If you love the taste of a Pina Colada, you’re going to fall head over heels for these Pina Colada Muffins. They’re moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. This recipe makes use of a box of yellow cake mix, which simplifies things, but the addition of coconut flavoring, rum flavoring, coconut, nuts, and crushed pineapple truly takes these muffins to another level. The tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut shine brightly in these muffins, with the rum flavoring adding a delightful twist. While these muffins are perfect for a summer treat, you can enjoy them any time of the year when you’re in the mood for a tropical escape. In this post, we’ll share the step-by-step process to make your own Pina Colada Muffins at home. We’ll also provide some handy baking tips to help you achieve the best results.
Ingredients
- 1 box Pillsbury yellow cake mix
- 1 tsp. coconut flavoring
- 1 tsp. rum flavoring
- 1 c. coconut
- 1/2 c. chopped nuts
- 1 c. drained crushed pineapple
Baking Instructions
- Use electric mixer.
- Prepare cake as directed on box.
- Stir in remaining ingredients and mix 1 minute.
- Use muffin cups or grease muffin pans well.
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
- I frosted mine with cream cheese frosting.
Calorie: 300
Total cooking time:35 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
A Tropical Twist on a Classic: Pina Colada Muffins
The Prelude to Baking Bliss
So, there I was, staring at a box of Pillsbury yellow cake mix, wondering how I could use this to take a vacation without leaving my kitchen. As the rain pelted the window, I soon realized I had the makings of a tropical paradise right in my own pantry. Of course! Pina Colada muffins! Because, let’s face it, the weather outside was more duck-friendly than people-friendly.
The Gathering of the Tropical Troops
I assembled my ingredients: the yellow cake mix (obviously), 1 tsp. of coconut flavoring (the kind that whispers sweet nothings of sandy beaches in your ear), 1 tsp. of rum flavoring (because nothing screams “vacation” like rum – even if you can’t actually get tipsy from it), 1 cup of shredded coconut (it’s not a Pina Colada without the ‘coco’ right?), 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (for a little crunch), and 1 cup of drained crushed pineapple (because nothing says ‘tropical’ like a tangy bite of pineapple).
Mix It Up: The Preparation
Next came the fun part: using the electric mixer. There’s something just delightfully chaotic about blending ingredients together, watching the dust cloud form like a mini tornado in your kitchen. I prepared the cake mix as directed on the box, because even in culinary creativity, some rules ought to be followed.
I then stirred in the remaining ingredients and mixed for a minute. As I watched the swirls of pineapple, coconut, and nuts disappear into the batter, I couldn’t help but think about how this was a lot like my last Zumba class, a whirlwind of chaos and fun all mixed together.
Batter Ready: Preheat and Settle In
With the oven preheated to a roasty-toasty 350°, and my muffin cups standing at attention, it was time for the batter to find its new home. I gave the muffin pans a good greasing because we all know how muffins like to cling onto those pans like a baby koala to its mama.
Bake Time: Waiting and Drooling
Into the oven, they went for 15 to 20 minutes. And let me tell you, those were the longest minutes of my life. As the smell of rum, coconut, and pineapple filled my kitchen, I considered setting up a hammock and sipping a real Pina Colada while I waited.
Frosting Frenzy: The Final Touch
Finally, out of the oven came these little golden nuggets of tropical paradise. But my Pina Colada muffins were not complete without a little frosty finish. I frosted mine with cream cheese frosting because, well, why not? If we’re going to do this, we might as well go the whole hog, right?
The Verdict: Pure Tropical Bliss
Biting into one of these Pina Colada muffins is like taking a mini vacation right in your kitchen. The yellow cake is sweet and moist, the coconut and pineapple add a tropical twist, and the nuts give it just the right crunch.
And so, my friends, that’s the story of how I brought a bit of the tropics into my kitchen on a dreary day. A tale of yellow cake, coconut flavoring, rum flavoring, coconut, nuts, pineapple, and a dash of humor. So the next time you find yourself staring at a box of yellow cake mix on a rainy day, remember: paradise is just a muffin cup away.
