03Toast pecan and coconut over medium heat in a dry skillet for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
04Combine all cake ingredients in a large stainless steel bowl. Beat for 2 minutes on high with electric mixer. Stir in pecans and coconut flake mixture reserving about 1/3 cup for garnishing later.
05Pour batter into prepared cups.
06Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out of center completely clean.
07Place on a cooling rack. Prick top of cupcakes with toothpick. ALLOW TO COOL COMPLETELY.
08For glaze:.
09Melt butter in saucepan.
10Stir in 1/4 cup of the rum and sugar.
11Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat.
12Stir in remaining 1/4 cup of rum.
13For Frosting:.
14Before starting, place your stainless steel bowl and the arms for mixer into the freezer, for about 5 minutes. The cold bowl and arms form stiffer peaks in your frosting.
15In large bowl, with mixer at medium-low speed, beat sugar, butter, vanilla, and 4 tablespoons rum until blended.
16Increase speed to medium-high; beat until light and fluffy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula.
17Beat in more rum as needed for desire consistency for frosting.
18To finish cupcakes:.
19Dip tops of cupcakes into Butter Rum Glaze and allow excess to drop off before placing back down. This part can get a bit messy.
20Pipe on dollops of frosting, I usually leave some of the cupcake showing cause the glaze is so shiny and pretty.
21Drizzle a small amount of remaining drizzle over top of frosting. Sprinkle with remaining pecan and coconut.