Love a classic cake recipe? Make sure to check out my Hummingbird Cake and my Banana Cake Recipe!
My Favorite Coconut Cake Recipe!
Today’s recipe is a MEGA CLASSIC! It’s a cake recipe that I LOVE making, but have to get out of the house instantly, or I will eat the entire thing. AND it’s not exactly health food.
My Favorite Coconut Cake Recipe!Looking For More Coconut Recipes? Try These:How To Make Homemade Coconut CakeDo You HAVE To Whip the Egg Whites?What If You Don’t Have Buttermilk?What Kind of Frosting Do You Use on Coconut Cake?How Can You Make This In a 9×13 pan?Want Even MORE Coconut Recipes? Get the Recipe
This Coconut Cake is what cake dreams are made of. It’s rustic and casual looking, but it’s special enough to serve on holidays, birthdays, or to guests. This, along with my Hummingbird Cake are my go-to cake recipes I make when I want to impress. The cake itself is soft, fluffy, and moist and the frosting is creamy coconut buttercream! A lot of coconut cakes have cream cheese frosting, but I prefer mine with coconut buttercream. It’s fluffy and sweet, and partners with the cake texture in a gorgeous way. Cake dreams are happening today, lads. Get your mixer ready!
Looking For More Coconut Recipes? Try These:
Coconut Cream Cheese Pound CakeChewy Coconut BarsToasted Coconut Banana Bread
Shop Items:Rubber Spatula (similar)Rubber Spatula (similar)Wooden Cake Stand (similar)
How To Make Homemade Coconut Cake
Let’s talk about the details. I always sigh when I need to make a layer cake. I much prefer a sheet cake, baked in a 9×13 pan. It’s less fussy, easy to frost, and you generally can serve it right out of the pan! And ps – you CAN make this in a 9×13! I’ll get to that in a minute. BUT there is just something about a layer cake…wouldn’t you agree? It just makes more of an impact, and let’s be honest…it’s just prettier. Plus it’s really not THAT much more work! The cake batter is pretty straight forward, but there are a few steps I want to talk about…
Why Do You Whisk the Egg Whites?
So when you read the recipe for this coconut cake, you will notice that you separate the eggs. In a lot of cake recipes you toss the yolks, but I hate that waste, so in my recipe I use both…just at different times. Let me talk about why:
Eggs in baking contribute structure building proteins. The proteins along with the starch from the flour forms the crumb of the cake as it bakes.The yolks in eggs have protein, but also fat, flavor and emulsifying lecithin. The emulsifiers hold water and fat together, which in turns creates a moister cake. So over the years I’ve realized I don’t like to leave the yolks out! I’ve made cakes before that just use whipped whites, and I always find them to be slightly dry with less flavor.But you can’t leave the whites out! The egg whites, when separated and whipped act as a leavener. They will lighten up the texture of the batter, and in turn the cake as it’s baked!
Do You HAVE To Whip the Egg Whites?
The short answer is no. You can make this cake and omit that step completely. BUT you will be left with a denser, tighter crumb. The magic of this cake is the tender, fluffiness, so I absolutely recommend whisking the whites separately. Just give it a try!
What If You Don’t Have Buttermilk?
No problem! I show you guys How To Make Buttermilk in that post! It’s easy with milk and vinegar or lemon juice. If you don’t have any of those things, you can just use milk.
What Kind of Frosting Do You Use on Coconut Cake?
Honestly you could put just about any frosting on this cake and it would work! The coconut flavor is mild enough that it could be paired with lots of other flavors! Traditionally, I have seen coconut cake made with cream cheese frosting, and yes, that’s delicious, but I actually prefer Coconut Buttercream on mine!! Here are a few other frosting options:
Creamy Chocolate Frosting. Think about an Almond Joy! Garnish it with sliced almonds and you’ve created an entirely new cake!Cream Cheese Frosting. If you still love the idea of cream cheese frosting on this cake, grab the recipe from my Hummingbird Cake and use it here!Roasted Strawberry Buttercream. Pairing strawberry and coconut isn’t the norm, but I bet it would be DELICIOUS!
How Can You Make This In a 9×13 pan?
This cake easily can be made in a sheet style pan instead of as a layer cake! Just coat a 9×13 pan with baking spray, and spread all of your batter in evenly. Increase the baking temperature to 350°F, and bake for 35-40 minutes! Alternately you can cake make cupcakes as well by baking at 350°F for 18-20 minutes.
Want Even MORE Coconut Recipes?
Coconut Stuffed BrowniesButter Coconut BarsCoconut Layer Bars
PIN for later!
You’ll also sign up to get new recipes in your inbox. Δ
1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1 3/4 cup granulated sugar 5 eggs, room temperature*, separated 1 teaspoon coconut extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 1/4 cups cake flour 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Frosting
1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature 8 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut for garnish
