Ina Garten’s Heavenly Coconut Cake Recipe: Sweet Cloud of Joy

Bakers swoon over this delectable coconut cake recipe that Ina Garten perfected with her elegance.

The layers of moist, tender cake promise a heavenly dessert experience.

Soft, delicate crumbs mingle with rich coconut flavors that dance across your palate.

Each slice tells a story of culinary precision and delightful indulgence.

Creamy frosting adds a luxurious touch that elevates this classic dessert from ordinary to extraordinary.

The aroma of toasted coconut will fill your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s whip up a slice of pure deliciousness that’s sure to impress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 12

Everything That Goes into Ina’s Famous Coconut Cake

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and helps create a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden, soft texture with perfect moisture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure, ensuring a light and fluffy cake consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds deep, warm flavor that enhances the overall sweetness of the cake.
• Almond Extract: Introduces a subtle, nutty background note that complements the coconut beautifully.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the fundamental structure of the cake with a soft, delicate texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise evenly and creates a light, airy crumb.
• Baking Soda: Assists in browning and provides additional lift to the cake.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Cream Cheese: Provides a tangy, rich base for the frosting with smooth, creamy consistency.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and creates a silky, spreadable texture.
• Shredded Coconut: Adds tropical flavor, texture, and a beautiful visual finish to the cake.
• Milk: Helps create the perfect cake moisture and binds the dry ingredients smoothly.

Mixing Bowls & More: Tools for Baking Ina’s Coconut Dream

• Electric mixer with paddle attachment: Essential for creaming butter, mixing batter, and preparing frosting.
• 9-inch round cake pans: Perfectly sized for creating two cake layers.
• Parchment paper: Helps cakes release easily and prevents sticking.
• Small bowl: Used for cracking and mixing eggs.
• Rubber spatula: Great for folding coconut into batter and scraping sides.
• Sifter: Ensures dry ingredients are well combined and lump-free.
• Knife: Helps smooth batter in pans and check cake doneness.
• Baking rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly after baking.
• Flat serving plate: Provides a beautiful surface for assembling and presenting the cake.
• Cake tester or toothpick: Checks if cake is fully baked.

Instructions for a Fluffy Coconut Cake à la Ina

• Cake Pan Preparation

Create the perfect foundation by getting your cake pans ready. Grab two round pans and lovingly coat them with grease, then line with parchment paper. Dust with a light layer of flour to ensure easy cake release.

• Butter and Sugar Magic

Transform butter and sugar into a dreamy, fluffy mixture by blending them in an electric mixer. Whip until the color turns a soft, pale yellow and the texture becomes wonderfully light.

• Egg Incorporation

Gently introduce eggs one at a time into your creamy base. Mix slowly, allowing each egg to blend smoothly. Add vanilla and almond extracts for a delightful flavor boost.

• Dry Ingredient Dance

In a separate bowl, blend your dry ingredients. Carefully combine them with the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix gently to keep the batter tender and light.

• Coconut Charm

Fold in fragrant coconut, giving the cake its signature tropical touch. Distribute evenly throughout the batter to ensure each slice has a perfect coconut surprise.

• Baking Brilliance

Pour the batter into prepared pans, smoothing the tops. Bake in the center of the oven until golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.

• Frosting Finale

Whip up a creamy frosting by blending cream cheese, butter, and extracts. Gently fold in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Generously frost between and around the cake layers.

• Coconut Coating

Complete your masterpiece by sprinkling coconut over the top and pressing it gently onto the sides. Serve at room temperature and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Toasted Tips and Creamy Variations to Try

• Enhance the cake's flavor by lightly toasting shredded coconut in a dry skillet until golden brown, adding a rich, nutty dimension to the recipe.
• Prepare the cake layers up to two days in advance, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and store at room temperature to save time on baking day.
• Brush each cake layer with simple syrup before frosting to ensure an incredibly moist and tender crumb that stays fresh longer.
• Experiment with adding a thin layer of raspberry or passion fruit jam between cake layers for a surprising tropical twist that complements the coconut beautifully.
• Use both sweetened and unsweetened coconut for visual contrast, creating a stunning textural effect on the cake's exterior that looks professionally crafted.

Serving This Coconut Beauty with Style

• Serve with Sweet Companions: Pair this luscious coconut cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert experience.
• Beverage Bliss: Complement the cake's rich flavors with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea, freshly brewed coffee, or a chilled glass of coconut milk for a tropical twist.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day in advance and store it covered at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, making your gathering even more delightful.
• Festive Garnish: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes or add fresh edible flowers on top for a stunning presentation that will impress your guests and elevate the cake's visual appeal.

Coconut Cake Storage That Keeps It Moist & Magical

• Refrigerate and Refresh: Store covered cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for 2-3 months for a delightful dessert anytime.
• Bring to Room Temperature: Remove cake from refrigerator 1-2 hours before serving to allow frosting to soften and flavors to develop fully.
• Maintain Coconut Crispness: Keep coconut topping crisp by storing cake in an airtight container, preventing moisture from making the coconut soggy.

Elegant Coconut Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s coconut cake delivers a luxurious dessert experience with pure Southern charm. Moist layers, creamy frosting, and coconut flakes create an irresistible treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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• ¾ lb (340 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups (400 g) sugar
• 5 extra-large eggs, room temperature
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• 4 oz (113 g) sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 ½ tsps pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsps pure almond extract
• 1 lb (454 g) cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ lb (227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 lb (454 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 6 oz (170 g) sweetened shredded coconut
• ¾ tsp pure vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp pure almond extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Heat oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper, ensuring smooth cake release.
2. Create Cake Base: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until fluffy and pale, then incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
3. Blend Flavor Enhancers: Introduce vanilla and almond extracts, stirring until mixture is completely integrated and smooth.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
5. Develop Batter: Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture on low speed, folding in coconut gently to maintain batter’s delicate texture.
6. Bake to Perfection: Distribute batter evenly between prepared pans, baking for 45-55 minutes until golden brown and a cake tester emerges clean.
7. Cool and Rest: Allow cakes to cool in pans for 30 minutes, then transfer to a baking rack to complete cooling process.
8. Craft Frosting: Blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and almond extract, gradually incorporating confectioners’ sugar until smooth and spreadable.
9. Assemble and Decorate: Layer cake with frosting, covering entire surface and generously sprinkling remaining coconut for a luxurious finish.
10. Serve and Enjoy: Present cake at room temperature, showcasing its rich, tropical-inspired flavor profile.

Notes

• Chill Ingredients: Bring butter, eggs, and cream cheese to room temperature 30-60 minutes before baking for smoother mixing and better texture.
• Precise Measuring: Use precise, level measurements for dry ingredients to ensure cake’s perfect rise and consistent texture.
• Avoid Overmixing: Mix batter just until ingredients combine to prevent tough, dense cake texture and maintain tenderness.
• Coconut Storage: Toast coconut briefly in oven for enhanced flavor and crispier texture before adding to cake and frosting.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 58 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg