Ambrosia Cupcakes

These unbeatable Ambrosia Cupcakes are loaded with flavor. Pineapple, apricot, coconut...your taste buds will be dancing! The addition of butter, shortening and sour cream to the batter guarantees a moist, tender crumb. Yum! Zan Brock, Jasper, Alabama36 ServingsPrep: 25 min. Bake: 20 min./batch + cooling
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
- 2 cups sugar
- 5 eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon rum extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup apricot nectar
- 1/4 cup pineapple preserves
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- FROSTING:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup pineapple preserves
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves
- 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- 36 maraschino cherries with stems