Plan n Cook

Tropical Fruitcake Cupcakes

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  • 30m Prep Time
  • 25m Cook Time
  • 55m Ready In
  • Cuisine : American
  • Course : Dessert

Tropical fruitcake cupcakes with pineapple, papaya, mango, ginger, and macadamia nuts, topped with pineapple rum glaze and rum ginger cream-cheese frosting. A playful twist on traditional fruitcake.


Ingredients

Servings:
½× 1× 1½× 2× 3×
(24 servings) Units:
US Metric
  • 1 fresh ginger
  • 3/4 cup ripe banana mashed
  • 1/4 cup cognac
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp light corn syrup
  • 3 tbsp cognac
  • 3 tbsp crème de banana
  • 4 bananas sliced lengthwise
  • Vanilla ice cream for serving
  • 1 pack instant devil's food pudding mix
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup vodka
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp kirsch
  • 1 tbsp cherry liqueur
  • 1 tbsp chocolate liqueur
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 cup frozen sweet cherries
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup kirsch
  • 1 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tsp kirsch
  • 24 maraschino cherries
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 5 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp brandy
  • 1 cup strawberries sliced
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 2 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tbsp brandy
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup dark rum
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark rum
  • 3 tbsp confectioners' sugar
  • 3 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 lemon juiced and zested
  • 1 honey beer
  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 3 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey beer
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 cup mixed nuts
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup dark rum
  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • salt
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup light rum
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup candied ginger chopped
  • Vanilla or rum-raisin ice cream for serving
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 10 egg whites
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 tsp salt
  • 10 egg yolks
  • 2 cup pecans toasted, then chopped
  • 1 cup golden raisins chopped
  • 1 1/2 cup assorted dried fruits chopped
  • 1/2 cup candied cherries
  • 1 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut toasted
  • 1 cup bourbon
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup half-and-half
  • 3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 egg whites
  • red food coloring
  • 2 cup Champagne
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 cup Champagne
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • red food coloring
  • 4 eggs separated
  • 1/2 cup walnuts ground fine
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 cup walnuts chopped
  • 1 salted mixed nuts chopped
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2 tbsp spiced rum
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup spiced rum
  • Toasted meringues store-bought or homemade
  • 3 egg whites at room temperature
  • 5 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 3 egg yolks at room temperature
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour sifted
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour sifted
  • Confectioners' sugar for dusting
  • 2 pack mascarpone cheese
  • 3 eggs separated
  • 6 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp hazelnut liqueur
  • 3 tbsp dark rum
  • 1/4 cup coffee liqueur
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 3/4 cup espresso or strong-brewed coffee
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 cup assorted dried fruits chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 cup coconut rum
  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup macadamia nuts or walnuts chopped
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 3 tbsp light rum
  • 1 pack cream cheese
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tbsp light rum
  • 1/2 tsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 3/4 cup assorted dried pineapple, papaya, and mango
  • 1/4 cup candied ginger
  • 1/4 cup whole macadamia nuts or walnuts

Nutrition (per serving, estimated)

Estimated based off 184 of 216 identified ingredients (per 100 g food data, scaled by amount).

Energy
2975 cal
Protein
41.7 g
Carbohydrate
377 g
Fiber
12.7 g
Sugars
259 g
Sodium
1454 mg
Total fat
141 g
Saturated fat
71.4 g
Monounsaturated fat
42.8 g
Polyunsaturated fat
17.8 g
Vitamins & minerals
  • Calcium: 504 mg
  • Iron: 11.4 mg
  • Magnesium: 175 mg
  • Phosphorus: 783 mg
  • Potassium: 1145 mg
  • Zinc: 5.1 mg

Let's Prepare

Collect

Gather these ingredients — no prep needed yet.

  • 1 fresh ginger
  • 1/4 cup cognac
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp light corn syrup
  • 3 tbsp cognac
  • 3 tbsp crème de banana
  • 1 pack instant devil's food pudding mix
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup vodka
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp kirsch
  • 1 tbsp cherry liqueur
  • 1 tbsp chocolate liqueur
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 cup frozen sweet cherries
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup kirsch
  • 1 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tsp kirsch
  • 24 maraschino cherries
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 5 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp brandy
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 2 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tbsp brandy
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup dark rum
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark rum
  • 3 tbsp confectioners' sugar
  • 3 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 honey beer
  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 3 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey beer
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 cup mixed nuts
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup dark rum
  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • salt
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup light rum
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 10 egg whites
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 tsp salt
  • 10 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup candied cherries
  • 1 cup bourbon
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup half-and-half
  • 3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 egg whites
  • red food coloring
  • 2 cup Champagne
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 cup Champagne
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • red food coloring
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp spiced rum
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup spiced rum
  • 5 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 pack mascarpone cheese
  • 6 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp hazelnut liqueur
  • 3 tbsp dark rum
  • 1/4 cup coffee liqueur
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 3/4 cup espresso or strong-brewed coffee
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 cup coconut rum
  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 3 tbsp light rum
  • 1 pack cream cheese
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tbsp light rum
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 3/4 cup assorted dried pineapple, papaya, and mango
  • 1/4 cup candied ginger
  • 1/4 cup whole macadamia nuts or walnuts

Prepare

  • 3/4 cup ripe banana, mashed
  • 4 bananas, sliced lengthwise
  • Vanilla ice cream, for serving
  • Chop 3 oz bittersweet chocolate
  • Juice 1 lime
  • Beat 2 eggs
  • Slice 1 cup strawberries
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • Grate 2 tbsp fresh ginger
  • Melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • Chop 1/2 cup candied ginger
  • Vanilla or rum-raisin ice cream, for serving
  • 2 cup pecans, toasted, then chopped
  • Chop 1 cup golden raisins
  • Chop 1 1/2 cup assorted dried fruits
  • Toast 1 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • Separate 4 eggs
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, ground fine
  • Chop 2 cup walnuts
  • Chop 1 salted mixed nuts
  • Melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • Beat 2 eggs
  • Toasted meringues, store-bought or homemade
  • 3 egg whites, at room temperature
  • 3 egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, sifted
  • Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
  • Separate 3 eggs
  • Chop 1 1/2 cup assorted dried fruits
  • Grate 1 tsp fresh ginger
  • Chop 1 cup macadamia nuts or walnuts
  • Juice 1 lemon
  • Grate 1/2 tsp fresh ginger

Let's Cook

  1. Step 1.

    Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 12-cup cupcake pans.

  2. Step 2.

    In a small saucepan, bring a 3-inch piece of fresh ginger and ½ cup water to a boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes; discard the ginger. Stir ¾ cup mashed ripe banana and ¼ cup cognac into the ginger water.

  3. Step 3.

    In a mixing bowl, beat 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, ⅓ cup blackstrap molasses, and ¾ cup dark brown sugar until creamy. Beat in 1 egg.

  4. Step 4.

    In a separate bowl, sift together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¾ teaspoon nutmeg.

  5. Step 5.

    Beat the flour mixture and the banana-ginger-cognac mixture into the butter mixture in three alternating additions, starting and ending with flour. Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake pans.

  6. Step 6.

    Bake the cupcakes for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

  7. Step 7.

    While the cupcakes bake, make the Foster sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine ¾ cup dark brown sugar, 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, and 3 tablespoons light corn syrup. Stir until the mixture reaches a low simmer. Remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons cognac and 3 tablespoons crème de banana. Set aside.

  8. Step 8.

    When ready to serve, heat a flambé pan in a warm oven (275°F) for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan and place it on a hotplate in the center of the table.

  9. Step 9.

    Arrange 4 bananas, sliced lengthwise, around the perimeter of the flambé pan. Add a few spoonfuls of the Foster sauce. Stack the cupcakes in the center of the pan.

  10. Step 10.

    Top the cupcakes with vanilla ice cream and the remaining Foster sauce. Carefully ignite the sauce with a long fireplace match or propane barbecue lighter. Serve immediately.

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