Apple and coconut cupcakes

by Julie
(Western Australia)

125g butter
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence
2 eggs
1 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons milk
3/4 flaked coconut
1 green cooking apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1 1/2 cups icing sugar

1. Preheat oven to 180C.

2. Line cupcake tray with paper liners.

3. Beat butter, sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla essence with an electric beater until light and fluffy.

4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well between additions.

5. Sift flour and baking powder over mixture.

6. Add milk and 1/2 cup coconut. Stir to combine and fold through apple.

7. Spoon mixture into liners.

8. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of a cupcake comes out clean.

9. Stand in tray for 10 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool.

10. Put icing sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence in a bowl.

11. Add 2 tablespoons of hot water and stir until combined.

12. Spoon over cupcakes and top with remaining coconut.