Description
A fluffy, tender coconut cake layered with a tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for potlucks and celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup coconut custard (for filling)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Toasted coconut flakes (optional)
- Fresh berries (optional)
- Lime or orange zest (optional)
- Pineapple tidbits (optional)
- Chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts (optional)
- Simple sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your cake pans.
- Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the coconut flakes gently.
- Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
- Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
- Add coconut custard to the first cake layer once cool.
- Beat cream cheese and butter, then gradually add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy for the frosting.
- Frost the cake layers, using a crumb coat before the final frost, and decorate as desired.
- Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
If frosting a warm cake, chill it first to prevent melting. For best results, ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: coconut cake, cream cheese frosting, dessert, baking, tropical cake