Coconut and Mandarin Cupcakes

If you're bored of the usual cupcake flavors, try these pretty little cakes for something different. You'll be surprized how nicely the flavors compliment eachother.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 1  cup sugar (I add a couple extra tbsp)
• 2  eggs
• 2⁄3 cup  vegetable oil
• 3  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  tablespoons lemon peel (optional)
• 1  tablespoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  vanilla chip
• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained

• TOPPING

• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 1  cup flaked coconut
• 2 -3  tablespoons butter or 2 -3  tablespoons margarine, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375F and grease/paper-line a muffin pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil, orange juice and peel, if using and mix well.
3. Do the same with the dry ingredients in a seperate bowl then mix into the wet ingredients; stirring just until moistened. Fold in the mandarins and white chocolate chips.
4. Spoon mixture into muffin cups about 2/3 full.
5. Combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over each muffin.
6. Bake muffins for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.