- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hours and 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: dessert
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: holiday
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hours and 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: dessert
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: holiday
Ingredients
for the coconut cake
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sweetened cream of coconut (see note!)*
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract, optional
- 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
for the coconut cream cheese frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 pounds powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup sweetened cream of coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups shredded coconut, unsweetened
- 4 large sprigs of rosemary, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans or three 6-inch cake pans and set aside.
- In a stand mixer beat the egg whites with the whisk attachment until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes, but check periodically. You don’t want the egg whites to dry out, so make sure not to over beat them. Transfer the egg whites to a bowl and set aside so that you can use the mixer for the rest of the batter!
- Beat the softened butter and sugar in stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the coconut cream, egg yolks, coconut extract and vanilla extract and beat for another 2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl to blend. On low speed, alternate beating in the dry ingredients and buttermilk into the butter mixture until just blended. Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool.
- While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting. Beat the butter and cream cheese together with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the coconut cream, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar, beating until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- When you are ready to assemble the cake, place one layer on a cake stand. Spread a thick layer of frosting over the top of the first layer. Top with the second layer (and third, if doing a 3 tier cake), and spread the rest of the frosting over the top and sides. It’s okay if it’s messy–you’re going to cover it with coconut. Sprinkle coconut all over the cake, pressing it into the sides gently to get it to stick.
- If decorating, top the cake with a few large sprigs of rosemary to form a little “forest.” Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar for a snowy finish. Enjoy!
Keywords: christmas dessert idea, christmas cake, best coconut cake recipe
Notes
*Sweetened coconut cream can be hard to find sometimes. We love this one from Goya!
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Hi! How would you recommend storing this if making in advance?
Hi Carolyn! Keep it loosely covered in the fridge until ready to serve!
Hi! Can you make this GF? With GF flour? Has any tried? Thanks!
I’ve never tried it, but I think Bob’s Redmill 1:1 gluten free baking flour would work!
I love this cake recipe! It’s always been a hit whenever I’ve made it. I’m wondering if instead of making it a layered cake if I could make it as a sheet pan cake?
★★★★★
Absolutely! You can make it in a 9 x 13!
Made this coconut cake today. OMG! It was so declious, moist, and full of coconut flavor. Easily the best coconut cake I have ever baked or ate! This recipe is now in my “make again folder”!
I use this cake as a base and play around from there. This year ill be using Doce de leite for the filling.
That sounds delicious!