This vintage southern coconut cake recipe is a luscious sweet treat for any gathering. It performs like a star as the cake for birthdays or special occasions, and shines for coffee and cake between friends.
Coconut Cake
Coconut Cake Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Directions for cake:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the shortening and sugar, beating well at medium speed of electric mixer.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Beginning and ending with dry ingredients, add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with milk and vanilla and almond extracts.
6. Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-inch pans.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to finish cooling.
Coconut Cake Frosting Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
8 egg whites, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups flaked coconut (or more according to your preference)
Coconut Cake Frosting Directions:
1. Combine sugar, cream of tartar, salt and water in heavy saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is clear. Without stirring, continue cooking until mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer (soft ball stage).
3. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Let mixer continue to run and slowly pour the hot sugar mixture in a thin stream down the side of the mixer bowl Don't let the sugar mixture come into contact with the beaters.
4. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. Continue beating until stiff peaks form and frosting thickens to desired consistency.
Assembling the Coconut Cake
1. Level each layer by carefully slicing off with a serrated-edge knife any high spots. If your layers are fairly level, you can skip this step. (Slicing is easier if layers are placed in the freezer for an hour or so).
2. Remove any crumbs from the layers.
3. Center one layer, upside down, on the serving platter. Tuck waxed paper strips under the cake to protect platter from frosting. These will be removed later.
4. Spread the first layer with frosting.
5. Place the second layer, upside down, on the first layer.
6. Spread the second layer with frosting.
7. Place the third layer, right side up, on the second layer.
8. Frost the sides of the cake liberally. Spread remaining frosting on top of cake, making sure cake is uniformly covered.
9. Keep a glass of hot water on hand and dip spatula into it to ease spreading the frosting. (You may not need it.)
10. Sprinkle top of cake with coconut. Lightly press coconut to sides of cake so that it adheres.
11. Remove waxed paper strips.
Other Delicious Cakes to Try
Once you've given this coconut cake recipe a go, try out these other delicious cakes you and your family will love:
- Punschkrapfen. This is an Austrian sponge cake filled with nougat and jam. The cake is soaked in rum before being covered with a rum sugar glaze and chocolate. Sometimes, a cocktail cherry is used instead of chocolate. There's a lot going on with this cake, but it's delicious!
- Princess cake. This cake has many layers that alternate between sponge cake and whipped cream. The top of the cake has a layer of raspberries, followed by a layer of custard. Finally, a layer of marzipan is laid over top the cake. This is a great cake choice for summer!
- Orange creamsicle cake. This is a delicious cake flavored with orange and vanilla. It's the perfect cake for summertime. If you want to try to imitate another creamsicle flavor, you can always swap the orange flavor out for something else, like raspberry or strawberry.
- Opera cake. A cake with alternating layers of ganache and sponge cake that's been soaked in coffee syrup. This is a decadent cake that's great for dinner parties or a dessert after seeing a show.
- Funfetti. This one is a fun cake for kids! It's a vanilla cake with colored sprinkles inside. The colored sprinkles give the cake a pop of color that kids love. Frost with Funfetti frosting to keep the theme going, or just use vanilla frosting.
- Mango cake. This cake is topped with mango-flavored frosting and mango slices. It originates from the Philippines. It's a perfect tropical cake for summer or for a tropical-themed party. Serve this after a cookout or barbecue.
- Marble cake. Can't pick between vanilla or chocolate cake? Try a marble cake! This cake swirls these two flavors together to make a sweet and delicious cake. It's simple to make and popular with so many people. Frost with chocolate frosting to make it a perfect dessert.
- Joffre cake. Originating from Romania, this is a chocolate buttermilk cake filled with chocolate ganache. It's perfect for the sweet teeth in your family, and can act as a more decadent version of a traditional chocolate cake.