Coconut Cake Food

THE BEST COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Position racks in the middle and lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter three 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment, dust with flour and tap out the excess. Set aside.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the buttermilk and cream of coconut in a small bowl. Beat the butter and 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in the vanilla and coconut extracts. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, until combined.
• Beat the egg whites and the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a large bowl with clean beaters on medium-high speed until stiff glossy peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, fold the egg whites into the batter in three batches until just combined (do not overmix). Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cakes are lightly browned and the centers spring back when lightly pressed, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool 20 minutes in the pans, then run a small knife around the edges of each cake and carefully invert onto the racks; remove the parchment and let cool completely.
• For the frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in about half of the confectioners' sugar until combined. Add the remaining confectioners' sugar, salt and vanilla and coconut extracts and beat until combined. Increase the mixer speed to medium high and continue beating, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Place one cake layer on a cake stand or platter and top with a heaping 2/3 cup frosting. Add another cake layer, more frosting and the last cake layer. Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the coconut all over the top and sides of the cake, gently pressing to adhere.

COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Cook's Note: To open a coconut: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the coconut onto a folded towel set down in a large bowl. Find the 3 eyes on 1 end of the coconut and using a nail or screwdriver and hammer or meat mallet, hammer holes into 2 of the eyes. Turn the coconut upside down over a container and drain the water from the coconut. Store the water in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Place the coconut onto a 1/2 sheet pan and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven. The coconut should have cracked in several places. Using an oyster knife or other dull blade, separate the hard shell from the brown husk. Using a serrated vegetable peeler, peel the brown husk from the coconut meat. Rinse the coconut meat under cool water and pat dry. Break the meat into 2 to 3-inch pieces. With the grater disk attached to a food processor, grate the coconut.
• For the cake:
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lightly oil 2 (9-inch) cake pans.
• Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper.
• Oil the parchment paper and then flour the pan.
• Set aside.
• Place the flour, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
• Combine the coconut milk and coconut cream in small bowl and set aside.
• Place the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer and using the paddle attachment, cream on medium speed until fluffy, approximately 1 minute. Decrease the speed to low and gradually add the sugar slowly over 1 to 2 minutes.
• Once all of the sugar has been added, stop the mixer and scrape down the sides.
• Turn the mixer back on to medium speed and continue creaming until the mixture noticeably lightens in texture and increases slightly in volume, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in the coconut extract.
• With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture alternately with the milk mixture to the butter and sugar in 3 batches, ending with the milk mixture. Do not over mix.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the batter, just until combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bang the pans on the counter top several times to remove any air and to distribute the batter evenly in the pan.
• Place in the oven on the middle rack.
• Bake for 40 minutes or until the cake is light golden in color and reaches an internal temperature of 200 degrees F.
• Cool the cake in the pans for 10 minutes then remove and transfer to a cooling rack.
• Once the cakes have cooled completely cut across the equator of each to form 4 layers.
• Place the 1/3 cup coconut water into a small spritz bottle and spray evenly onto the cut side of the 4 layers.
• If you do not have a spritz bottle you may brush the coconut water on with a silicone pastry brush.
• Allow to sit while preparing the frosting.
• Frosting:
• Bring 1 quart of water to a boil in a 4-quart saucepan over high heat. Decrease the heat to medium to maintain a steady simmer.
• In the meantime, place the egg whites, sugar, coconut water cream of tartar and salt into a medium size-mixing bowl.
• Place the bowl over the simmering water and immediately begin beating with an electric hand mixer set to low speed.
• Beat for 1 minute and then increase the speed to high and continue to beat for 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and beat in the coconut and vanilla extracts for 1 minute.
• Allow the frosting to sit for 5 minutes before using.
• Place approximately 3/4 cup of the frosting on the first layer of cake, sprinkle with 1/2 cup coconut and top with the next layer.
• Repeat until you reach the top layer.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.
• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

COCONUT CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch diameter cake pans with 2-inch high sides.
• Pour the flour, baking powder, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Use a whisk to stir together. This will get rid of any lumps and pseudo-sift the ingredients. In a separate large bowl, beat the sugar, butter and sweetened cream of coconut until fluffy and it resembles whipped cream, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir to incorporate all the ingredients. With the mixer on low speed, beat in 1/2 the dry ingredients, followed by the buttermilk, and the remaining dry ingredients, scraping down the sides in between each addition, just until blended.
• Using clean, dry beaters, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt in another clean large bowl until the egg whites are stiff but not dry. Cook's Note: You want to get the most volume from your egg whites, that's why it is essential that the beaters and bowl are clean. Just to be safe, I like to wipe the bowl out with a dash of vinegar, white or apple cider is best. The vinegar cuts through any fat in the bowl leaving only a sparkling bowl behind. And don't worry, you won't be able to taste the vinegar-I promise!
• In batches, fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, being careful not to deflate the whites. Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Spread the batter with an offset spatula to level the batter in the pan. Bake the cakes until a tester inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pans on a wire rack, about 10 minutes. Gently run a small sharp knife around the pan sides to loosen the cakes. Cook's Note: As the cakes cool they will shrink slightly, pulling away from the sides of the pan. By running the knife around the sides of the pan you are helping in the process by taking away any resistance. Turn the cakes out onto the racks and cool completely.
• With a pastry brush, gently brush any crumbs from the cooled cake layers. If the cake baked up with a slight dome in the center, you can trim it to even it out or just remember to place that cake layer dome-side down on the cake plate. Place 1 cake layer, flat-side up, on a cake plate. Spread 1 heaping cup Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting over the cake layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border of cake around the edge. This will give the filling a place to go or spread when the second cake layer is placed on top-you don't want it to bulge out the sides!
• Sprinkle 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut mix over the frosting. Top with the second cake layer, flat-side up. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. For a retro look, I like swoopy swirls. The best way to achieve it is to spread the frosting using the back of a spoon. It's that easy!
• Sprinkle the remaining coconut mix over the cake, gently pressing into the sides to adhere. Coconut Layer Cake can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the butter and beat until smooth. Add the sugar, sweetened cream of coconut, vanilla extract and pinch of sea salt and beat until well blended, scraping down the sides as needed, for about 3 more minutes. Cook's Note: For a tropical twist, I add just a splash of fresh lime juice and a dash of finely grated lime zest to the mix!

COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the cake, whip the egg whites until stiff, but not dry in an electric mixer. Set the whites aside.
• Switch to the paddle attachment. In a clean bowl cream the butter with the shortening, and sugar until fluffy. Add the yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
• Sift the flour and baking soda together. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat in the coconut and pecans. Gently fold in the whipped egg whites. Do not overmix.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake until toothpick comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Do not overbake or cake will become too dry. Remove the cakes from the oven and cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn the cakes out onto a rack. Cool completely.
• To make the frosting: Cream the cream cheese with the butter in an electric mixer. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. To achieve the spreading consistency you desire, add milk to thin, as needed. Add the vanilla and beat in 1 cup of coconut and the chopped nuts. Frost the cake and sprinkle the toasted coconut and pecans.

PAULA DEEN'S JAMIE'S COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans.
• Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed.
• Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4 inches above counter, then dropping it flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Cool in pans 5 to 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling racks. Cool completely.
• While cake is baking, prepare filling. Stir together sugar, sour cream, milk, and coconut in a bowl until well blended.
• Remove cake layers from oven and allow cake to remain in pans as you prepare to stack and fill. Remove first layer and invert onto cake plate. Using the wrong end of a wooden spoon, poke holes approximately 1-inch apart until entire cake has been poked. Spread 1/3 of filling mixture on cake layer. Top with second layer, repeat process. Top with last layer and repeat process again. (As I stack layers together I stick them with toothpicks to prevent cake from shifting).
• To prepare the frosting, place sugar, cream of tartar or corn syrup, salt, water, and egg whites in the top of a double boiler. Beat with a hand-held electric mixer for 1 minute. Place pan over boiling water, being sure that boiling water does not touch the bottom of the top pan. (If this happens, it could cause your frosting to become grainy). Beat constantly on high speed with electric mixer for 7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Frost the sides of the cake first, being careful not to get crumbs in the icing. When cake is completely covered, gently cover frosting with coconut.
• Cover loosely and refrigerate for three days (if you can stand it that long!).

COCONUT & LIME CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Butter two 20cm sandwich tins and line with non-stick baking paper. Grate the 200g block of creamed coconut and keep half of it aside. Then in a large bowl, beat all the cake ingredients (including half of the grated block of creamed coconut) together until you have a smooth, soft batter.
• Divide the mixture between the tins, smooth the surface with a spatula or the back of a spoon, then bake for about 20 mins until golden and the cake springs back when pressed. Turn onto a cooling rack and leave to cool completely.
• For the frosting, mix together the remaining creamed coconut, zest and juice of 2 limes. Microwave on High for 30 secs until the coconut melts.
• Make the buttercream by beating the butter until smooth and creamy and gradually beating in icing sugar . Then beat in the cooled coconut mix and 2-3 tbsp Malibu (optional) until it becomes marshmallowy.
• Fill the cooled sponges with a third of the frosting, cover the sides and top with the rest and coat the sides with the toasted desiccated coconut. Keep in an airtight container and eat within 2 days.

COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter and sweetened cream of coconut in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla extract. On low speed, beat in dry ingredients and then buttermilk, each just until blended.
• Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites with pinch of salt in another large bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold beaten egg whites into batter.
• Divide cake batter between prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on rack 10 minutes. Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto racks and cool completely.
• Place 1 cake layer on cake plate. Spread 1 cup Cream Cheese Frosting over cake layer. Sprinkle 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut over. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle remaining coconut over cake, gently pressing into sides to adhere. (Coconut Layer Cake can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours before serving.)

COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Grease baking tin around 18 inches and set oven to gas mark 4
• Place desiccated coconut in the milk to soak, in a separate bowl separate egg yolks and whites
• Whisk whites until soft peaks start to form
• Add sugar to egg yolks and beat well until smooth and pale then add in salt and melted butter, beat
• Stir baking powder into flour then add to yolk mixture along with the milk and coconut mixture, beat
• Fold whites into mixture and bake for around 40 minutes or until a knife can come out of the centre clean. Leave to cool in tin for around 10 mins then out of tin until completely cool
• To make butter cream add all ingredients and beat until smooth and pale, top the cooled cake with the icing and sprinkle toasted coconut on top. Slice and enjoy.

COCONUT LOAF CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease a 900g loaf tin and line with baking paper.
• Sift the flour and a pinch of salt into a mixing bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, coconut, eggs and milk and mix to a soft dropping consistency.
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the surface with a palette knife. Bake for 30 mins.
• Remove the cake from the oven and sprinkle with the extra coconut. Return the cake to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 mins, until well risen and golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool slightly in the tin, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

LEMON COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Butter a 9x13 baking pan and set aside.
• In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the coconut and egg yolks.
• Combine the baking powder and flour in a small bowl.
• Add to egg mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the milk.
• Pour into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25 minutes.
• Test with a toothpick and if done remove from oven.
• Set on a wire rack to cool.
• Combine the lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, eggs and butter in a heavy double broiler.
• Heat and stir for 5 minutes until thickened.
• Pour onto warm cake.
• Sprinkle 1/2 of the coconut on top of the filling.
• Beat the whites in a medium bowl until soft peaks form.
• Gradually beat in sugar until dissolved.
• Spread over coconut layer.
• Sprinkle second amount of coconut over top.
• Bake for 12 minutes or until the coconut and whites are lightly browned.
• Cool on the wire rack for 15 minutes.
• Place in the fridge for 1 hour or better yet all day or overnight.
• Cut when cooled.

COCONUT ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees, with rack in the lower third of oven. Sift together flour and 3/4 cup sugar 4 times.
• Beat egg whites and warm water with a mixer on low speed until foamy, about 3 minutes. Add cream of tartar, vanilla, salt, and coconut extract. Raise speed to medium, and beat until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. With machine running, add remaining 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Raise speed to high, and beat until peaks are stiff and glossy, but not dry, about 2 minutes.
• Working in 3 batches, sift flour mixture over egg-white mixture, gently folding in each addition with a rubber spatula, being careful not to deflate egg whites.
• Slowly pour batter into a 10-inch angel food cake pan. Gently run a knife through center of batter to release any air bubbles, and smooth using an offset spatula. Bake until cake is golden brown and springs back when touched, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Invert pan onto a wire rack. Let cake cool in pan, about 1 hour. Carefully run a knife around sides of cake to loosen, and turn out onto a large plate or cake stand.
• Pour coconut glaze onto cake, and spread evenly using an offset spatula to cover completely. Gently press coconut onto cake. Let stand until set, about 1 hour. Garnish with lollipops.

COCONUT PINEAPPLE CAKE

Steps:

• In large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
• Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to egg mixture alternately with pineapple.
• Stir in walnuts.
• Pour into greased 13-inch by 9-inch by 2-inch baking pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• In small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth.
• Frost cake.
• Sprinkle with coconut.
• Store in the refrigerator.

COLORED COCONUT FLAKES

Steps:

• Put the coconut in a ziploc bag.
• Dissolve a few drops of food coloring in the teaspoon of water, then pour this colored solution over the coconut in the bag.
• Seal the bag and shake until all coconut is uniformly colored.
• Tip: if you make primary colors first, you can use any leftover of that color to make a secondary color (e.g., if you have leftover yellow coconut, add red to make orange).