This perfect coconut cake sets the bar for homemade cakes everywhere. It’s supremely moist with a soft fluffy crumb and intense coconut flavor. To ensure success, follow this recipe carefully including using cake flour, egg whites, sour cream, and canned coconut milk.
At the request of many readers, let me introduce you to the best coconut cake I’ve ever had. Homemade with love for coconut lovers everywhere, this cake exceeds my expectations. Complete with silky coconut cream cheese buttercream, she’s absolutely perfect and juxtaposes bold flavor with a light crumb.
I endlessly tested this cake recipe. In fact, I’m pretty sure my head turned into an actual coconut during the process. Is there shredded coconut caked into the crevices of my kitchen floor and backsplash? Yes.
5 Reasons to Love This Coconut Cake Recipe
- Not Dry: This coconut cake is mega moist. There’s no point wasting your time (or calories!) on dry cakes.
- Intensely Flavorful: Using coconut milk, shredded coconut, and coconut extract, you are guaranteed an intensely flavorful coconut cake.
- Soft & Fluffy: By following the recipe carefully, as well as using the power ingredients described below, you are guaranteed a soft-as-silk coconut cake crumb.
- Any Shape: Use this cake batter for coconut Bundt cake, coconut cupcakes, a 2-layer cake, 3-layer cake, or a coconut sheet cake.
- Gets Along With Everyone: Use the frosting recipe below or try strawberry frosting, lemon frosting, brown butter cream cheese frosting, champagne frosting, or chocolate buttercream. Add raspberry cake filling between the layers or drizzle salted caramel on top! With so many ways to customize, this coconut cake is always a crowd-favorite when looking for Easter dessert ideas.
Coconut Cake Video Tutorial
This recipe sets the bar for homemade cakes everywhere. It’s simply exquisite and is sure to be one of your favorite spring dessert recipes and Easter brunch recipes. Talk about a show stopper!
How to Make Coconut Cake
I adapted this recipe from my favorite white cake. Its pristine crumb, fluffy texture, and stick-to-your-fork moisture guarantee cake success. In fact, I have the recipe memorized and even used it as the base of pistachio cake, cookies & cream cake, espresso cake, burnt sugar caramel cake, and strawberry cake. The recipe is cake gold and I knew it would be the perfect starting point for a fluffy and moist coconut cake.
Your coconut cake journey begins with two mixing bowls. Dry ingredients in one and wet ingredients in another (see full recipe instructions below). Combine the two in your mixer, along with coconut milk and sweetened shredded/flaked coconut. That’s it! Your coconut cake batter is ready to bake.
Creamed butter and sugar provide a solid base for this cake recipe. Use room temperature butter, and remember that room temperature is cooler than you think.
Another tip: Use all room temperature ingredients, including the eggs and sour cream. Why? Ingredients bond together very easily when they’re warmer, which creates an evenly textured baked good. Cold ingredients do not emulsify together. Period.
Use These 6 Power Ingredients
Cake is literally nothing without its ingredients and these power players are the difference between dense dry cake and light moist cake.
- Cake Flour: Cake flour produces the softest cake. If you don’t usually buy cake flour, make the exception here. It’s sold in the baking aisle with the other flours. You can use leftovers in any of these cake flour recipes. If you can’t find it, try making this cake flour substitute.
- Egg Whites: Egg yolks are wonderful for moisture, but they’re heavy and weigh down cakes. We use whole eggs in my coconut Easter cake which is much more dense, like a pound cake. To keep this coconut cake light and fluffy, use only egg whites. We’ll add the moisture back in with sour cream.
- Sour Cream: The moist maker! This cake melts in your mouth.
- Coconut Extract: I tested this recipe with and without coconut extract. We loved it both ways, but coconut extract is necessary for best coconut flavor. It’s in the baking aisle near the vanilla extract.
- Canned Coconut Milk: Canned coconut milk is a cooking ingredient, not a beverage. It’s creamier and thicker than regular milk and usually found near the Thai food products. Do not use the refrigerated coconut milk beverage that comes in a carton, because the two are very different.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut: I recommend using sweetened shredded coconut, also called sweetened flaked coconut. It’s moister than unsweetened coconut and that makes a big difference in the cake’s texture. I reduced the added sugar in the cake batter to make up for the sweetness. Sweetened coconut is sometimes sold as long skinny shreds, a size some find off-putting in cake. Therefore, I recommend pulsing them in a food processor so they’re smaller.
Coconut Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
What do you love about vanilla buttercream? It’s buttery, sweet, and smooth.
And what about cream cheese frosting? It’s creamy, silky, and tangy.
Let’s combine the two, then add coconut milk and coconut extract. It’s even creamier and silkier than the coconut frosting on these coconut chocolate Easter cupcakes so that glides onto the cake seamlessly. (Which is a happy bonus because decorating a layer cake can be quite the task. See more below.)
If you prefer a non-cream cheese option, use my vanilla buttercream instead—use canned coconut milk instead of milk and add 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract.
How to Frost a Layer Cake
Alright, let’s do this.
- Cool cakes completely. Sounds obvious, but even the tiniest bit of warmth will melt the frosting. As a result, the layer cake will slip, slide, or even cave in!
- If your cakes have a dome on top, level them off with a cake leveler or serrated knife. Flat-topped cakes ensure a straight and sturdy layer cake.
- Choose a serving plate or cake stand. Here is the cake stand I use in these pictures!
- Place the bottom layer on the cake stand. Using an icing spatula, spread 1 and 1/2 cups of frosting in an even layer on top. Bring the frosting just over the edge of the cake; this will be helpful when it’s time to frost the sides.
- Place the second layer top-side-down on top. Make sure it aligns with the bottom cake layer.
- Spread 1 and 1/2 cups frosting evenly on top, just as you did with the bottom layer.
- Place third layer top-side-up on top. Again, make sure it’s perfectly aligned.
- Divide the remaining frosting in half. (Just eyeball it.) Dollop half of the frosting on top of the cake and use an icing spatula to smooth it to the edges. Apply *some* of the remaining frosting all around the sides of the cake, then use a bench scraper to smooth it in a thin layer. Apply the rest of the frosting on the sides of the cake, then bench scrape to smooth it all out.
- Wipe any excess frosting off of the cake stand.
You can watch me decorate this coconut cake in the video tutorial above. Don’t stress; if you take your time and make sure the cake layers are totally straight, you’re all set.
But I Don’t Want to
Skip the drama and make a coconut sheet cake instead! Sheet cakes are easier to frost because they’re only one layer. See my recipe note about different size coconut cakes.
What About the Buttercream Roses?
Let’s give my assistant, Stephanie, a round of applause. This was her first time making “3D” buttercream roses and look how beautifully they turned out! She made the buttercream roses at my house and I froze them until it was time to decorate the coconut cake. She followed this video tutorial. Keep in mind that the cream cheese buttercream WILL NOT work for the intricate buttercream roses. Instead, use my vanilla buttercream and add 1 extra cup of confectioners’ sugar. You need very stiff buttercream for these roses. You also need small squares of parchment paper and:
Loosely cover the roses, then freeze or refrigerate them until ready to decorate, up to 1 week. No need to thaw prior to decorating the cake. Peel off parchment square and place the buttercream rose on the cake. If you’re traveling with the cake, I recommend securing the roses with a tiny dollop of cream cheese buttercream underneath.
Looking for something easier? Use Wilton 1M piping tip for these easy two-toned frosting buttercream roses.
More Classic Cake Recipes
Flavor is the name, moist is the game. These are some of my favorite classic cake recipes!
- Pound Cake
- Vanilla Cake
- Carrot Cake
- Red Velvet Cake
- Strawberry Cake (made from real strawberries)
- Lemon Blueberry Cake
- Chocolate Cake
Coconut Cake
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This perfect coconut cake sets the bar for homemade cakes everywhere. It’s supremely moist with a soft fluffy crumb and intense coconut flavor. For success, follow this recipe carefully including using cake flour, egg whites, sour cream, and canned coconut milk.
Ingredients
- 2 and 1/2 cups (285g) cake flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 and 2/3 cups (330g) granulated sugar
- 5 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 cup (240ml) unsweetened canned coconut milk, at room temperature*
- 1 cup (80g) sweetened shredded coconut
Coconut Cream Cheese Buttercream
- 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature*
- 5 cups (600g) confectioners’ sugar
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) canned coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (160g) sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease three 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper rounds, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans. (If it’s helpful, see this parchment paper rounds for cakes video & post.)
- Make the cake: Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the egg whites until combined, then add the sour cream, vanilla extract, and coconut extract. Beat until combined. Mixture will look curdled as a result of the varying textures and solid butter combining. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients and coconut milk. Beat on low speed until combined, then add the shredded coconut. Whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no butter lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be slightly thick.
- Pour batter evenly into cake pans. Weigh them to ensure accuracy, if desired. Bake for 21–23 minutes or until the cakes are baked through. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it’s done. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.
- Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, coconut milk, vanilla extract, coconut extract, and salt with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Add more confectioners’ sugar if frosting is too thin, more coconut milk if frosting is too thick, or an extra pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet.
- Assemble and decorate: Using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Discard (or crumble over ice cream!). Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand, cake turntable, or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with about 1 and 1/2 cups of frosting. Top with second cake layer and evenly cover the top with about 1 and 1/2 cups of frosting. Top with the third cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides. I use and recommend an icing spatula to apply the frosting and a bench scraper to smooth the sides. Sprinkle coconut on top of the cake and apply it to the sides. This can get a little messy and you can watch me do it in the video tutorial. See blog post above about buttercream rose decoration.
- Refrigerate cake for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting, though it’s still a pretty fluffy cake!
- Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: The cake layers can be baked, cooled, and covered tightly at room temperature overnight. Likewise, the frosting can be prepared, then covered and refrigerated overnight. When ready to decorate, let the frosting sit at room temperature to slightly soften for about 15 minutes, then give it one more mix with the mixer on medium speed for about 1 minute before frosting cake. Frosted cake or unfrosted cake layers can be frozen for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before decorating/serving.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 9-Inch Cake Pans | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand Mixer) | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Cake Stand or Cake Turntable | Icing Spatula | Bench Scraper | Cake Carrier (for storing)
- Cake Flour: For the best results, I strongly recommend cake flour. You can find cake flour in the baking aisle and I have many more recipes using it. If you can’t find it, try making this cake flour substitute.
- Egg Whites: Egg whites (no yolks) are KEY to the cake’s fluffy texture. For best success, I recommend using fresh eggs instead of carton egg whites. (Using an egg separator is really handy!) Here are all my recipes using leftover egg yolks. Success tip: Eggs separate much easier when they’re cold.
- Canned Coconut Milk: Canned coconut milk is a cooking ingredient, not a beverage. It is usually unsweetened, so make sure you’re using unsweetened. It’s usually found in the grocery store near the Thai food products. Do not use refrigerated carton coconut milk beverage. You need 1 cup for the cake, not the entire can. You use 2 more Tablespoons in the frosting.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut: I recommend using sweetened shredded/flaked coconut. It’s moister than unsweetened coconut and that makes a big difference in the cake’s texture. If desired, pulse the coconut shreds in a food processor to chop them up so they aren’t as long inside and outside of the cake. Chopping the coconut is optional.
- Cream Cheese: Use brick cream cheese, not cream cheese spread. If desired, you can use this vanilla buttercream instead (no cream cheese). Use canned coconut milk instead of milk and add 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract.
- 9×13-Inch Sheet Cake: Simply pour the batter into a greased and lightly floured 9×13-inch pan and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- 2-Layer Cake: Prepare two 9-inch cake pans in step 1. Divide batter between pans and bake for 24–26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Bundt Cake: This cake batter will fit into a greased 10-cup or larger Bundt pan. I’m unsure of the exact bake time (likely around an hour); use a toothpick to test for doneness. Same oven temperature.
- Cupcakes: Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 19–21 minutes. Yields about 2–3 dozen. Or try my vanilla cupcakes recipe and substitute canned coconut milk for whole milk, 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract for the vanilla bean, and add 3/4 cup (60g) of sweetened shredded coconut.
- Why is everything at room temperature? All refrigerated items should be at room temperature so the batter mixes together easily and evenly. Read more about the importance of room temperature ingredients.
Made this cake over the weekend. Like someone above I used Sally’s coconut cream pie filling between each layer. Also baked it in 3 8″ pans for 17 minutes. Turned out fantastic! Also used salted butter for the frosting and left out the salt called for in the recipe. Covered the sides with shredded coconut and the top with toasted shaved coconut pieces. Beautiful. Wish I could share the picture!
This is a great recipe, clear instructions. My daughter requested coconut cake for her birthday, so I decided on this one because all the recipes I’ve tried on your site have worked out well. I didn’t use coconut extract and we all thought it had enough coconut flavor. I used coconut sugar instead of refined. I also used unsweetened shredded coconut and it’s a good thing because it was VERY sweet! That is my only issue……..super sweet!
This was crazy good. I honestly had not seen your blog before but was looking for a coconut cake recipe and gave this a whirl. Used 2 9-inch pans – cook time was a little longer than specified but it turned out amazingly good. All my guests raved. And now that they’re gone, I can’t stop opening the container and breaking off bits to snack on.
The cake batter is divine. The best fluffiest I’ve ever tasted but the frosting is a nightmare! Super duper sweet to the point where it’s gross and inedible in order to get the correct consistency or else it does not spread right.
I too am in the pursuit of the best coconut cake recipe and tried all the ones on New York Times recipe. The batter, supreme but next time will go with a different frosting recipe.
Oh My! This cake is outstanding! I have been searching for a moist and light coconut cake recipe and had no luck until now. Truly Amazing.
Made this for my mom today. 2 layer with a dark chocolate ganache between the layers. Wasn’t sure if it would hold because it was so soft but it did. Buttercream, toasted coconut and chocolate shavings on top. Wish I could add a pic. Best coconut cake I’ve ever made or eaten!
Sally, I made this cake for Mother’s Day today. The whole family raved about it – I’m currently cleaning up the crumbs as we speak!
This recipe is perfection Sally! My hunt for the perfect coconut cake is finally over.
I made your 6 inch cake into a semi-naked cake for the first time flavoured with this coconut cake (baked for 20 minutes 2 layers) adding in raspberries and raspberry jam to the filling making a cake dam (like you did with your blackberry lavender cake) and topped with toasted coconut…it tastes amazing and I was happy to have a bunch of ideas in one blog place. Thanks Sally!!
As usual, your cakes come out wonderfully! Best coconut cupcakes ever, your recipe made 26 cupcakes with plenty of frosting. Your recipes seem to be my go to when I’m looking to wow my family and friends! Thanks!
I made this cake to celebrate mother’s day early and my whole family rated this recipe 5 stars!! I made it as a 2 layer cake and it came out so light and fluffy and great coconut flavor. My husband said a layer of raspberry would have been so yummy in the middle too since I decorated the top with raspberries. Next time!! Thanks for a wonderful recipe, Sally!
Sally, this cake is outstanding! I used the coconut cake layers for a coconut cream pie cake I was making as a dessert to bring along to dinner at a friend’s house. Everybody loved it, and it received rave reviews! I piped a whipped cream border around the edge of the cake layers before filling with your coconut cream pie custard. I frosted the whole cake with coconut whipped cream, and garnished with shredded coconut. It looked and tasted amazing, and I can’t wait to make this cake again! Great recipe! 🙂
I just made this cake last weekend and it was so delicious and coconutty! It’s the birthday cake I will be requesting from now on!! I couldn’t decide whether to cover the cake with sweetened shredded coconuts or toasted coconuts so I covered one half with shredded coconuts (as per the recipe) and one half with toasted coconuts and I liked the sweetened shredded coconut side better – it had a stronger coconut flavour (I thought the opposite would be true) and it look prettier too. Thanks for sharing this recipe Sally. It’s a keeper
This was my first time making a layered cake and this recipe is phenomenal!
It was well received by everyone and they asked for some to take home.
Chocked full of flavour!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
This is another of your recipes that will be my go-to. This cake is so moist, and the frosting so creamy!!! I only made it a 2 layer, maybe next time I’ll do 3 layers. The only thing I did different is add an extra teaspoon of coconut extract. The extract I use is from spiceetc.com. I think it’s the best, it doesn’t taste like suntan lotion. The other coconut recipe I’ve made is from America’s test kitchen, and it was good, but a little dry and the frosting not as creamy. I thought by this recipe not having any yolks, might also be a little dry, but the sour cream did the trick. Also your Red Velvet Cake recipe is AWESOME!!!! It’s The best I’ve had, it even beats Cakeman Raven’s, which is very hard to do. Thank you for your wonderful recipes!!!!!!
Al G.
In my haste to ask my question about freezing the frosting, I forgot to tell you how absolutely AMAZING this recipe is, and the frosting is sooooo good. My husband, who doens’t usually eat frosted cupcakes loved these, as did our extended family members. It’s defintely another SBA keeper!
Holy sh!t. This cake was perfect. Was going to buy wegmans coconut cake, as I usually do every Easter, but gave it a try on my own this year….and SO glad I did. Had fun making it with my daughters and all my Easter guests LOVED it. A win win! Absolutely delicious flavors, texture, frosting, etc. FYI I made in Bundt pan at 350 and time was more like 46-48 minutes, not 60 minutes.
I made this cake yesterday for the Easter dinner at church. It was wonderful! Best coconut cake that I have ever eaten. It should be called “Heaven on a Plate.”
Made this for a friend. Not a big fan of coconut, but just had to try this. So good. Moist. Not too sweet, to include the cream cheese frosting. Thanks for a great recipe, Sally.
This cake is UNBELIEVABLE! So so so delicious. Everyone loved it!
Delicious coconut cake. Fairly easy. The layers baked perfectly with no hump in the middle. I did use about 1 2/3 cup more of powdered sugar. Maybe my butter was too soft. It came out fine and looks beautiful. I will definitely make it again.
Can I give this recipe SIX stars?! The cake was flavorful and light as air. I paired it with homemade pineapple curd between the layers and covered it with coconut buttercream and sweetened coconut flakes. Perfection!
This is an amazing cake! Made it tonight 🙂 Buttery, moist, and so coconut rich!
Was out of cream cheese so just made a coconut buttercream icing instead.
This recipe is a keeper!
I just made this cake and could hardly wait the recommended 20 minutes in the fridge before having a piece:)
This cake is to-die-for and every bit as moist, fluffy, and “coconutty” as promised! I baked it in a 9×13 inch pan (always my preference) and made half the frosting recipe. If was perfection.
I am so glad I decided to jump in and try some of your recipes, Sally. As of today, my Easter dessert menu is going to contain your classic cheesecake and hummingbird cake. I feel confident in trying your versions of these two cakes because you are a wonderful baker who is happy to share the love
Forgot to leave a review earlier BUT I made this recipe the same day it was posted and WOW it did not disappoint!!! I used the bundt cake option and it baked through in about 45-50mins. Came out soooo soft and buttery and fluffy and coconutty lol. My boyfriend loved it also. I skipped frosting and only did 1 scant cup of sugar and the sweetness was still perfect for us. Will make this over and over again. Sally your recipes are always my go to when I want a homemade sweet treat!
Forgot to add that I didn’t have cake flour but followed Sally’s tips for making your own with cornstarch and it worked perfectly. Also omitted the coconut extract since I didn’t have any and just added a bit more vanilla. Wonderful. Thanks so much for such clear directions every time.
It really is fluffy. I can’t believe I baked it. Neither can my family. I was afraid of coconut extract so I omitted. I like a cream cheese frosting with less butter, so I adjusted that. But the cake! Next time I’ll bake 2 layers instead of 3 and frost the tops only so that the cake is the star.
I made this for a friend’s birthday. She loves coconut cake. Out of this world. And not at all difficult to make. I will definitely be making this again!!
I thought I had a good coconut cake recipe, but this one is BETTER!! The coconut milk helps boost the coconut flavor withoug adding too coconut extract, which can give a suntan oily, artificial flavor. I do admit to doubling the amount of shredded coconut in the batter–I love the chewiness it gives! The recipe made 30 lovely cupcakes, a number of which disappeared before they could be frosted! This is a keeper and these cupcakes will be on the dessert table at my son’s upcoming graduation party (along with a number of Sally’s other cake flavors!) Thanks Sally!
I made this coconut cake yesterday. It is fabulous!
Will be making this in the next couple of weeks, but, not sure if my local store[s] have coconut extract. Other than special ordering from someplace on line, is there a sub for the extract? Thanks.
Hi Sheila! Use a little more vanilla in its place or you can even try almond extract, which pairs wonderfully with the vanilla and other coconut flavors.
Made it today and just ate it! Delicious as usual! Your recipes are the best. I have another coconut cake recipe that is good but can be dry. Yours was perfect. I toasted the coconut to sprinkle on top. Tomorrow -lemon bars!! Busy baking weekend:)
Easter planned thanks to you, Sally! This looks fabulous and if it’s anything like your other cakes it will be 5 Star.
As a Pina Colada fan, I’m thinking pineapple filling and brushing the cakes with a little rum. I’ll let you know how it goes, lol!