Indulge in the heavenly taste of Rave Reviews Coconut Cake. This mouthwatering dessert is incredibly moist, bursting with coconut flavor, and topped with a fluffy cream cheese frosting. It's the perfect treat to sweeten up any occasion or satisfy your dessert cravings. With a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can create a show-stopping coconut cake that will receive rave reviews from everyone who tries it.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 ½ cups cream of coconut
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and coconut extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the coconut milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture.
- Fold in the sweetened shredded coconut.
- Divide the batter equally among the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To prepare the frosting, beat the cream of coconut, cream cheese, and butter together in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract, beating well after each addition, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Repeat the process with the remaining cake layers.
- Frost the sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
- Sprinkle the sweetened shredded coconut over the top and sides of the cake for garnish.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Slice and serve the Rave Reviews Coconut Cake, and enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Coconut milk is not the liquid found inside the coconut, but rather a creamy, white liquid extracted from the grated flesh of a mature coconut.
Cream of coconut is a thicker and sweeter version of coconut milk, often used as an ingredient in cocktails and desserts.
The cream cheese frosting complements the coconut flavor of the cake perfectly, adding a tangy and creamy element to each bite.
Garnishing the cake with shredded coconut adds a delightful texture and visual appeal to the finished dessert.
This cake can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. In fact, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors intensify.
Serve the Rave Reviews Coconut Cake with a cup of hot coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent treat.