Dole Whip Cupcakes (Printable)
Tropical pineapple cupcakes with light pineapple-whip frosting — fluffy, fruity, and easy to make.
# What You Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
07 - 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained (reserve juice)
08 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from can or fresh)
09 - 1/4 cup milk
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Pineapple Whip Frosting
11 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
15 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - Yellow gel food coloring (optional)
→ Decoration (Optional)
17 - Dried pineapple flowers or wedges
18 - Maraschino cherries
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly blended.
03 - Using an electric mixer, cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
04 - Stir in drained crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and unified.
05 - Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared cupcake liners. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
07 - Let cupcakes rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
08 - Beat softened butter and cream cheese in a bowl until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar while mixing on low speed. Blend in pineapple juice, vanilla extract, and gel food coloring if desired. Whip on high until frosting is fluffy and smooth.
09 - Generously frost cooled cupcakes. Garnish with dried pineapple flowers or maraschino cherries, as preferred.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The combination of real pineapple and whipped cream cheese frosting makes every bite a mini vacation you don’t have to share.
- Swirling on the frosting and adding a cherry feels like an instant mood boost no matter the weather outside.
02 -
- Once I tried to frost before the cupcakes cooled and everything slid off in a gooey mess—patience really pays off here.
- A little pineapple juice goes a long way in the frosting—add slowly so it stays thick and pipable.
03 -
- Whip frosting until super fluffy for those classic Dole Whip swirls.
- Try a drop of pineapple extract for extra punch if your pineapple is mild.