These Luau Cupcakes are the ultimate in tropical flavors, made of pineapple and coconut combined with a creamy pineapple frosting topped with toasted coconut and a piece of pineapple with a cherry on top. These SCREAM party!

Made with canned pineapple for convenience. Bring sunny tropical flavors to your table any time of year. Finished with toasted coconut and a bright cherry for a bakery-worthy look.

Perfect for luau parties, summer BBQs, birthdays, and tropical-themed celebrations.

It seems like when the weather warms up, it’s time for a luau, so break out those grass skirts and let’s get baking!

This is your party solution (whether it’s a dinner party or big backyard bash, you’ll find quick tips you can use for the dessert and the main course).

Which should tell you one thing for sure they should definitely be on your next party dessert table!

These were a fun and colorful addition to a Luau Dinner I made for over 20 guests.

Cooking for a crowd does have its challenges, but with a few tips and tricks, it can come off without a hitch. I prefer to make the dessert a day ahead, but not this time. There was no time, and everything was made just hours before everyone arrived.

cupcakes PINAPPLE COCONUT LUAU, canned pineapple recipe createdbydiane

I just love how the toasted coconut and pineapple flavors go together.

The bright colors are so pretty it already looks like a PARTY has started.

These and a few other items will make any dinner or party a huge hit!

pineapple and coconut cupcakes, toasted coconut, luau createdbydiane.com

So break out the Leis and Tiki torches and get your Luau Party started!

We didn’t just eat cupcakes…

On the menu:

Teriyaki burgers with grilled pineapple on each burger

Teriyaki Sauce:
1 cup Pineapple juice
2 tablespoons corn starch
pinch crushed red pepper
a tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar, bring all items to a boil in a saucepan, and heat until thickened

Add a slice of pineapple

served with some fresh fruit
Cheesy Baked potatoes
or potato chips

Another great way to serve this sauce is over chicken burgers…use ground chicken or ground turkey if you prefer. I love ground chicken, and you’ll find more ground chicken recipes here.

Don’t forget to try these other LUAU RECIPES:

My LUAU Fried Rice

and more… Pineapple Recipes

Make these two recipes for a SUPER flavorful combo that everyone will LOVE!

make these cupcakes for your next party createdbydiane

THIS is my favorite cupcake pan it bakes cupcakes nice and evenly without overcooking/browning them.

THESE are my favorite cupcake liners, they are greaseproof and look so pretty on cupcakes.

I use THESE piping bags and love them.

CHECK out these other great PINEAPPLE recipes.

AND a really pretty drink that will go well with these.

My other LUAU items are these Pineapple Margaritas!

luau pineapple and toasted coconut with pineapple frosting topped with a cherry

Print Recipe

Luau Cupcakes

These Luau Cupcakes are the ultimate in tropical flavors made of pineapple and coconut combined with a creamy pineapple frosting topped with toasted coconut and a piece of pineapple with a cherry on top.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: coconut, cupcake, luau, pineapple

Author: Diane Schmidt – createdbydiane.com

Ingredients

1 box vanilla cake mix
1 20 oz. can pineapple chunks
1 container whipped white frosting
2 cups sweetened coconut
maraschino cherries

Instructions

Prepare cupcakes according to package directions, replacing the pineapple juice for the water called for in the recipe.
Bake cupcakes according to package
Cool cupcakes completely.
Toast coconut in a frying pan on medium-low heat until golden (be sure coconut is cool before adding it to the frosting or it will make the frosting melt.)
Frost cupcakes with a spatula with white frosting
Roll the edges of the cupcakes in the toasted coconut.
Place a piece of pineapple on top along with a cherry.