Coconut Cream Cake is a classic tropical dessert: moist cake layers, creamy coconut filling, and fluffy coconut frosting. 🌴🥥
Here’s a rich, homemade version that’s easy enough for a special occasion.
🥥 Coconut Cream Cake (8–10 servings)
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp coconut extract (optional but amazing)
- 1 cup coconut milk (full fat for best flavor)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Coconut Cream Filling
- 1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Coconut Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup shredded coconut (for topping)
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy
- Add eggs one at a time
- Mix in vanilla + coconut extract
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and coconut milk + sour cream
- Divide batter between pans
- Bake 25–30 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean)
- Cool completely
2️⃣ Make the Coconut Cream Filling
- Beat cream cheese until smooth
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream to stiff peaks
- Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture
- Stir in shredded coconut
3️⃣ Assemble the Cake
- Place one cake layer on a plate
- Spread filling evenly
- Top with the second cake layer
- Frost the whole cake with coconut frosting
- Sprinkle shredded coconut on top
🥥 Coconut Frosting (Quick Version)
- Beat butter until creamy
- Add powdered sugar gradually
- Add coconut milk and vanilla until smooth
- Frost cake
🍰 Tips for Best Coconut Cake
- Use full-fat coconut milk for the richest flavor
- Toast the coconut for extra depth
- Let the cake chill 1–2 hours before slicing for cleaner cuts
- Add a layer of pineapple for a tropical twist
Want a 7-layer coconut cream cake, pina colada version, or coconut cake with a caramel twist?