Dessert: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Coconut and Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe by /contributors/brandi-neuwirth Brandi Neuwirth of Cary, North Carolina, writes: "My family and I moved here from Los Angeles last year, and my new surroundings have really influenced my cooking. There's a great farmers' market nearby where I get

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon red food coloring
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1 cup buttermilk, divided
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 cups sweetened flaked coconut (about 6 ounces), divided

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. Sift flour and cocoa into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1 1/2 cups sugar and 3/4 cup butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then red food coloring and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately with 2/3 cup buttermilk in 2 additions. Make well in center; pour in remaining 1/3 cup buttermilk, vinegar, and baking soda. When bubbles form, stir into batter.
Divide batter equally among paper liners. Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; transfer to rack and cool completely.
Beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar; fold in 1 cup flaked coconut. Spread frosting on cupcakes, leaving 1/2-inch plain border; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup coconut.

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