Light moist homemade coconut cake that’s made completely from scratch!
Since it’s the holiday season I find myself baking a lot of cakes. You know the usual holiday favorites like German chocolate cake, and my personal favorite, coconut cake! A few years ago I shared a recipe for moist coconut cake, but since then I’ve revised my coconut cake recipe and it’s even better!
This easy coconut cake is made from scratch. I don’t use any cake mix. I simply use cake flour, unsalted butter, granulate sugar, and get this- NO baking soda, nor baking powder!
I like my coconut pound cake to be pure white, so instead of using whole eggs, I only use egg whites. I also use clear vanilla extract & clear coconut extract.
 I use my nonstick tube pans. I don’t grease or flour them. If you want to grease and flour your cake pans, you can. If you’re not using nonstick cake pans, DEFINITELY grease and flour those pans y’all!
This cake always comes out super moist! It’s a family favorite in my household!
Save & Share this coconut cake recipe on Pinterest!
Check out my video tutorial for this coconut cake!
Coconut Cake Made from Scratch
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cup cake flour
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
- 3/4 cup half & half
- 7 large egg whites
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 tsp coconut extract
Coconut Icing
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 3 tbsp half & half
- 1 tsp coconut extract
Optional
- 1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 F.
- In a large bowl toss in the butter flavored shortening, unsalted butter, and granulated sugar.
- Cream the ingredients together, then add in the egg whites. Also add in the vanilla, and coconut extract.
- Once everything is well mixed, alternate adding in the cake flour and half & half.
- Once the cake batter is nice and smooth, pour it into a nonstick tube or bundt pan (if you don't have a nonstick cake pan, be sure to grease and flour it prior to adding in the cake batter.)
- Put the cake in the oven, and let bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes (or until done).
- Remove the cake from the oven, and let cool in the cake pan for 10 minutes.
- Remove the cake from the cake pan, and place on a cooling rack.
- Combine all of the icing ingredients in a medium sized bowl, and mix until it's nice and creamy.
- Once the cake is cool, place it on a cake stand and ice the cake.
- Sprinkle the shredded coconut on top of the cake.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Looks decadent and the crumb looks perfect. Thanks for sharing Rosie. Happy Holidays!
CAN I USE THE EGGS WITH YOKE WILL IT ALTER THE RECIEP?
For best results, follow the recipe listed 🙂
I’m not a baker, but do I need to sift the flour
Yes, be sure to sift the flour 😉
Hi Rosie,
Is this like a pound cake? I didn’t see any baking powder or soda.
There is no baking soda nor powder used. It’s like a super moist pound cake.
I am just learning to bake and I always have a hard time separating the egg whites. Can I use egg beater eggs whites instead of actually separating the eggs myself?
sure. 🙂
After falling in love with your lemon pound cake I had to try this one too. I was not disappointed! So moist and delicious! We have been eating it slowly trying to make it last. Thank you for another great cake recipe.
Thanks so much for trying Sonia!
I’ve called every grocery store here in Portland and not one sells fresh frozen coconut. Any advice, tips or substitute for fresh coconut? Would dry coconut still taste as good?
Frozen coconut was not used in this recipe.
I LOVE coconut! Can you put coconut in the cake (batter) itself or will it mess up the cake? A sprinkle of coconut on the top just doesn’t seem like it would be enough for me! 🙂
Sure, you can try that.
life changing!!!!
this is the best cake i have EVER tasted- let alone make! this will be my go-to from now on. thank you Rosie!!!