This gorgeous coconut cake is easy to make and absolutely loaded with flavor. It's sure to be a hit at your next party!
Honestly, I love a coconut layer cake any time of the year but I particularly love them during the holiday season. There is something so magical about coconut during the holidays.
Personally, I'm not a big layer cake kind of person. Not that I don't love them. I enjoy eating them and I appreciate how gorgeous they are.
However, I am not a patient person. So, taking the time to make all the layer and then stack all the layers perfectly is just too tedious for me. Occasionally I make an exception and whip up a fabulous layer cake.
For this one, I threw caution to the wind and went for it. The layers aren't necessarily perfect but it turned out pretty awesome, if I do say so myself!
This coconut cake would also be lovely with toasted coconut. Again, I'm not very patient so waiting for coconut to toast perfectly is not going to happen on a regular basis. So, plain shredded coconut is what I used.
If I'm being honest, I think it was the right choice, especially for serving this during the holidays. There is something so elegant about a white cake for Christmas.
Whether you make this for someone special for their birthday, or if you make it for the holidays, your guests will love it.
Honestly, if I can make it anyone can. Seriously, I'm not a master cake maker. You will rarely layer cakes on my blog. So, I am not kidding when I say "if I can make it, anyone can make it".
Honestly, a monkey could make this cake. Although I'm sure he'd prefer banana cake.
More Dessert Recipes:
- B52 Layer Cake
- Polish Paczki
- Mini Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
- Pretty in Pink Cupcakes
- Trix Ice Cream Cake
- Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake
Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest
Instagram ~ YouTube ~ Kiss My Smoke
Coconut Cake
Ingredients
For the Coconut Layer Cake:
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 3 cups cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups coconut milk
For the Coconut Cream Frosting:
- ½ cup butter softened
- ⅓ cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 5 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
For the topping:
- 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
Instructions
For the Coconut Layer Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray three 9-inch round baking pans with non-stick spray, then lightly flour. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer combine the butter and sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is fluffy.
- Now add the egg yolks, one at a time, into the mixer, continue to mix well after each addition.
- Add the coconut extract, mix again until combined.
- In a separate medium sized bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift this twice, don't skip this step, it's worth the time it takes.
- Now gradually add the butter mixture alternating with the coconut milk, making sure you begin and end with the flour mixture. You want to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
- Now in another separate mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer on high speed until the mixture forms stiff peaks.
- Now you are going to fold that gently into the other batter, make sure you do not over-mix, nor use a mixer at this time. Folding in carefully is important.
- Spoon the batter evenly into each pan, and place them in the oven. Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes. The top should be golden, and if you insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake the toothpick should come out clean.
- Now you want to carefully remove the cakes from the oven. Allow to cool in the pans for about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack, and continue to cool completely.
- Once cooled you can slice each cake layer in half horizontally. Set them aside while you prepare the frosting.
For the Coconut Cream Frosting:
- *note: I used three batches of icing for this cake because I used it for the layers. I also did a scratch coat before the final coat.*
- In a stand mixer, using the whisk attachment, mix the butter, coconut milk, heavy cream, and coconut extract until creamy. Now add the confectioners' sugar gradually, mixing until smooth.
- Use this frosting to put in all your layers. So lay the first layer on a plate or cake stand, spread frosting over it evenly. Continue this process until all the layers are stacked. Coat the entire cake with a thin layer of frosting. Allow to set up.
- Now add your final coat of frosting over the whole cake. Carefully place all the coconut over the cake so the entire thing is covered.
- Place in fridge until ready to serve.
- Serve with a big old coconut loving smile!
Notes
Nutrition
Thanks for visiting today!
If you’re looking for more dessert recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more cake recipes as well.
Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.
Toodles! xx
Liz
I'm so glad you didn't have to resort to a parfait! I adore coconut and this is one spectacular creation. Thanks to you and the birthday girl for hosting another Christmas Week.
Stacy
I just love the look of a tall layered cake but I don't make them very often either. Your coconut cake is gorgeous, Kim! Totally worth the extra effort!
Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts
Kim this cake is so pretty! Perfect for a holiday treat or any winter cake or really, any time you want to get your coconut on. Thanks!
Jan Elmore
Is it that coconut reminds me of fluffy snow? ...love me some coconut cake!
itzia
I made some cupcakes last night and I think everyone's gonna love them! So I'd say cupcakes.
John@Kitchen Riffs
I love coconut! After lemon (and, well, chocolate!) my favorite flavor in sweets. This looks terrific -- thanks.
Emily @ Life on Food
Oh I love to make all sorts of cookies. Sugar and Gingerbread are a must.
Jan E
Can't get enough of Christmas food!!! Giant fluffy snowball cake. Yeessss!!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
SO COCONUTTY!!! Plus I love how it looks like there's fresh snow on the cake 😀
And my fave thing to bake during the holidays is COOOOKIES!
Lindsay
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Sarah Christensen
Favorite thing to bake - holidays or not - cookies!
Sarah Christensen
also the rafflecopter seems to be broken, it won't recognize that I've entered my twitter username so I have been unable to get entries for twitter following the various users...
Kim Beaulieu
It was wonky earlier. Try again, if not email me at cravingsofalunatic@gmail.com and I'll make sure you get entered. Thanks for letting me know. xx
Cyndi
I love to bake all the things but mostly cookies. I can bag them up & hand them out in RACs- Random Acts of Cookies- to neighbors, retail workers, anyone I pass who looks like they could use a cookie.
Kelly Shearer
You always have such wonderful recipes...I'm not big on coconut, but my Dad will love this!! Thanks!
Angela {Mind Over Batter}
The island girl inside me is doing the happy dance right now. I LOVE LOVE LOVE COCONUT!! I would go piranha on this cake!
LauriM
I love to bake molasses crinkles, gingerbread and sugar cookie cut-outs, plus snowballs!
Akaleistar
I love baking cookies during the holidays!
shaunie
My favorite thing to bake is peppermint topped brownies
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I love to bake Pecan Pies during the holidays
Marlene
I love coconut! This cake seems very very tasty! Thanks for sharing!