Dole Whip Cupcakes (Printable)
Moist pineapple cupcakes with creamy whipped frosting inspired by the classic 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; 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 Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
04 - Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
05 - Stir in the vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, and reserved pineapple juice until evenly distributed.
06 - Gradually mix in half the dry ingredients, followed by the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
07 - Divide the batter evenly among the prepared 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. Let the cupcakes cool completely in the pan before frosting.
09 - Beat the chilled heavy whipping cream in a clean bowl until soft peaks begin to form.
10 - Add the powdered sugar, pineapple juice, and vanilla extract. Continue beating until stiff peaks hold their shape. Tint with yellow food coloring if desired.
11 - Pipe or spread the whipped frosting generously over the completely cooled cupcakes.
12 - Top each cupcake with a pineapple wedge or maraschino cherry, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The frosting tastes eerily close to the real Dole Whip, which will surprise everyone you share them with
- The cake stays incredibly moist because the pineapple does double duty as flavor and a natural tenderizer
02 -
- Undrained pineapple will turn these cupcakes into mushy sad puddles, so really press that liquid out with a sieve or your hands
- Whipped cream frosting melts fast in warm weather, so keep these chilled until right before serving
03 -
- Chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for ten minutes before whipping the cream and you will get stiffer, more stable peaks with less effort
- Reserve every drop of juice from the crushed pineapple can because you will need it for both the batter and the frosting