Let’s be real, is there anything prettier than a homemade coconut cake from scratch set out for a Spring gathering? Those pure white coconut flakes on the frosting remind of a newly born little bunny tail or a spring lamb in the field – fluffy white and pure. To complement the freshness, bring nature to the table by filling a clear glass vase tucked in the center of the bundt shaped cake with yellow Tulips for an unexpected pop of color.
Yes, baking a homemade Coconut Cake from scratch takes just a bit longer but the results, and sense of pride, make the extra time in the kitchen all worth while. Place your fluffy beauty on a raised white china cake plate, but keep the rest of the desert buffet clean with bone china cake plates, Hampton Forge etched polka dot flatware and two simple Wedgwood White miniature french inspired garden urns to mirror the natural feel of the tulips.
This look is perfect for indoors luncheon for girlfriends or an outdoor Mother’s Day gathering on the patio – however be sure to keep your cake chilled until serving time to ensure the frosting doesn’t melt.
HOMEMADE COCONUT CAKE FROM SCRATCH
INGREDIENTS
3/4 pound {3 sticks} unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for greasing pan
2 ½ cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting pan
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup coconut milk
4 ounces unsweetened shredded organic coconut
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 1 round bundt cake pan, dust lightly with flour – tap upside down to remove excess flour.
In a large bowl cream room temperature butter and sugar until mixture becomes light yellow and fluffy. In a separate small bowl crack eggs. Add eggs into butter sugar mixture 1 at a time making sure each egg is full combined before adding the next. Add the vanilla and almond extracts – mix.
In a clean medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add half of the dry mixture and half the milk to the butter egg bowl, mix to combined. Continue adding the remainder of the dry mixture and milk, mix well to combine all ingredients. Using a spatula scrape any remaining batter from the edges and fold in shredded coconut.
Pour the batter into greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 for 45 to 55 minutes, until the top has browned – do not worry if it puffs up and/or cracks – and a cake tester comes out clean. Place pan on a baking rack to cool for 30 minutes, then flip over to remove cake from pan and allow to cool completely before frosting.
See frosting recipe below.
HOMEMADE COCONUT CREAM FROSTING
INGREDIENTS
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 pound {2 sticks} unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sweetened cream de coco
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, to be used on outside of frosting
METHOD
In a large mixing bowl combine the cream cheese, butter, cream de coco and vanilla extract until just blended – do not over mix. Add in 1/2 the confectioners’ sugar, mix then add the remaining until smooth.
To decorate the cake, sprinkle the top with coconut and lightly press more coconut onto the sides. Serve chilled to room temperature – due to the butter content in this frosting it must be kept cool to hold its consistency.
SHOP ITEMS IN THIS FEATURE ON AMAZON
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware 9-1/2-Inch Cake Pan
Hampton Forge Skandia Dots 45-Piece Flatware Set
BIA Cordon Bleu Porcelain Round Cake Stand
I am a coconut cake fanatic and this is by far, the BEST recipe that I’ve ever made!! Thanks for sharing!
Well thank you Jamie!! Enjoy!
That cake looks amazing! How perfect is that on a hot summer day? YUM! I’ll take a slice with a pina colada, please. 😉 Visiting late from #FridaySharefest!
Denise ~ I will be right over!
This looks amazing. I love to bake and nothing says Summer like coconut. Think I’ll give this a try this weekend.
Mimi ! How did it go?
I love anything coconut – this looks AMAZING! Can’t wait to try it 🙂
It was such fun to make Tracy! Let me know how it goes for you!
Gorgeous Krayl!!!! While I am not much of a cake eater I do love coconut. I have a bunch of bags in my freezer that I will happily donate to you if you ever run out 🙂 Thanks for sharing via #FridayShareFest
ooooo – I will keep that in mind Beth Thank You!
This just looks mouth watering!!! I need to try and make it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
xo
Thank you Tabitha!
These pictures look beautiful and the cake looks delicious!!!
Thank you Lauren! It is so good!
This. Looks. INCREDIBLE. I’m such a coconutty girl, so I think I might request the fiance make this for my birthday!
cominguprosestheblog.com
YES!! And I want to see a picture too!!
I see this and get very sad that Im allergic to coconut. However Im going to pin for others because this looks amazing!
Neely I am sad for you too!
I am an admitted coconut-aholic. It’s one of my favorite things on earth – even the coconut flavored stuff! That said, I want to plant my face in this cake. And the icing, made with creme de coco?! Killing me. Even after spending all day in the kitchen, I’m so tempted to get back in there and make this! Yummed & pinned!
Thank you Erica!! I am cracking up thinking of you planting your face in there!
I have always loved the way coconut cakes looked and the taste is even better. I did a coconut cake for Easter, decorated with a touch of green tinted coconut on top and a few jelly beans for decor and it was a hit. I like that you add the almond extract. I think it really rounds out the flavor. This is such a classic dessert and you make it look stunning. Thanks for sharing! ~s
Thank you Sue for being so sweet – your cake sounds gorgeous!
This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thanks for stopping by Brenda!
I absolutely love coconut cake! I recognize its a lot of work so I’m glad my aunt makes it! Lol
Nadeen you are a lucky lady!!
You had me at Coconut! I love coconut, and I mean I love it! I really need to try this and hope no one else likes it so I can keep it all to myself 🙂
Nicole – you can hide it!!
My husband and mom love anything coconut and one of them has a birthday coming up. I think I found the recipe for their birthday cake. Can’t wait to eat it. Yum.
Oh yes! Please do!
What a gorgeous cake! I agree that even though homemade takes a little longer the results are definitely worth it!!
Ricci ~ When you have the time it is always worth it!!
I absolutely love how you centered the vase of flowers around the cake–beautiful!
Thank you Kristen!!
The cake looks amazing and your set up is impeccable. I don’t know if I’d be able to replicate either, but you make it look SOOO good! Great post!
Yes you can Dionne! You have got this one!
Krayl,
Stunning photos. This cake looks well worth the time and effort to bake from scratch!
well worth it Kirsten!