Tropical Mango Vanilla Cupcakes (video)
These amazing cupcakes combine the flavors of mango and coconut for a tropical flair. The buttercream frosting is made with a fresh mango reduction for a superb taste of mango. The vanilla cupcake is moist, rich, and buttery with a hint of coconut.
This is one of my first recipes from when I first started this blog. It’s a fan favorite and a family favorite as well. I’ve recently started to adjust this recipe slightly to give it better and more consistent results. The biggest change I made was to the buttercream. The original recipe uses fresh mango puree, and while the taste was there, it wasn’t as prevalent as it could be. So I’ve updated the recipe to use a fresh mango reduction for more flavor and a thicker consistency.
Why this recipe is so great:
- It has the best mango buttercream. Instead of just using mango juice or mango extract, I pureed a heaping cup of fresh diced mangoes, cooked it down to half a cup, and used it in the buttercream. Using the reduction gives the frosting a natural mango flavor that really shines through without having to use an extract. It gives the buttercream a beautiful bright orange color as well without having to use any food coloring. The reduction also helps thicken the frosting and makes it more stable.
- The cupcake is super easy to make. It’s all done by hand so there is no need to get out that heavy stand mixer.
- The recipe is easily adaptable. You can substitute the coconut yogurt with plain, vanilla or even sour cream if coconut is not your thing. You can also use canned mango pulp or frozen mangoes if fresh mangoes are not readily available where you are.
How to make mango cupcakes:
(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below)
- You start by tossing together all the dry ingredients.
- In another bowl, whisk the melted butter with the sugar.
- Mix in the rest of the wet ingredients. Then stir in the dry ingredients.
- Divide the batter into a baking pan lined with cupcake liners, and bake.
- Once the cupcakes have cooled, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Mix in the mango reduction, vanilla, and salt.
- Then mix in the powdered sugar until smooth.
Expert tips:
- Use room temperature ingredients. Because this recipe uses melted butter, it’s important that all refrigerated ingredients like your eggs, yogurt, and milk are at room temperature before you start. This prevents your butter from solidifying again.
- Select ready-to-eat ripe mangoes for the best flavor. Use mangoes that are fragrant and give a little, which is a sign of ripeness. Hard mangoes will lack flavor and sweetness, and will also be hard to peel and cut. For more information, here’s a great article from Saveur on How to Pick the Perfect Ripe Mango.
FAQ:
- What type of mango is best for this recipe? I recommend Ataulfo mangoes because they are sweet, have great flavor, and their soft texture makes it easy to puree. Depending on the size of them, you’ll need 1-2 mangoes to yield one cup for this recipe.
- Can these mango cupcakes be made without the egg? Yes, these cupcakes can be made eggless. Simply substitute the egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for best results.
You might also like:
These tropical mango vanilla cupcakes are moist, buttery, and have a hint of coconut. The buttercream tastes fresh and sweet, and is bursting with mango flavor.
Did you make this recipe? Please kindly leave a comment with your star rating below.
PrintTropical Mango Vanilla Cupcakes
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
These tropical mango vanilla cupcakes are moist, buttery, and have a hint of coconut. The buttercream tastes fresh, sweet, and is bursting with mango flavor.
Ingredients
Mango Reduction
- 1 heaping cup of fresh diced mangoes (see notes for substitutions*)
Cupcakes
- 1 & 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (114g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (or 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) coconut flavored yogurt (see notes for substitutions**)
- 1/2 cup (125ml) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
Buttercream
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (125ml) mango reduction
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar
Instructions
Mango Reduction
- Puree the diced mangoes until smooth using a blender. Measure out 1 cup and pour into a small saucepan.
- Bring the puree to a simmer on the stovetop over medium-low heat. While stirring frequently, let it simmer until it reduces to half the volume (15-30 minutes). Set aside to cool while preparing cupcakes and frosting.
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with 12 paper liners.
- In a large bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter with the sugar. Mix in the egg, yogurt, milk, and vanilla.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter into the 12 paper liners. Bake for about 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Buttercream
- Beat the butter until light and fluffy. Mix in the mango reduction, vanilla, and salt.
- Add in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing in between. Blend until smooth after adding the final cup of powdered sugar. Frost as desired.
Notes
*You can substitute fresh mangoes with canned mango pulp or frozen mango chunks. If using frozen mangoes, thaw and drain before pureeing.
**You can replace the coconut flavored yogurt with plain or vanilla yogurt, or sour cream if you prefer.
The cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place on the countertop for 1 hour to bring to room temperature before serving.
OMG these look and sound amazing. My mouth is watering just looking at the photos! Thanks for bringing these to FF! 🙂
You’re welcome and nice meeting you:)
I’ve never heard of pan fried cupcakes, but now I’m curious!! Awesome cupcakes, I’ll have some with the mango buttercream icing, thanks! 😀
I am going to pan fry my cupcakes the next time I make them and I will let you know. Thanks for the chat:)
Lily, welcome to Fiesta Friday! And haven’t you arrived in style with these beauties…I love the combination of mango and coconut. Your grandmother could be onto something fairly genius there with the crispy fried cakes – have you ever tried it? Thanks to Jhuls (aka Bubbles) for inviting you and I hope to see you here regularly! Happy 1st Fiesta Friday!
Thanks for the welcome Selma, I think pan fried cupcakes is going to have to be a post….stay tuned:)
These cupcakes are so pretty. And I love anything tropical and mango. Thanks for bringing them to Fiesta Friday! =)
You’re welcome and nice chatting with you:)
It’s nice to meet you, Lily! =)
Your cupcakes are simply gorgeous!! But wait a minute…is that Jhuls? I just saw her slipping a few in her purse! Oh that naughty Jhuls….:/
You’re funny lol, thanks for chatting and for the compliment:)
Welcome to Fiesta Friday, Lily! You’re a pro at baking, aren’t you? These look like the ones sold in bakeries. Except of course you won’t find mango cupcakes. You’ll have to make them yourself. So, thank you for the recipe. I happen to love mangoes. 🙂
Hey Angie, thank you for the compliment, it means a lot coming from you and thanks again for hosting, such a wonderful idea and great way to end a week!
I’ve never considered putting mango puree in my buttercream- genius!! yummy 🙂 Super pretty too!
It is sweet mango heaven, thanks for stopping by:)
I love mango anything! These sound so good!! 🙂 thanks! Love your blog!
These look amazing and delicious!
Oh my… they look way to pretty to eat! Silly me! I’m ready to gobble them down. 😉 So summery… Happy Fiesta Friday!
Thanks, I find when your food looks pretty, it is more delicious to eat, happy FF to you too!
So pretty and they sound just delish!
Thanks for the compliment Arlene, see you again:)
These are soooo beautiful!
Yes to mangoes in cupcakes! I bet they were really good 🙂
Its a perfect summer dessert. Thanks for stopping by:)
These look amazing!! Welcome to Fiesta Friday 🙂
Thanks, I enjoy your brownie recipes:)
wow this is art in itself let alone food, the colours oh my totally stunning! You deserve two glasses of bubbly, i hope your enjoying the party and thank you for sharing. Justine, co host with mr Fritz xxx
Thanks Justine, I’m mingling with a glass in hand lol. Thanks for chatting:)
Oh a pleasure I hope your glass is getting replenished a plenty xx
I love these flavors, Lily! I can’t wait to get my hands on some mangos this summer! Such pretty, bright presentation, too. That’s funny your grandma fries cupcakes in butter, lol. Why not, right? Have a great weekend!
Thanks Ngan, my grandma ate 4 pan fried cupcakes in 2 days, must be that good, I am going to give it a try next time I make these, it could be the next big thing:)
So glad you are joining us for Fiesta Friday Lily! If you hadn’t we would have sooo missed out on these cupcakes! Mango buttercream! How creative!
Did I just die?? These tropical treats of yours are perfect for summer and perfect for FF18. I am glad that you are here today, Lily! And thank you for the mention. Don’t be shy to mingle with others, okay? 😀
Btw, if I am not mistaken, did you link up your blog address (littlesweetbaker.com) instead of the direct link to the cupcakes post? Anyway, I think Angie wouldn’t mind for now. 🙂
You’re funny Jhuls and I did link to my homepage instead of this post, opps rookie mistake. I’ll know for next week. Thanks for the visit!
It’s my pleasure, Lily! I am glad you are loving FF. 🙂
Lily, these cupcakes look amazing! They really do look like summer 🙂 I wish I could actually taste one. But I’ll just have to taste them virtually 😉 Love the pictures! p.s. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of pan frying cupcakes either. Although I can imagine my grandmother doing so..
Happy Fiesta Friday! xx
Thanks Sarah for the compliment and Happy FF to you too:)
Mango icing looks delicious.. Recent days I couldn’t think anything other tan mangoes.. Ur cup cake tempt me to prepare
Mangos are one of my favorite fruits. Thanks for visiting!