Best Ever Coconut Cake Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published December 23, 2018. Updated July 19, 2019

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This Coconut Cake is one of the best cakes you’ll ever make! It’s light and fluffy, it’s brimming with sweet coconut flavor and it’s finished with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. This has been a reader favorite recipe for years and it’s one of my my families favorites!

Best Ever Coconut Cake Recipe - Cooking Classy (1)

The Best Coconut Cake Recipe!

I shared this coconut cake four years ago but I figured it was due time that I re-share it in case some of you may have missed out. It’s a recipe book dessert staple!

Coconut Cake Video

This is what I’m planning on making for Christmas dessert and I can’t wait! Some people look forward to gifts, I look forward to cake.

This cake is elegant and sophisticated yet very traditional and simplistic and it’s perfect for the holidays since it’s not only incredibly delicious but it’s so white and snowy looking.

I love that it’s like the cake you remember your grandma serving at family parties growing up. Who doesn’t love agood old fashioned recipe like this? The classics are often the best.

Finally, A Soft and Moist Coconut Cake

This will probably be one of the softest cakes you’ll ever make and you’ll also love that it is incredibly moist (because we all hate a dry cake right?). And it is layered with sweet, natural coconut flavor with every bite, which is complimented perfectly by the light tang of the cream cheese in the frosting.

Good luck saying your only going to have a thin slice. Not gonna happen with this cake. Try it and you’ll see what I mean!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and Kwanzaa too! I hope you have the best holiday week!

Best Ever Coconut Cake Recipe - Cooking Classy (2)

Ingredients for Homemade Coconut Cake

  • Cake flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Granulated sugar and powdered sugar
  • Unsalted butter
  • Vegetable oil
  • Canned coconut milk (don’t use light)
  • Whole eggs and egg whites
  • Coconut extract and vanilla extract
  • Cream of tartar
  • Cream Cheese
  • Shredded sweetened coconut

How to Make Coconut Cake

  • Preheat oven and prepare cake pans.
  • Sift cake flour into a bowl then whisk with baking powder and salt.
  • In an electric stand mixer cream sugar, butter and canola oil.
  • Mix in egg yolks and extracts.
  • Blend in flour mixture in 3 additions alternating with additions of coconut milk.
  • Seperately whip egg whites with cream of tartar to stif peaks.
  • Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into cake batter at a time.
  • Pour batter into cake pans and spread even.
  • Bake until set, let cool completely then frost and finish with shredded coconut.

Best Ever Coconut Cake Recipe - Cooking Classy (3)

Can I Freeze Coconut Cake?

You can freeze the cake layers without the frosting. To do so wrap in foil then store in an airtight container. Let thaw then frost!

More Coconut Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies
  • German Chocolate Cake
  • Coconut French Toast
  • Baked Coconut Donuts
  • Coconut Cream Pie
  • Coconut Macaroons

Best Ever Coconut Cake Recipe - Cooking Classy (4)

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Coconut Cake

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This Coconut Cake is one of the best cakes you'll ever make! It's light and fluffy, it's brimming with sweet coconut flavor and it's finished with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. It's been a reader favorite recipe for years and it's one of my my families favorites!

Watch the video

Servings: 16 Servings

Prep40 minutes minutes

Cook20 minutes minutes

Cooling2 hours hours

Ready in: 3 hours hours

Ingredients

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

  • For the cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter three 9-inch round cake pans and line bottom of each with a round of parchment paper, butter parchment paper and set pans aside.

  • Sift cake flour into a large mixing bowl, then add baking powder and salt and whisk mixture. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, blend together granulated sugar, butter and canola oil on medium speed until well combined. Scrape down bowl.

  • Add in egg yolks one at a time and mix until combined after each addition, then mix in coconut and vanilla extracts. Scrape down bowl.

  • Add 1/3 of the flour mixture, blend just until combined. Add half of the coconut milk, mix just until combined. Mix in another 1/3 of the flour mixture followed by remaining coconut milk. Finish by mixing in last 1/3 of the flour mixture.

  • In a separate mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, whip 6 egg whites with cream of tartar on medium-high speed until stiff (but not dry) peaks form.

  • Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold 1/3 of the egg whites into cake batter at a time and fold just combined after each addition (don't over-mix and deflate egg whites).

  • Divide batter among prepared cake pans. Spread batter into an even layer and bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 19 - 22 minutes.

  • Allow to cool in cake pan 5 - 10 minutes then run a knife along edges of cakes and invert each onto a wire rack to cool. Cool completely the cut tops to even as needed.

  • Frost top of one layer, add another layer and frost then top with last layer and frost top and sides. Place cake stand over a rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle cake evenly with shredded coconut (pressing gently on sides to adhere.

  • I just did it over a rimmed baking sheet for easier clean up - not a must). Store in an airtight container in refrigerator (let rest at room temp until no longer cold before serving).

  • For the Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter with cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Mix in coconut extract. Add powdered sugar and whip on medium speed until smooth and fluffy.

  • Chill as needed if frosting seems runny (slightly runny is fine, once you get it frosted the coconut will help it stay in place).

Notes

  • If you like the cake a little less sweet you can use 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar. Then you can even use 2/3 the frosting amount which I've done but you'll only have a thin layer of frosting.

Nutrition Facts

Coconut Cake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 681Calories from Fat 324

% Daily Value*

Fat 36g55%

Saturated Fat 24g150%

Cholesterol 89mg30%

Sodium 190mg8%

Potassium 237mg7%

Carbohydrates 85g28%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 66g73%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 845IU17%

Vitamin C 0.7mg1%

Calcium 69mg7%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: birthday cake, coconut cake

Author: Jaclyn

Best Ever Coconut Cake Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What is the Tom Cruise coconut cake? ›

Karen Doan first created the cake when she opened Doan's Bakery in 1984. The family-owned and -operated bakery describes the Cruise Cake as a coconut bundt cake with chunks of white chocolate, covered in a layer of cream cheese frosting and a mountain of shredded coconut.

What makes a cake better? ›

Adding extra eggs when baking a cake brings out a lighter and richer flavor, making your dessert even more delicious! Baking tip #6: Adding a touch of vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon to be exact, is all it takes to make your box cake taste better, even homemade.

How do you make a cake fluffy? ›

Most cakes begin with creaming butter and sugar together. Butter is capable of holding air and the creaming process is when butter traps that air. While baking, that trapped air expands and produces a fluffy cake. No properly creamed butter = no air = no fluffiness.

How do you get coconut on the side of a cake? ›

You can use butter cream (Vanilla or any flavour really) to do this. You can also use ganache, cooking gel. Using a spatula spread your butter cream around the side of the cake and slowly sprinkle the desiccated coconut on the cake. Hope this helps.

How much is Doan's coconut cake? ›

Even if you can't drop by Doan's in Los Angeles for a white chocolate coconut bundt cake, where a whole cake retails for $55, you can also order the iconic confection for national shipping on Goldbelly. Doan estimated that the bakery ships more than 100 cakes a week at the peak of the holiday season.

How much is a coconut cake at Doan's? ›

One Guardian journalist made it his mission to receive one of these cakes. He succeeded actually snagging two and while we can't all get on Tom Cruise's cake list, you can buy it from Doan's Bakery for $50 or for $125 from Goldbelly, a delivery service for popular American foods.

What are 3 tips for better cakes? ›

Here are my top 10 Tips for Baking Perfect Cakes!
  1. Ingredients at room temperature.
  2. Use parchment paper for a clean release.
  3. Measure/weigh batter for even cake layers.
  4. Bake at a lower temperature for a longer time.
  5. Touch test instead of a toothpick.
  6. Cool the cakes completely in the pan.
Dec 11, 2023

What adds richness to cakes? ›

In addition to its delicious taste, butter adds richness and flavor to your baked goods. Different types of butter are available, but salted and unsalted butter are the two most commonly used in baking.

How do you make a cake taste like a bakery cake? ›

Step 1: Look at the directions on the cake mix. Step 2: Add one more egg (or add 2 if you want it to be very rich). Step 3: Use melted butter instead of oil and double the amount. Step 4: Instead of water, use whole milk.

Why do bakers soak cakes? ›

Let me introduce you to the cake soak.

When you do this, the cake integrates moisture and flavor, and the sweetened liquid helps preserve the cake's freshness, so a slice can taste just as delicious a couple days after baking.

Why are bakery cakes so fluffy? ›

Since we're talking about cake and not yeast bread, we'll focus on chemical leavening. The reaction of baking soda or baking powder with the liquids in the batter releases carbon dioxide, which forms air bubbles to help your cakes be light and airy.

What is the best flour for fluffy cakes? ›

Use cake flour in recipes where you want an extra-light, extra-fluffy texture, like Angel Food Cake, Cream Cheese Pound Cake, or Buttermilk-Chocolate Cake. You can also use cake flour to bring a more tender crumb to other sweets, like Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.

What is the easiest way to put coconut on a cake? ›

The easiest way I find to do this is just with my hands! Grab a palmful of shredded coconut (or whichever type of coconut you're using), and place it on the side of the cake by gently pressing your palm into the cake. It's also best if the frosting is a little soft so the coconut sticks easier.

Should you toast coconut for cake? ›

Toasted coconut maximizes the coconut flavor and can be used in any recipe that calls for coconut. I like to use toasted coconut to make scones, cookies, and even popcorn. It is also great for decorating cakes and cupcakes. Or try sprinkling toasted coconut on yogurt or ice cream as a sweet and crunchy topping!

Where does Tom Cruise get his coconut cake? ›

Have you heard about Tom Cruise's favorite cake....the one he gifts to his close friends during the holidays? The famous White Chocolate Coconut cake is sold at Doan's Bakery, a family-owned shop in California and it's been causing quite the case of the FOMOs for anyone not on Cruise's list.

Where does Tom Cruise get his coconut cake from? ›

Have you heard about Tom Cruise's favorite cake....the one he gifts to his close friends during the holidays? The famous White Chocolate Coconut cake is sold at Doan's Bakery, a family-owned shop in California and it's been causing quite the case of the FOMOs for anyone not on Cruise's list.

How much does Tom Cruise coconut cake cost? ›

Tom Cruise gifts $125 holiday coconut cake to Glen Powell: Photo.

Where does Tom Cruise get his white chocolate coconut bundt cake? ›

Have you heard about the viral Tom Cruise cake? It's a white chocolate coconut cake from Doan's Bakery – a cake so delicious, Tom apparently gifts it to all of his friends at Christmas. In fact, several of those said friends have talked about it on social media and talk shows.

What is the meaning of coconut cake? ›

Definitions of coconut cake. cake containing shredded coconut in batter and frosting. type of: cake. baked goods made from or based on a mixture of flour, sugar, eggs, and fat.

References

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