2024's Best Coconut Cake Recipe: Moist and Fluffy
This best coconut cake recipe is a delightful treat loved by many for its moist, amazing coconut flavor, and fluffy texture. It's the best you'll ever make!
Ingredients
For Coconut Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened, based on preference
For the Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons coconut milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded coconut for topping
Instructions
For Coconut Cake
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on high speed for 2 minutes until light and creamy. Add the granulated sugar and continue to mix on medium-high for another 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the coconut milk. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in Shredded Coconut: Fold in the shredded coconut until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Divide and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
- Prepare Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with an electric mixer or a stand mixer until creamy and smooth.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and continue to beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Adjust Consistency: Add 2-3 tablespoons of coconut milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Beat until well combined.
Assemble the Best Coconut Cake
- Prepare Cake Layers: Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
- Frost First Layer: Spread a layer of frosting over the top of the cake layer.
- Add Second Layer: Place the second cake layer on top of the frosted first layer.
- Frost Top and Sides: Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
- Decorate: Sprinkle shredded coconut over the top and sides of the frosted cake.
- Serve: Serve and enjoy your delicious Coconut Cake.