Easy Creamy Coconut Cake

Dear Reader,

I’m not the most patient person and for this reason, when I bake, I like to keep things simple. So, when I come across recipes, I often make adjustments that will cut down on the number of ingredients or reduce the prep time.

Recently, I came across a coconut cake recipe that looked absolutely scrumptious. In my modifications, I have decided to literally cut the cake in half (opting to make a sing layer, rather than a double layer cake) and make a few key ingredient substitutions.

Prep time: ~30 mins; Cook Time: 40 – 50 mins

INGREDIENTS

Cake

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • I used a mix of all-purpose and wheat flour … I don’t think that this was an actual improvement to be honest
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup milk (preferably full fat)
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut

Frosting

• 4 oz. softened cream cheese
• 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 1/2 tablespoon coconut milk
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened works fine)

INSTRUCTIONS

Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Grease an 8” or 9” round pan (both work, the batter will just rise higher in the 8” pan)
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the butter, honey, and sugar until creamy (2 – 3 mins with a hand mixer)
4. In the same bowl, mix in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and milk until combined
5. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt
6. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the large bowl with the wet ones and mix until combined
7. Fold in the shredded coconut until combined
8. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40 – 50 mins until the batter is a medium brown (use the toothpick test — stick a toothpick in the middle and if it comes out clean, it’s ready!)
9. Remove and cool on rack

Frosting

1. In a large bowl, add cream cheese, butter, and coconut milk. Beat together with a hand mixer
2. Slowly add in powdered sugar until creamy (you may need slightly more or less depending on the consistency that you desire)
3. Once the cake is cooled, add frosting on top and around the cake with a knife
4. Marvel at and enjoy your creation 🙂

Love,

Raven