Gather ‘round, cake lovers! Today, we’re diving headfirst into the delightful world of Southern Coconut Cake, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that will make your taste buds do the happy dance. So, put on your aprons and let’s embark on this delicious journey!
Feast Your Eyes!
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of baking, let’s take a moment to appreciate this stunning cake. Just look at it!
What You’ll Need
Here’s a quick shopping list to get your kitchen stocked up. You won’t want to miss any of these ingredients for the ultimate coconut experience:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened coconut, toasted (optional for decoration)
Let’s Bake This Beauty!
With your ingredients laid out and your enthusiasm levels soaring, it’s time to get baking!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Trust me, you don’t want your delicious creation stuck to the pan!
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. It’s time to channel your inner pastry chef!
- Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Be sure to mix until just combined – no need to put your muscles to work here!
- Fold in the shredded coconut, letting the coconut take center stage in this delightful recipe.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes cool, let’s whip up that cream cheese frosting! In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar until it’s perfectly sweetened and spreadable.
- Once the cakes are cool, put one layer on your serving plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top, then place the second layer on and cover the whole cake with the remaining frosting.
- If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle toasted coconut on top for that extra flair!
And there you have it! A show-stopping Southern Coconut Cake that’s sure to impress everyone at your next gathering. Enjoy every bite, and don’t forget to share (or not, we won’t tell!). Happy baking!