cupcakes with coconut frosting are all but guaranteed to give you an instant mood lift!