Dole Whip Cupcakes (Printable)

Moist pineapple cupcakes with creamy whipped frosting inspired by the classic Dole Whip.

# What goes in:

→ 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 (reserve juice)
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 heavy whipping cream, cold
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)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
05 - Stir in vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, and pineapple juice.
06 - Gradually mix in half the dry ingredients, then the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
07 - Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
08 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.
09 - Beat chilled heavy cream until soft peaks form.
10 - Add 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 on cooled cupcakes.
12 - Top with pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The whipped frosting is impossibly light and tastes like the real thing from the theme park stand
  • The cake stays moist for days because of the crushed pineapple folded right into the batter
02 -
  • Underdraining the crushed pineapple is the number one way to end up with sunken, gummy cupcakes
  • The whipped frosting will not hold up in heat so serve these soon after frosting or keep them chilled until party time
03 -
  • Measure the crushed pineapple after draining, not before, so you do not accidentally add too much liquid
  • A tiny pinch of cream of tartar in the whipping cream stabilizes the frosting for warmer days

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