Dole Whip Cupcakes (Print View)

Tropical cupcakes with pineapple-infused cake and creamy pineapple whipped frosting for a refreshing dessert.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cupcakes

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/4 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained; reserve juice
08 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice, from reserved juice
09 - 1/3 cup whole milk
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Pineapple Whipped Frosting

11 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
12 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
14 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
15 - Yellow food coloring, optional

→ Garnish

16 - Pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
05 - Stir in vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, and pineapple juice.
06 - Gradually mix in half the dry ingredients, then the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
07 - Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
08 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.
09 - Beat chilled heavy cream until soft peaks form.
10 - Add powdered sugar, pineapple juice, and vanilla. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Tint with yellow food coloring if desired.
11 - Pipe or spread the whipped frosting generously on cooled cupcakes.
12 - Garnish with pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries, if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It captures that tangy sweet frozen treat vibe without standing in any theme park line
  • The whipped frosting is impossibly light so each bite feels like eating a cloud that happens to taste like vacation
02 -
  • Overmixing after adding the flour is the number one way to end up with tough chewy cupcakes instead of tender ones
  • If your whipped frosting looks soupy, your cream was not cold enough so pop the bowl in the fridge for ten minutes and try again
03 -
  • A few drops of pineapple extract in the frosting amplifies the flavor in a way that juice alone sometimes cannot
  • Plant based heavy cream works as a one to one swap if you need these dairy free, just make sure it is labeled for whipping