Coquito Cupcakes Recipe: A Taste of Puerto Rican Holiday Cheer

Coquito Cupcakes Recipe infuses moist vanilla or spice cake with the rich, tropical flavours of traditional Puerto Rican coquito, featuring coconut, rum, cinnamon, and sweet cream. These indulgent treats are perfect for holiday gatherings, offering a festive spin on cupcakes loved by both kids and adults.

Coquito Cupcakes Recipe

Coquito Cupcakes recipe infuse moist cake with traditional Puerto Rican coquito flavors coconut, cinnamon, and rum for a festive holiday treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Calories: 278

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup coconut milk full-fat preferred
• ½ cup coquito homemade or store-bought

Rum Buttercream Frosting (Option 1)

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp coquito
• 1 Tbsp coconut milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Garnishes (Optional)

• toasted coconut for topping
• ground cinnamon sprinkle for aroma/flavor
• fresh raspberries or cherries for holiday garnish

Equipment

• 1 Mixing Bowl For dry and wet ingredients
• 1 Electric mixer Hand or stand mixer for creaming butter/sugar
• 1 Muffin Tin Standard 12-cup muffin tin
• 12 Cupcake Liners Paper or silicone liners
• 1 Cooling rack For cooling cupcakes after baking
• 1 Piping bag (optional) For frosting, if you want decorative swirls
• 1 Spatula To fold and scrape batter or frosting
• 1 Measuring Cups/Spoons For accurate ingredient measurements

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
4. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and the coconut milk + coquito mixture until fully combined.
6. Divide batter evenly among liners.
7. Bake 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
9. For Rum Buttercream: Beat butter, add sugar, coquito, coconut milk, and vanilla. Pipe or spread over cooled cupcakes.
10. For Coconut Whipped Cream: Whip cream to soft peaks, add sugar, coquito, and vanilla. Whip to stiff peaks. Frost as desired.
11. Garnish and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

• These cupcakes are best chilled or served at room temperature.
• Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months.
• Use alcohol-free coquito for a kid-friendly version.

Why You’ll Love This Coquito Cupcakes Recipe

• Combining coquito’s creamy, festive flavours into every bite
  
• Versatile made with boxed mix or from scratch
  
• Flavorful topping options, from rum infused buttercream to coconut whipped cream
  
• Easy to adapt add fruit garnish or drizzle over rum glaze for holiday flair

 Serving Tips (Coquito Cupcakes Recipe)

• Serve chilled or at room temperature for best flavour.
  
• Garnish with toasted coconut, a dash of cinnamon, or mini cinnamon sticks for presentation.
  

Pair with warm coquito or holiday cocktails.

 Storage & Reheating (Coquito Cupcakes Recipe)

• Storage:
  
  • Unfrosted cupcakes: Airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for 5 days.
    
  • Frosted cupcakes: Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 5 days.
    
• Freezing:
  
  • Freeze unfrosted cupcakes in a zip bag for up to 2 months.
    
  • Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
    
• Reheating(optional):
  
  • Microwave 1 cupcake for 10–12 seconds if you want it slightly warm before serving.
    

Do not microwave frosted cupcakes with whipped cream toppings.

Accurate Nutrition (Per Cupcake / Rum Buttercream Frosting)

Based on standard ingredients. Values may vary slightly depending on brand and substitutions.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a festive, tropical twist on classic cupcakes, this Coquito Cupcakes Recipe is the perfect holiday crowd-pleaser. With flavours inspired by Puerto Rican coquito creamy coconut, warm cinnamon, and just the right kick of rum these cupcakes offer bold flavour and beautiful presentation. Easy to make, easy to customise, and impossible to forget.

Tried the recipe? Leave a comment below and let us know how your coquito cupcakes recipe turned out. Share photos, tweak the frosting, or tag us on Instagram with Coquito Cupcake Love for a chance to be featured.

FAQs