Pina Colada Cupcakes

I am so ready for Spring, but apparently New England is not.  It's been a cold, dreary day and we're supposed to get a big storm tomorrow.  More snow, are you serious?  To tell you the truth I would love to be somewhere tropical right now but since that's not going to happen I decided to bring the tropics to my kitchen ;)  I'm hosting girls night tonight so I decided to make my pina colada cupcakes.  Girls night is always a lot of fun and I figure pina colada cupcakes and margaritas will re-assure everyone that the warm weather will eventually get here!

These cupcakes, well actually all cupcakes, always put me in a good mood.  With the leopard print cupcake liners and drink umbrellas they look like a party on a plate!  For the cupcakes I use my go to vanilla cake recipe and add in a few shots of rum :) I also swap out the milk for unsweetened coconut milk.  What really makes these cupcakes is the frosting.  Pineapple cream cheese frosting is amazing!  It's not too sweet and the cream cheese gives it the perfect consistency.  The fresh pineapple makes me think I'm at a resort in Mexico relaxing pool side with a frozen beverage.  A girl can dream right?  Anyway a bowl of this frosting and a spoon and I'm all set!  I garnish the cupcakes with some shredded coconut which adds another layer of flavor and texture.  So if you're stuck with cold weather like I am hopefully these will help a little.  Now it's time for me to go make the margaritas! Enjoy!

Cupcakes

Use your favorite vanilla cupcake recipe and add a few shots of rum or 2t. of rum extract.
Use unsweetened coconut milk in place of the milk.

Pineapple cream cheese frosting

• 8oz. cream cheese
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2/3 cup fresh pineapple pureed

1. Make sure the cream cheese and butter are at room temp.
2. Cream butter and cream cheese.
3. Slowly add powdered sugar.
4. While that is mixing puree the pineapple in a food processor.  I leave it a little chunky.
5. Stir in pineapple.