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Home » Popular » Cakes & Cupcakes » Homemade Coconut Cake

Homemade Coconut Cake

By: Rosemary Published: April 28, 2019 Updated on: June 25, 2021

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Homemade Coconut Cake a made from scratch Vanilla Cake with a Creamy Cream Cheese  frosting, then decorated with flaked coconut. The perfect Special Occasion Cake.

I love baking and serving cakes, a couple of our favourites are this delicious Carrot Cake and an Easy Yogurt Cake.

Table of Contents

  • Coconut Cake
  • How to make the Best Coconut Cake:
  • How to make flat layer cakes:
  • Do you use Sweetened or Unsweetened Coconut?
  • Can I add Coconut to the batter?
  • How to Store Coconut Cake:
  • Can you freeze Coconut Cake?
  • More Delicious Layer Cakes:
  • Coconut Cake Recipe
      • Never Miss a Recipe!
  • Homemade Coconut Cake
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • FOR THE CAKE
      • FOR THE FROSTING
    • Instructions 
      • FOR THE CAKE
      • FOR THE FROSTING
    • Notes
    • Nutrition

coconut layer cake with a slice on a black plateCoconut Cake

My amazing baker cousin first made this for a family/graduation get together at my sister’s. My daughter was graduating from college and my cousin offered to bake the cake.

My daughter put in her request for a Coconut Cake, since coconut is one of her favourite fruits (technically it is called a drupe) and oh my goodness I ate one of the softest most delectable cakes I have ever tasted.

She later told me that the cake recipe was adapted from Martha Stewart,  good job Martha.

Coconut Cake, a delicious soft, moist cake with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Topped with coconut flakes, a perfect Christmas dessert.

Janet finally got her wish and came to visit us for a couple of weeks. We add a little get together with friends and so I knew this Coconut Cake would be the perfect Dessert Recipe for my Italian friends

And yup I was right. Two slices later and it was declared a definite winner!

How to make the Best Coconut Cake:

  • In a medium bowl at medium speed beat together butter and sugar for about 2 minutes until combined then add eggs and beat, combine well.
  • Remember to use room temperature eggs, butter and milk, ingredients at room temperature tend to combine easier and better.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating on low until combined. Add milk and vanilla and continue beating until combined.
  • Divide batter into 2 greased and floured cake pans. Bake until golden (use toothpick to test for doneness), approximately 30-35 minutes.
  • Remove and let cool completely on wire racks, then frost with the Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting.

How to make flat layer cakes:

An easy way to get your cakes flatter on top is to flatten the tops with a little pressure from your palms, do it while the cake is still warm. That way you may not have to cut anything off the top!

coconut layer cake on a black cake stand

Do you use Sweetened or Unsweetened Coconut?

I prefer unsweetened, sweetened coconut will make the cake too sweet.

Can I add Coconut to the batter?

Yes you can add coconut to the batter, I would add from a 1/2 -3/4 cup to the batter, be sure to fold it in gently.

How to Store Coconut Cake:

This Cake should be loosely covered and then stored at room temperature (as long as your house is 70 degrees F or less (21 C), although if you have the cake longer than  two days it should be stored in the refrigerator.

In the refrigerator the cake will last up to 5 days.

coconut layer cake with a slice out

Can you freeze Coconut Cake?

Coconut Cake can be frozen either frosted or unfrosted. If freezing the cake frosted – place the frosted unwrapped cake on a cookie tray in the freezer. Let it freeze until solid, approximately 4 hours. Then wrap the cake in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container or freezer bag.

If you wish to freeze the unfrosted cake then wrap the layers separately in plastic wrap then place in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Either way the cake will keep up to 5 months in the freezer.

More Delicious Layer Cakes:

  • Chocolate Cake with Mocha Icing
  • Strawberries and Cream Vertical Layer Cake
  • Homemade Classic Italian Tiramisu Layer Cake

So if you are looking for a special occasion Cake or just because I hope you give this Delicious Coconut Cake Recipe a try. Enjoy!

Coconut Cake Recipe

coconut cake slice on a black plate

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    Homemade Coconut Cake

    Rosemary Molloy
    Coconut Cake, a delicious soft, moist cake with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Topped with coconut flakes, a perfect Christmas dessert.
    4.59 from 90 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hr
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 35 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 servings
    Calories 478 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    FOR THE CAKE

    • 1/2 cup butter (salted/room temperature) (100 grams)
    • 2 cups all purpose flour (or cake/pastry flour) (260 grams)
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 1/2 cups sugar (300 grams)
    • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
    • 1 cup milk (room temperature) (240 grams)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla

    FOR THE FROSTING

    • 1/2 cup butter (room temperature) (100 grams)
    • 5 ounces whole fat cream cheese (room temperature) (150 grams)
    • 5 cups powdered sugar (625 grams)
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 cup whole or whipping cream (60 grams)
    • TOPPING
    • 1-2 cups coconut flakes (75-150 grams)

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat oven to 350°(180° celsius), lightly grease with butter and flour two 8 or 9 inch (20 - 22 cm) cake pans.

    FOR THE CAKE

    • In a medium bowl at medium speed beat together butter and sugar for 2 minutes until combined then add eggs and beat, combine well.
    • In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. then gradually add flour mixture, beating on low until combined. Add milk and vanilla and continue beating until combined.
    • Divide batter into prepared pans. Bake until golden (use toothpick to test for doneness), approximately 30-35 minutes. Remove and let cool completely on wire racks.

    FOR THE FROSTING

    • In a medium bowl beat together butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed until creamy approximately 1 minute. Lower speed to medium and add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beat well after each addition. Add salt, cream and vanilla and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
    • To frost the cake, place the first layer on a large plate top side down, spread with approximately 1 cup of frosting, place the second cake top side down and frost with remaining frosting.
    • Cover cake with coconut flakes. (we did it with small handfuls and packed it lightly against the cake). Enjoy!

    Notes

    For Room temperature be sure to remove the ingredients from the fridge 30 minutes before using.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 478kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 4gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 226mgPotassium: 167mgFiber: 1gSugar: 56gVitamin A: 595IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 1.2mg
    Keyword creamy homemade coconut cake, special occasion layer cake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Republished from December 7, 2014.

     

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      Cakes & Cupcakes, Christmas, Desserts, Easter, Fall/Winter, Frostings & Glazes, Most Posts, Thanksgiving

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      1. Shirley says

        October 1, 2022 at 4:27 am

        I can’t rate the recipe cause I haven’t made it yet i was trying too print it so I could make it

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          October 1, 2022 at 5:35 pm

          Hi Shirley, I hope you enjoy it. Take care!

          Reply
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      Hi, I'm Rosemary.

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