Coconut Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cream of coconut
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk (lite or regular)
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup salted butter (softened at room temperature)
• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream (optional)
• 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Cake Instructions ---

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray three 8” round cake pans with non-stick baking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

3. 3

   In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add one egg at a time, beating well after each addition.

4. 4

   Add vanilla extract, coconut extract, and cream of coconut and beat well.

5. 5

   In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

6. 6

   Rotate between adding the coconut milk and the flour mixture to the cake batter, mixing only enough to combine the ingredients.

7. 7

   Fold 1 cup of shredded coconut into the batter.

8. 8

   Divide the batter between the three prepared cake pans.

9. 9

   Bake for 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs.

10. 10

    Cool cakes on a cooling rack for 10-15 minutes, then turn out from the pans and cool the rest of the way.

11. 11

    --- To Make the Frosting ---

12. 12

    Cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.

13. 13

    Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and beat to combine.

14. 14

    Add in vanilla extract and heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.

15. 15

    Assemble the cake by spreading about 1⁄2 cup of frosting on top of each cake layer. Top with the next layer, etc.

16. 16

    Spread the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle coconut over the top of the cake. Pat handfuls of coconut onto the sides of the cake to cover the cake completely.