Snowy white cupcakes with mascarpone frosting rolled in flaky coconut. Fun for kids and parents to make and frost, with a simple and quick frosting, then watch as the cupcakes transform into snowballs when rolled in a pile of sweet coconut! A great treat to enjoy with a warm cup of cocoa while watching your favorite holiday classic movie!

Makes about 8 cupcakes



Ingredients:
7 ounces all-purpose flour
¾ tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
½ cup butter, at room temperature
½ cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg, at room temperature
¼ cup plain yogurt
For the Frosting and Topping:
3 ounces mascarpone cheese at room temperature
1 ¾ cups confectioner’s sugar
1 Tablespoon heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded coconut

Directions:
1.    Preheat the oven to 375ºF.  Line the muffin pan with liners.
2.    In medium bowl stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3.    In the bowl of an electric mixer beat together the butter, sugar, and vanilla for about 3 minutes on medium speed until creamy.  Add the egg and continue mixing to incorporate. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl with the rubber spatula.
4.    Add half of the flour mixture, and mix on low speed just until blended. Add the yogurt and mix until smooth then the rest of the flour mixture and mix just until blended.  Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl with rubber spatula.
5.    Scoop the batter into prepared muffin pan and bake until tester inserted comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool completely on a rack before frosting.
6.    Prepare frosting by mixing mascarpone, confectioner’s sugar, cream, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth- about 3 minutes.
7.    In a small bowl or plate, place coconut. Spread frosting on cooled cupcakes and, holding the bottom of each cupcake, dip into coconut!