I'm back from our Spring Break adventure and so excited to share this TO-DIE-FOR Coconut Cake! This stuff is what dreams are made of. My dreams, anyway. It's by far the best scratch cake I have ever made. The flavor of coconut is utter perfection, and it is so moist and amazing. Seriously, you all need to make this cake!
Kale wasn't too excited when I told him what kind of cake I was making, because the little weirdo doesn't like coconut!! I know, I know... there are probably more of you out there that aren't a fan either, but I think it's the texture that's bothersome. It is for Kale, so if that's the case for you then feel free to leave off the toasted coconut and you will be good to go!
Coconut Cream Cake
with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
Adapted from: Favorite Family Recipes
FOR THE CAKE:
Wet Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups cream of coconut, divided (you can find this in the drink mix aisle at your grocery store)
4 large eggs
Dry Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients:
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon coconut extract
COCONUT CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon coconut extract
4-5 cups powdered sugar
milk (as needed)
Directions for the Cake: Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. (I also put parchment paper in the bottom of pans and then greased again)
Separate eggs whites from yolks, set aside whites. In a large bowl add the butter, sugar, 1 cup cream of coconut and the egg yolks. Using a hand mixer, on medium speed, beat until fluffy and combined.
In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet, with mixer on low speed, alternating with the buttermilk/ coconut extract mixture.
In the bowl of egg whites add a pinch of salt and beat on high speed until stiff. Fold the egg whites into the batter until just combined. Divide batter evenly among the two cake pans. Bake for 60 -70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack. Poke holes all over top of cakes (making sure not to poke all the way through) Drizzle the remaining 1/2 cup of cream of coconut onto both cakes.
Let cakes cool completely before frosting. ( After my cakes were cooled I wrapped them in saran wrap and then put them in the fridge overnight, so they would be easy to frost the next day)
For Frosting: In a medium bowl, add butter, cream cheese and coconut extract. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat together until combined and fluffy. Slowly add in the powdered sugar until frosting reaches your desired consistency. You may need to add a little milk.
Place one cake onto a cake platter or plate. Frost the top of that cake with frosting. Place the second cake on top and frost top and sides of the cake. Grab handfuls of toasted coconut and gently press onto the sides and top of cake. Enjoy! (Keep leftover cake covered and refrigerated)
* For Toasted Coconut: Place 1-2 cups of sweetened, shredded coconut onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes in a 325 degree oven. Some pieces will be browned and others white and soft. Let cool before covering on cake.
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