Coconut Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 165 g plain (all-purp) flour ((1 1/4 cups / 5.8oz))
• 35 g cornflour (cornstarch) ((1/4 cup / 1.2oz))
• 1/4 cup fine desiccated coconut
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 200 g white granulated sugar ((1 cup / 7oz))
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (like canola / sunflower / rice bran)
• 1 cup coconut milk, room temp ((250ml))
• 20 g freeze dried strawberries ((roughly 1 1/2 cups / 0.7oz))
• 226 g unsalted butter, room temp ((1 cup / 2 sticks))
• 250 g cream cheese ((9oz))
• 3 1/2 cups Icing (powdered) sugar
• 1 tablespoon coconut milk ((note 1))
• Pinch of Salt
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam
• 6 ripe strawberries

Instructions

1. 1

   --- COCONUT CUPCAKES ---

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F 160C fan forced. Line a regular muffin tin with cupcake cases.

3. 3

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornflour, coconut, baking powder and salt.

4. 4

   In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the sugar, eggs and oil, until well combined.

5. 5

   Add the flour mixture and mix slowly until it just starts to come together.

6. 6

   Pour in the coconut milk and mix slowly until just combined.

7. 7

   Spoon into the cupcake cases to about ⅔ full and bake for 20-22 minutes.

8. 8

   --- STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING ---

9. 9

   Blend the freeze dried strawberries to a powder (or you can place them in a sturdy plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin).

10. 10

    In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat butter and ½ cup of the icing sugar until light and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

11. 11

    Add the cream cheese and beat well until thick and creamy. Scrape down the bowl again.

12. 12

    Add the sugar ½ cup at a time and beat well after each addition.

13. 13

    Add the coconut milk and salt and beat through.

14. 14

    Finally carefully beat in the freeze dried strawberry powder.

15. 15

    --- ASSEMBLE ---

16. 16

    Once the cupcakes have cooled, cut a hole in the centre and add a teaspoon of strawberry jam to each.

17. 17

    Pipe the cream cheese frosting on top then top with half a strawberry.