Coconut Chiffon Cupcakes

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.

2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together cake flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3. Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together coconut milk, water, oil, vanilla, coconut extract, and egg yolks until smooth.

4. Combine: Make a well in the dry ingredients. Pour in the wet mixture and whisk until fully combined and smooth—do not overmix.

5. Whip egg whites: In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue beating until glossy stiff peaks form.

6. Fold: Gently fold whipped egg whites into the batter in 3 additions, using a spatula to avoid deflating.

7. Bake: Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners (they’ll be about 3/4 full). Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until tops spring back and a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Cool: Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting 

1. In a small saucepan, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and milk until smooth.
2. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency (about 5–7 minutes).
3. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and let cool completely to room temp.
4. In a stand mixer or using hand beaters, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the cooled flour-milk mixture a spoonful at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla. Continue beating until smooth, fluffy, and slightly tangy.

To Fill:

1. Core each cupcake using a cupcake corer or a small paring knife, removing about 1 inch of the center.

2. Spoon or pipe a small amount of Fluff into the base of the cavity — just enough to coat the bottom.

3. Nestle in one mandarin segment and a teaspoon of crushed pineapple.

4. Top with a final dollop of Fluff to seal the filling inside.

5. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.