Dole Whip Cupcakes (Printable)
Fluffy pineapple cupcakes with cream cheese pineapple-whip frosting and optional dried pineapple or cherry garnish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cupcake Base
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 whole 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
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
02 - Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and airy. Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition.
04 - Stir in drained crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, whole milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined.
05 - Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing for optimal texture.
06 - Portion batter evenly into the cupcake liners. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
07 - Cool cupcakes in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Gradually blend in powdered sugar at low speed. Add pineapple juice, vanilla extract, and yellow gel food coloring (if desired). Whip on high until the frosting is light and fluffy.
09 - Once cupcakes have cooled fully, apply frosting generously. Adorn with dried pineapple or maraschino cherries as desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- They capture that legendary pineapple whip flavor in every bite—without waiting in line at a theme park.
- I guarantee the creamy pineapple frosting gets just as much excitement as the fluffy cupcakes underneath.
02 -
- If you frost warm cupcakes, everything slides off into a puddle—I learned that with my first impatient batch.
- Using drained crushed pineapple instead of pineapple chunks keeps the crumb light and the flavor spread throughout.
03 -
- Don’t skip sifting the powdered sugar—lumpy frosting is the enemy of good cupcakes.
- A chilled piping bag gives better, cleaner swirls especially in warm weather.