Coconut, Meet Toffee: A Cupcake Story

In case you have the misfortune of not having any Girl Scouts where you live, you may not know that it’s the end of Girl Scout Cookie season.  And while I have a special place in my heart for Girl Scout cookies (you’re talking to…

Coconut, Meet Toffee: A Cupcake Story

coconut-toffee-cupcakesIn case you have the misfortune of not having any Girl Scouts where you live, you may not know that it’s the end of Girl Scout Cookie season.  And while I have a special place in my heart for Girl Scout cookies (you’re talking to an ex-Brownie and current Daisy Troop Co-Leader here), as quick as I am to order my cookies, I just as well can’t wait to rid the cupboards of them.

I’m sure some of you can relate to this love-hate relationship I have with these cookies.

That said, my favorite Girl Scout cookie is the Samoa, and while I don’t think I can ever tire of the coconut, caramel and chocolate flavors, I am definitely tired of the actual Samoa cookie.  I’m just tired of cookies for now.

So, over the weekend, I decided it was time to make some cupcakes.  But I still wanted coconut.

As I sauntered through the baking products aisle, I found the coconut.  I picked up a bag of the shredded, fluffy goodness.  And I also came across a bag of HEATH Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits.

I thought it might be a nice time for the two to meet.  In a cupcake.

To create my Coconut Toffee Cupcake, I whipped up a variety of a basic 1-2-3-4 cake. This age old yellow cake is as easy as it says: 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 cups flour, 4 eggs. I decided to incorporate the yolks and the whites separately to add lightness to the batter. But I realized I better do a half batch, just in case it flopped.

Let me just say, it didn’t flop.  It was delicious!!!

coconut-toffee-cupcakes-plain

I thought it might need a little punch with some cream cheese frosting, but to be honest, I found that I preferred the cupcakes plain.  They really just tasted so good all by themselves.  But if you insist on frosting them, it will taste just as delicious, especially with some toffee bits sprinkled on top!

Coconut Toffee Cupcakes

Yields a baker’s dozen.

  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/8 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup low fat (2%) milk
  • 1/3 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/3 cup milk chocolate toffee bits (such as HEATH English Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits)
  • 2 egg whites

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Allow butter to soften.  Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.

In a mixer, cream butter then add sugar and continue to cream until it is light in color.  Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time.  Add the vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients (flour, etc.) and the milk, alternating.  Try to make the flour your last addition, being careful not to over mix.  Stir in the coconut and the milk chocolate toffee bits.

In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until their are stiff.  Fold them into the batter.  Put in muffin pans and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

Cream Cheese Frosting recipe can be found here.

Comments

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    • Liren

      I just got back from your site – the cupcakes came out great! Love the glaze – I’ll try that next time :)

      Reply
    • Liren

      Have fun baking! I think I’m going to have to make another batch soon, I’m all out of Samoas and I’m getting a craving :)

      Reply
  1. Jagirdar

    Lovely pictures, enthusiastic writing, clear simple guidelines. Thanks for the recipes!

    Reply
  2. Divina

    Anything with coconut is always a winner for me. This reminds me that I still haven’t made my own coconut muffins. I’ve been putting off for months now. :)

    Reply
    • Liren

      Hi Divina, I agree, I love coconut anything. Which reminds me, I’m craving Ginata right now…

      Reply
    • Liren

      Thanks Linn! I checked out your vid — FUN! I’ve subscribed and can’t wait to see your new videos.

      Reply
  3. Spicy Green Mango

    I can’t help but laugh at this b/c just when I think we can’t get any more similar, you bust out and tell the world your favorite GS cookies are Samoas! Liren, you are a clone, indeed! I love coconuts and that’s the only one that perks my tastebuds. Congrats on Top 9…you have a way with making it up there!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Hey thanks! So excited to see this make Top 9! But even crazier — are we long lost twins? Tell me you’re not a Gemini!

      Reply
  4. denise @ quickies on the dinner table

    Uggh! Your photos always make me sooooo……jealous! *gnashing of teeth* These look scrumptious! Never had a girl scout (we call them girl guides too) cookie in my life :( Wish we had the same tradition over here. I think I need to move to the States ;)

    Reply
    • Liren

      Denise, you flatter me way too much. I’m glad you like the pictures. To move to the States for Girl Scout cookies — I dunno, I think you’ve got the better deal there in Singapore. So many more culinary adventures to be had!

      Reply
  5. Stephanie

    Mmmmm what a great flavor combo! Also, I love your pics. The pink background really pops! I actually came over from DessertStalking.com because your picture caught my eye.

    Reply
    • Liren

      Hi Stephanie, welcome! I’m glad the photo drew you over here — the pink is definitely fun :)

      Reply
  6. Swee San

    Hi! stumbled upon your blog while looking for banana bread recipe.. just bookmarked the recipe, and will be coming back for more! lovely blog.. :)

    Reply
    • Liren

      I’m glad you bumped into my blog! The banana bread recipe is such a family favorite, hope you love it as much as we do. So glad it led you here!

      Reply
  7. Kathleen

    Sadly, I have no girl scouts near me. I haven’t even seen any at the grocery stores around me. What is this world coming to!? This cupcake will definitely help! Great combo!!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Oh no! No GS near you? They’re in pockets, I suppose. This year, we had so many GS in the neighborhood selling :) Hope the cupcake fills the void!

      Reply
  8. Stella

    Hey Liren, I haven’t had a girl scout cookie in forever. I love the idea of coconut and toffee though, and these look wonderful. The photo caught my eye on FoodBuzz before I even noticed it was you!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Hi Stella, yeah this isn’t my “typical picture,” but it was a fun one! Not having a girl scout cookie in a long time is probably a good thing. I know I’ll feel relieved when they’re all gone here!

      Reply
  9. Jenn

    The only Girl Guide (that’s what we call ’em up north) cookies I remember are… the traditional chocolate, vanilla, and recently these mint ones. And sadly, they actually changed the chocolate and vanilla which made me so sad. Samoa…. i guess next time I go down to the States I’ll have to know when the season is and track down some Girl Scouts.

    These look PHENOMENAL!!!! I can never get mad a cupcakes… I just get angry when I see too many books on them. I am a strange stranger. But I’ll have to give ’em a go and see if Bob likes them. He has an aversion to coconut. *GASP – I KNOW!*

    Reply
    • Liren

      Oh, the next time it’s GS cookie season, I’ll let you know. I’ll set aside a box or two for you. Or you can order it online now, I think!

      I totally understand if Bob doesn’t like coconuts. It’s not everyone’s deal. In the interest of full disclosure, as much as my hubby does enjoy coconuts and Samoas, he admitted that this was not his favorite cupcake. But that’s OK. MORE for me and the kids (and they went crazy over them).

      Reply
  10. Tangled Noodle

    When it comes to GS cookies, I was a Tagalong girl until PB intolerance kicked in. Then I switched over to Thin Mints (in solidarity with the hubs); but I’ve been on a coconut bender lately. So these are hitting all the ‘crave’ buttons right now!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Oh no, PB intolerance :( Tragic! But Thin Mints – I can agree with you on that one. Growing up, that was my absolute favorite. I still order a few boxes of those, but the last two years, I have preferred the Samoas. Did you know that Thin Mints are the top selling GS cookie?

      Reply
    • Liren

      Did you buy some toffee chips? I really love how this cupcake has all my favorite add ins, but is not overly sweet!

      Reply
  11. ?¸¸.•*¨Skip to Malou¨¨*•.¸¸?¸

    Somoas are my fave too. i love anything with coconut, such as almond joy ahh i always grab one at check out at the grocery store ( yeah i know it’s supposed to attract the kids but yeah i do it all the time hehehe) this cupcake looks good as it is but i think i ‘ll take the one with frosting and some toffee bits on top.. mmmm yum!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Mmm, Almond Joys! I was also thinking about that when I made this. I actually only have Almond Joys once a year…on Halloween when I raid the kids’ buckets!

      Reply
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