Shelly's Recipe

SAMOAS CUPCAKES

Category: Cupcakes

For the Chocolate & Coconut Cupcakes:
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoons coconut extract
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup boiling water

For the Salted Caramel Buttercream:
2 sticks unsalted butter; room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 pound confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup caramel topping; plus more for drizzling
1 teaspoon salt

For the Homemade Chocolate Syrup:
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cold water
a pinch of salt
a splash of vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350.

For the cupcakes:
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, vanilla and coconut extract; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Gently fold in shredded Coconut.

Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Fill cups 3/4 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes.

For the buttercream:
Cream the butter in the bowl of an electric or stand mixer. Add the vanilla extract, salt and caramel syrup and combine well.

Begin adding in the sugar and mixing thoroughly after each addition. After all of the sugar has been added and mixed thoroughly, give it a taste and decide if you want to add in more caramel syrup. For thicker frosting you can gradually add in a little more sugar.

For the chocolate syrup:
In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar and cocoa powder until most of the lumps are gone. Add water and salt and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently. Bring to a boil and cook for a few minutes, until thickened, continuing to stir frequently. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes, then add vanilla extract. Store in air tight container in the fridge.

Makes 24 cupcakes