There is nothing better than a coconut cake with a soft, fluffy, moist cake frosted with a coconut buttercream frosting!
Coconut Cake Recipe
For us, a coconut cake should have full coconut flavor and buttercream instead of a cream cheese frosting. This cake delivers everything we crave and expect from classic coconut cake!
Ingredients for Homemade Coconut Cake
- Eggs – separated
- Granulated sugar – divided
- Cake flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Vegetable or canola oil
- Coconut milk (canned)
- Vanilla extract
- Coconut extract
How to Make Coconut Cake
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper, butter, and dust with flour or use baking spray.
In a large bowl beat the egg whites until just frothy. Add 1/2 cup of sugar one tablespoon at a time until the egg whites are glossy and form stiff peaks.
In a separate large bowl whisk together the cake flour, remaining 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the vegetable oil, coconut milk, egg yolks, vanilla, and coconut extract. Using an electric mixer beat for 2 minutes on medium speed.
Fold in the egg whites and divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
Bake for 26-30 minutes or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes in the pans then turn them out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely to room temperature.
Ingredients for Coconut Buttercream Frosting
- Unsalted butter – softened
- Vanilla extract
- Coconut extract
- Salt
- Powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)
- Coconut milk (canned)
- Sweetened shredded coconut flakes
How to Make Coconut Buttercream Frosting
In a large bowl beat the softened butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla, coconut extract, and salt.
Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, alternating with the coconut milk, beating until combined and reaches your desired consistency.
Trim the tops of the cake layers if needed.
To assemble, place one layer of cake on a cake stand or plate. Add about 3/4 cup of frosting to the top and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of coconut flakes over the frosting. Top with the second layer of cake. Apply frosting to the entire cake.
To add the coconut to the top and sides of the cake, place the cake on a baking sheet (to help catch excess coconut). Fill your hand with coconut and press gently into the sides of the cake. Repeat until the desired amount of coconut flakes is applied.
More Coconut Dessert Recipes
- Coconut Cupcakes
- Homemade Coconut Cream Pie
- No Bake Samoa Cake
- Easy Coconut Sheet Cake
- Almond Joy Cookies
- Classic Hello Dolly Cookies
Coconut Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 large eggs, room temperature separated
- 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 cup cake flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup coconut milk, canned
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp coconut extract
For the Coconut Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp coconut extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 5 1/2 cups powdered sugar up to 6 cups
- 1/3 cup coconut milk, canned up to 1/2 cup
- 2 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut flakes
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans with parchment, butter, and dust with flour or use baking spray.
- In a large bowl beat the egg whites until just frothy. Add 1/2 cup of sugar one tablespoon at a time until the egg whites are glossy and form stiff peaks.
- In a separate large bowl whisk together the cake flour, remaining 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the vegetable oil, coconut milk, egg yolks, vanilla, and coconut extract. Using an electric mixer beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.
- Fold in the egg whites and divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 26-30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick or skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pans then turn them out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Coconut Buttercream
- In a large bowl beat the softened butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla, coconut extract, and salt.
- Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, alternating with the coconut milk, beating until combined and reaches desired consistency.
- To assemble, place one layer of cake on a cake stand or plate. Add about 3/4 cup of frosting to the top and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of coconut flakes over the frosting. Top with the second layer of cake. Apply frosting to the entire cake.
- To add the coconut to the top and sides of the cake, place the cake on a baking sheet (to help catch excess coconut). Fill your hand with coconut and press gently into the sides of the cake. Repeat until the desired amount of coconut flakes is applied.
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