Dole Whip Cupcakes (Printable Version)

Tropical pineapple cupcakes with light whipped frosting inspired by the famous frozen treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cupcakes

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/4 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained, juice reserved
08 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice, from reserved juice
09 - 1/3 cup whole milk
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Pineapple Whipped Frosting

11 - 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
12 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
14 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
15 - Yellow food coloring, optional

→ Garnish

16 - Pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
04 - Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
05 - Stir in the vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, and reserved pineapple juice.
06 - Gradually mix in half the dry ingredients, followed by the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
07 - Divide the batter evenly among the liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
08 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
09 - Beat the chilled heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form.
10 - Add the powdered sugar, pineapple juice, and vanilla. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Tint with yellow food coloring if desired.
11 - Pipe or spread the whipped frosting generously onto the cooled cupcakes.
12 - Top each cupcake with a pineapple wedge or maraschino cherry if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The whipped frosting is impossibly light and tastes like the real Dole Whip, no churning required
  • They come together in under 40 minutes but look like you spent all afternoon on them
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter after adding the flour is the number one reason these turn out dense instead of tender
  • Whipped cream frosting will not hold up in direct heat, so keep these chilled until you are ready to serve
03 -
  • Sprinkle a tiny pinch of coconut flakes on top of the frosting for an extra layer of tropical flavor and visual interest
  • Add a quarter teaspoon of cream of tartar to the whipping cream to help it hold its shape longer in warm weather

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