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.
Hi Sally,
I’m an avid reader of your website and have had so much success with your recipes!
I followed this recipe as directed and when filling by three 9 inch pans I didn’t seem to have much batter. The layers are quite thin.
Is that the intention of the recipe or is there an error on my part?
Thanks for your feedback!
Jen
Hi Jen! These are thinner cake layers. How is the texture? If the texture is fluffy and soft then you didn’t do anything wrong! You can see from the photos that much of the cake’s height comes from the layered frosting. Thank you so much for giving this cake a try!
Hi Trina,
Thank you for the quick response! The cake was amazing! So fluffy and moist! I ended up the cake 5 layers to give it the extra height I wanted. It was absolute perfection!
I’m going to make it again for Easter!
Jen
I’d love to do the bundt shape of this cake for an Easter dessert and fill the center with some fun Easter candy.
Question about the coconut milk….I used some years ago in a different recipe and when I opened the can there was separation with a solid layer on top. I thought it had spoiled. Is that the way it comes normally? I assume it is a fat? Should it be warmed to combine back into the liquid? Not quite sure how to use the product!
Can’t wait to start baking!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Robin, Yes that’s completely normal for canned coconut milk! Just shake the can up prior to opening (or mix it back together after opening). Happy baking 🙂
Can I use sweetened condensed milk instead of canned coconut milk ?
Hi Karen! Canned coconut milk is a key ingredient in this coconut cake recipe, we don’t recommend substituting it out.
The people I made this cake for will not shut up about how good it was. It’s a little involved but 100% worth it.
This is an amazing cake. I am very particular about my coconut, and usually stay away from coconut desserts. However, it was my grandmother’s birthday and she requested a coconut dessert, so I wanted to grant her wishes. As the name of this cake implies, it is truly fluffy and moist, and I loved eating it. My grandmother loved it as well she asked me for the recipe. My mom, who is the same way as me with liking coconut things, actually asked for the cake again for her birthday later that month. So I’ve already made the cake twice in a short period of time, and intend to make it again soon for Easter. I did take the suggestion to chop the coconut into smaller pieces since I do not like stringy things in my food, and it was perfect. Highly recommend this cake.
This cake is heaven! So moist and easy to follow recipe 🙂 will definitely try more of your recipes.
Is this icing firm enough for decorating a cake? I need a very smooth, stiff texture. I would eliminate the coconut to get smoother consistency.
Hi Cheryl, it depends on the level of intricacy / detail you’re looking for in your piping. Cream cheese buttercream is softer than traditional buttercream — so you may prefer to use our vanilla buttercream for decorating or see the section titled “What about the Buttercream Roses?” to see our tips on creating an even stiffer buttercream. Hope this helps!
Hi Sally,
I want to use this recipe to make a tall cake, more precisely 3 x 6inch multiply by two, so 6 layers. The cake seems like a very soft cake so I’m wondering if it’ll be sturdy enough for a tall cake.
Many thanks
Christanella
Hi Christanella, while we haven’t tested the recipe that way, I believe it should be just fine that tall. Cake dowels are always helpful for added support if you need them.
Made this cake for the first time for a get together with friends. It was wonderful. However, I think I may have done something wrong. While the cake was beautiful and moist, it crumbles when I cut it. I tried a straight edge knife and a serrated knife for cutting. I live in a high altitude and I added two extra tablespoons of cake flour. I did use three 9 inch pans and baked it for approximately 22 minutes (toothpick came out clean). Do you have any ideas as to why the cake is crumbly. Thank you for the great recipe.
Hi Dian! This is a very moist and fluffy cake. Did you refrigerate it for 20 minutes before cutting? That will help it hold its shape!
This recipe is insanely delicious. I made it for my grandfather’s birthday last weekend. He’s a man of few words, but he was sure to tell me to save this recipe to the list of favorites. He said it more than exceeded his expectations. My mom and sister kept trying to “even out” the cake after their pieces were gone, and would volunteer to clean up the crumbs on the cake platter. I’ve attempted to make cakes from scratch before, and I’ve managed to turn them into dense little bricks. But not this one. The recipe was clear and the results were fantastic!! I will DEFINITELY be making this again!
This was absolutely delicious. Not difficult to make, incredibly moist, not overly sweet, definitely coconut without being overwhelming.
Has anyone made this cake except a chocolate cake instead of a vanilla cake with the same icing? If so, please let me know how it tasted. I have been asked to make a chocolate coconut cake and I came across this recipe!
Hi Jayna, We haven’t tested this exact cake with chocolate. If you don’t wish to test anything, you could definitely add sweetened shredded coconut to this chocolate cake batter. Or, for a smaller version, you can use our coconut cupcakes batter for 3 6 inch cake pans. (Skip the caramel filling and chocolate frosting.) You can halve this frosting recipe instead. Happy baking!
I made this with a pineapple filling and cream cheese IMBC. It is sooo freakin good, I didn’t even share with my neighbours. I usually give away everything so I don’t eat it myself. Baked it on Saturday morning, it’s now Thursday night, and it’s still moist and fluffy. Definitely a winner.
Annette, I did a thin layer and dam of cream cheese IMBC, then filled with pineapple filling. I recently saw Sally’s recipe for a coconut pineapple cake…that sounds yummy too. Word of caution though, cream cheese in meringue based frosting is difficult. Apparently, you can cream a block of cream cheese and add 2 cups of SMBC. I haven’t tried this yet. If you do, I’d love to know how it turns out.
I’m so excited to find this recipe. I’m
Going to make it for my daughter and niece’s joint birthday Sunday. I couldn’t find coconut flavoring or sweetened coconut so I’m using regular shredded coconut and I’m planning to use the sweetened coconut milk instead of regular to make up for that. Do you think that’s ok?
Hi Kelly, that should be fine! The cake’s flavor may not be as strong, but the coconut should still shine through. Readers have made this cake with successful results using unsweetened coconut and without the coconut extract. We’ve never tested it with sweetened coconut milk — just be sure that it’s the canned version, not refrigerated carton coconut milk. Hope the cake is a hit!
I made this cake and sold them at Christmas time!! Everyone loves it!!
Love this cake! My boyfriend is requesting a chocolate coconut cake….Was wondering if it’s possible to make it with a chocolate batter? Can I just add some cocoa powder to this recipe or would it be better to make a chocolate cake recipe as the base?
Hi Kim, you can use our chocolate coconut cupcakes batter for 3, 6 inch cake pans (skip the caramel filling and chocolate frosting) and halve this frosting recipe instead. If you need a bigger size, you can reference our handy Cake Pan Sizes & Conversions guide to help scale it for your needs. Let us know how it turns out for you!
It is so delicious! I’ll definitely be using this recipe again. I did mess up and bought the wrong coconut milk, I got condensed, but it worked out in the end. I know when I make it again it will be even better. Gave a lot away because it’s just two people in the house and everyone texted and said it was amazing. I’m 34 weeks pregnant and was just craving coconut so this hit the spot. I had fun with frosting and cake colors to make it spring themed.
Hi,
Would this cake be OK to bake one layer at a time? If so, should I refrigerate the remaining batter while the first and second layers bake or leave it out? Thank you!
Hi Amna! Yes you can bake the layers in batches, you can leave the remaining batter at room temperature while it waits.
This is great info to know Sally. Last week I asked a question on your recipe for SMBC. I was trying to make a Pina Colada cake using someone else’s recipe. That was my 1st mistake. I’ve made your white cake several times but I didn’t know you had a recipe for a coconut cake where you actually put coconut in the batter. Now that I know you have this recipe, that I can bake 2 then 1 off I’m going to use your recipe for the cake I tried to make over the weekend. The cake I made did NOT turn out well. It was SO dense. From now on whenever I see a recipe I’m interested in making I’m heading to your site. Your white cake recipe is thee best one I’ve found to date.
P.S. I did go back to your SMBC recipe to let you/others know that it is possible to add coconut cream to taste and drained pineapple without it affecting the frosting. Bookmarking this after I hit post comment, lol….
I’ve made this in the past and it is an amazing recipe. My dad turns 89 at the end of March and has requested this cake for his birthday, but he wants a smaller cake. I have two of the Fat Daddy’s 6″ x 2″ rounds, and they would be the perfect size. Do you have a recommendation on recipe adjustments, temperature and bake time?
Hi Tina, We’re so happy you love this coconut cake! We suggest you check out this guide to cake pan sizes and conversions, it will help you determine how much batter you’ll need. The batter from these coconut cupcakes will get you much closer to the amount you need – it will make enough for a 3 layer 6 inch cake. You can reference this post on 6 inch cakes for baking time. Happy baking and happy birthday to your dad!
Made this for family and friends for the first time after saving the recipe months ago. It was ah-maaaz-ing! We live near a place that is famous for its coconut cake and this was far and away better than theirs.
I can’t wait to make this again!
I did this cake and it was a hit. I did double the recipe because of my pan size. I used a raspberry filling and it was out of this world.
This is THE BEST cake I’ve ever made in my life, and I’ve been baking for decades. So moist…so flavorful, light and fluffy. I can’t wait for tomorrow somI can have another piece. My husband loved it too, and he’s a chocoholic.
Wonderful cake! A keeper recipe! Everyone loved the texture and flavor. I stored in refrigerator for three days. When anyone wanted a piece, I would slice one, and set it for thirty minutes to loosen up. This cake is addictive. Not too sweet. Perfection. I did two layers and baked longer as per the directions. Seriously it’s amazing!
Made this cake and it came out like pound cake. Great flavor but heavier/denser than I expected.
Is it supposed to be pound cakey?
Hi Steven, this cake should be soft, not dense. It could be a few things. First, make sure your baking powder and soda are fresh. We find they lose strength after just 3-4 months. Use proper room temperature butter and other room temperature ingredients. Make sure you spoon and level the cake flour, too! Here’s a helpful post about preventing dense cake as well.
I made this cake for my Birthday and absolutely loved it! I made it exactly as the recipe called for! Thank you Sally!
Can I use a tube pan instead of a bunt pan for this cake
Hi Jenny, a 9×3 inch tube pan holds 12 cups of batter, which should work for this recipe. We’re unsure of the exact bake time, but follow the recipe notes for a Bundt pan. Enjoy!
Sally, you can bake your tail off! Idk how you got this skilled but you are fantastic. Congratulations on such a successful website.
Really moist and delicious! A big hit with my husband. I made the cake as two layers with no problems, and used a bit less frosting. I used all the ingredients recommended ( except the cake flour which I didn’t have on hand). It turned out as expected and the flavor was really nice! The recipe is a keeper.
Hi Sally! If I beat the egg whites separately with part of the sugar until medium peaks, do you think it’ll make the cake more fluffy? I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Hi Gwen! That method would take more recipe testing. We suggest sticking with the recipe as written for best results but let us know if you try anything!
I made this cake and honey, can you say magnificent!
Hi Sally,
I only have two 6 inch pans or 1 9 inch…how would I convert cooking times and recipe if I were to make 2 6 inch cakes? Thanks
Hi Sharon! We suggest you check out this guide to cake pan sizes and conversions, it will help you determine how much batter you’ll need. The batter from these coconut cupcakes will get you much close to the amount you need – it will make enough for a 3 layer 6 inch cake. You can reference this post on 6 inch cakes for baking time. Happy baking!
My all time favorite coconut cake! It’s my most requested baked good by all of my friends. So, so good! Would recommend this recipe to anyone and everyone.