Classic Coconut Cake

Everything about this coconut cake is coconut, from filling to topping.

Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Total Time:
3 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
12

This layer cake is a coconut lover's dream. Complete with coconut sponge, coconut filling, and a light whipped cream frosting, this dreamy cake bursts with tropical flavor. The cake batter itself is studded with coconut flakes to add pops of flavor and texture to the cake. The real punch of coconut flavor comes from the coconut filling, which features both frozen coconut flakes and coconut extract.

Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake a slice on a plate with a fork to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you're feeling fancy, feel free to substitute the whipped cream frosting for a classic meringue to channel the nostalgia of your childhood coconut cream pies. Large flakes of toasted coconut make a beautiful garnish for this cream-filled cake. Look for organic unsweetened coconut flakes at health and specialty grocery stores (if you'd prefer, you may substitute regular sweetened flaked coconut). Make this cake as the ultimate birthday treat for the coconut-lover in your life. This centerpiece-worthy cake certainly makes the list of our favorite coconut desserts.

Ingredients

Coconut Cake

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 2 2/3 cups sugar

  • 1 cup shortening

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened

  • 1 cup milk

  • 2 teaspoons coconut extract

  • 5 large eggs

  • 1 (6-oz.) package frozen flaked coconut, thawed

  • Coconut shavings, for garnish

Coconut Filling

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup milk

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • 1 (6-oz.) package frozen flaked coconut, thawed

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

Whipped Cream Frosting

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract

Directions

  1. Make the Coconut Cake:

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease and flour 4 (9-inch) round cake pans. Gather your ingredients.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake ingredients

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Mix the Coconut Cake batter:

    Beat first 7 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake combining the first 7 batter ingredients in a mixing bowl

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Add extract, beating well.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake adding the extract to the cake batter

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake adding the eggs to the cake batter

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Stir in flaked coconut.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake stirring in the flaked coconut

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Pour batter into prepared pans.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake batter in the pans ready to bake

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Bake the cake layers:

    Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

    Let cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes.

    Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 1 hour).

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake layers cooling on wire racks

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Toast the coconut:

    Meanwhile, reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Arrange coconut shavings in a single layer in a shallow pan.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake coconut before toasting

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Bake, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake coconut after toasting

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  5. Make the Coconut Filling:

    Cook first 4 ingredients in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 12 to 15 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake cooking the filling until thickened

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Remove from heat, and stir in coconut and extracts. Let cool completely (about 30 minutes).

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake stirring in the coconut and extract

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  6. Make the Whipped Cream Frosting:

    Beat all ingredients at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake making the whipped cream frosting

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  7. Assemble the cake:

    Spread Coconut Filling between layers of cake, leaving a 1-inch border.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake spreading the filling inside the cake layers

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Spread Whipped Cream Frosting on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle toasted coconut on top of cake, pressing gently to adhere.

    Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake fully assembled on a cake plate to serve

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Related Articles