Vanilla- Coconut- Caramel Cupcakes

Instructions

Make the Frosting:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, vanilla bean and seeds. Cook over high heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved. Using a wet pastry brush, wash down any crystals from the side of the pan. Cook over moderate heat without stirring until a medium-dark amber caramel forms, about 9 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the butter and heavy cream. (Don't worry if the butter separates.) Discard the vanilla bean. (I put it into my sugar canister!)
2. Transfer the caramel to the large bowl and using an electric mixer (ideally fitted with a whisk attachment,) beat at low speed until the caramel cools slightly and comes together, about 5 minutes. Add the sea salt and mix well.
3. With the machine on, beat in the cream cheese, 1 cube at a time and beating well between additions, until silky. (this may take 15 minutes or so...)
4. Transfer the frosting to a bowl and refrigerate until very firm, at least 6 hours. (Or 3 hours alternating between the freezer and fridge.)

Make the coconut milk reduction*:

1. Bring coconut milk to boil in large deep saucepan over medium-high heat (coconut milk will boil up high in pan). Reduce heat to medium-low; boil until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, stirring occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes.
2. Remove from heat; cool completely. Transfer to small bowl. Cover; chill (coconut milk will settle slightly as it cools). Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

For the Cupcakes:

1. Position rack in center of oven; preheated to 350°F. Line eighteen muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl.
3. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar; beat on medium-high speed until well blended, about 2 minutes.
4. Add 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Beat in seeds from vanilla bean and remaining egg.
5. Add half of flour mixture; mix on low speed just until blended. Add 1 cup reduced coconut milk; mix just until blended. Add remaining flour mixture; mix on low speed just until blended. Divide batter among muffin cups.
6. Bake cupcakes until tops spring back when gently touched and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes in pans to rack; cool 10 minutes. Carefully remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely on rack.