Coconut Cake is a light and fluffy layer cake infused with coconut flavor, layered and frosted with creamy coconut frosting, and topped with shredded coconut for a beautiful and tropical finish.
Author:Beth
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:2 hours (includes cooling and frosting)
Yield:12 slices 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp coconut extract
1 cup canned coconut milk
1/2 cup whole milk
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut (divided)
8 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
4 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
1 tsp coconut extract (for frosting)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix in vanilla and coconut extracts.
In a separate bowl, combine coconut milk and whole milk. Add to the batter alternately with the dry ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Fold in 1 cup of the shredded coconut.
Divide batter evenly among prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in vanilla and coconut extracts until fluffy.
Frost the cooled cake layers and assemble. Spread frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
Press the remaining shredded coconut onto the top and sides of the cake to decorate.
Notes
Use canned coconut milk for rich coconut flavor.
Cake can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.