Hostess Sno Ball Cupcakes

Photo: Katie Roane

Ingredients

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

3/4 cup warm water

3/4 cup buttermilk

3 tablespoons safflower oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 egg whites

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

of salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 large Egg Whites, room temperature

2 cups Caster Sugar

2/3 cup Water

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups sweetened coconut flakes

10 drops red food coloring

Preparation

Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups

Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely

In the bowl of an electric mixer, using a handheld whisk, beat together the egg whites, sugar, corn syrup and salt just until combined. Place the bowl over but not touching simmering water in a saucepan and whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot, 2 to 3 minutes

Set the bowl on the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat until the outside of the bowl is cool and medium-firm peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes more.

Spoon the filling into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch plain tip. Insert the tip 1 inch into the bottom of a cupcake. Gently squeeze the filling into the cupcake while slowly withdrawing the tip. Repeat in two more places along the bottom. Turn the cupcake over so that the filling holes are on the underside and place on a serving p late. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes and filling

Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan

Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved

Bring to the boil, uncovered and without stirring, about 5 minutes (the syrup should be thick but not colored)

Remove from heat and set aside

Beat 4 egg whites until soft peaks form

While still beating, slowly pour the hot syrup in a thin stream down the side of the bowl and into the beaten egg whites

Add in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and beat on high speed until mixture is thick and glossy, about 10 minutes

Frost cooled cupcakes

Drop food coloring into a plastic container and shake it

Add in coconut flakes and shake again, adding more drops to get desired color

Garnish cupcakes with your pink coconut topping!