Dole Whip Cupcakes (Print Version)

Tropical pineapple cupcakes with light whipped frosting inspired by the iconic frozen treat.

# 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, juice reserved
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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl 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 remaining dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
07 - Divide batter evenly among 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. Cool completely before frosting.
09 - Beat chilled heavy cream until soft peaks form.
10 - Add powdered sugar, pineapple juice, and vanilla. Beat until stiff peaks form. Tint with yellow food coloring if desired.
11 - Pipe or spread whipped frosting generously onto cooled cupcakes.
12 - Top with pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The frosting tastes like the real Dole Whip but you do not need a machine or a theme park ticket
  • They come together in under 40 minutes with zero fancy techniques
02 -
  • Overmixing after adding the flour is the number one reason these come out dense instead of light and the batter should still look a little lumpy when you stop
  • Whipped cream frosting melts quickly at room temperature so keep these chilled until you are ready to serve
03 -
  • A few drops of pineapple extract in the frosting pushes the flavor closer to the real park version without changing the texture
  • Chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for ten minutes before whipping the cream and you will get stiffer peaks with less effort

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