Coconut Cake

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!

📝 Ingredients

• 3 cups (360g) cake flour
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar*
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, (at room temperature)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
• 1 1/3 cups unsweetened canned coconut milk, (well shaken, at room temperature*)
• 2 large egg yolks, (at room temperature)
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 large egg whites, (at room temperature)
• 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
• 12 oz cream cheese, (nearly at room temperature)
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, (at room temperature)
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 5 cups (590g) powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1For the cake:
2. 2Preheat 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.
3. 3Sift 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.
4. 4Add in egg yolks one at a time and mix until combined after each addition, then mix in coconut and vanilla extracts. Scrape down bowl.
5. 5Add 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.
6. 6In 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.
7. 7Using 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).
8. 8Divide 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.
9. 9Allow 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.
10. 10Frost 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.
11. 11I 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).
12. 12For the Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting:
13. 13In 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.
14. 14Chill as needed if frosting seems runny (slightly runny is fine, once you get it frosted the coconut will help it stay in place).