Coconut Dream Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) water 1/2 cup (120ml) water
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (50g) powdered sugar 1/4 cup (50g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) coconut milk 1/4 cup (60ml) coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
• 1 cup (80g) toasted coconut flakes, for garnish 1 cup (80g) toasted coconut flakes, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 480 kcal / 2010 kJ
• Fat: 28g (Saturated Fat: 18g)
• Carbohydrates: 57g (Sugar: 40g)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. 2.
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. 3.
   In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. 4.
   Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, combine the coconut milk, water, and coconut extract.
6. 6.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the coconut milk mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
7. 7.
   Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
8. 8.
   Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
9. 9.
   Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. 10.
    In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
11. 11.
    In another bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, coconut milk, and coconut extract, beating until smooth and fluffy.
12. 12.
    Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of the coconut cream filling over the top.
13. 13.
    Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the coconut buttercream.
14. 14.
    Garnish with toasted coconut flakes, pressing them gently onto the sides of the cake.
15. 15.
    Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Coconut milk — Shake the can of coconut milk well before using to ensure the cream and liquid are well combined.
• Toasted coconut flakes — To toast the coconut flakes, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of coconut flavor, brush the cooled cake layers with a simple syrup made from equal parts sugar and coconut milk before assembling.
• If you prefer a lighter frosting, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the buttercream.
• To make the cake more visually appealing, you can add a thin layer of coconut cream filling between each cake layer.
• If you don't have coconut extract, you can substitute it with vanilla extract in the cake batter and frosting.
• To make the cake ahead of time, you can bake the cake layers in advance and freeze them. Thaw them before assembling and frosting the cake.

Serving advice

Serve the Coconut Dream Cake at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coconut-flavored coffee or a glass of cold coconut milk.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Coconut Dream Cake, sprinkle some additional toasted coconut flakes on top of the frosted cake. You can also decorate the cake with edible flowers or fresh tropical fruits like sliced mangoes or pineapple chunks.