Apr 1

Apr 1 NANA JEANNE’S COCONUT CAKE

Growing up, my grandmother Nana Jeanne would bake her famous coconut cake for my dad’s birthday. Layers of sweet cream filling and flaked coconut create a soft and fluffy cloud-like bite. And it wouldn’t be Nana’s coconut cake without colorful jellybeans on top, offering the perfect finishing touch to this truly delicious and irresistible springtime treat.

COCONUT CAKE

This recipe originates from brilliant baking site, Sally’s Baking Addiction. Her recipe is technically perfect and the closest I have found to my grandmother’s famous coconut taste. A must try Easter recipe!

INGREDIENTS

2 ½ cups sifted cake flour (spoon & leveled)
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
¾ cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 ⅔ cups granulated sugar
5 large egg whites, at room temperature
½ cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 cup canned coconut milk, at room temperature
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Assortment of colorful jellybeans for decoration

COCONUT CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM

1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 eight oz. block full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
5 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons canned coconut milk
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon coconut extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease three 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.
Make the cake: Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the egg whites until combined, then add the sour cream, vanilla extract, and coconut extract. Beat until combined. Mixture will look curdled as a result of the varying textures and solid butter combining. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients and coconut milk. Beat on low speed until combined, then add the shredded coconut. Whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no butter lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be slightly thick.
Pour batter evenly into cake pans. Bake for around 21-23 minutes or until the cakes are baked through. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it’s done. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.
Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, coconut milk, vanilla extract, coconut extract, and salt with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Add more confectioners’ sugar if frosting is too thin, more coconut milk if frosting is too thick, or an extra pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet.
Assemble and decorate: Using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. (Discard). Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand, cake turntable, or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with about 1½ cups of frosting. Top with 2nd cake layer and evenly cover the top with about 1½ cups of frosting. Top with the third cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides. Sprinkle coconut on top of the cake and apply it to the sides. Decorate the top of the cake with colorful jellybeans (we like to rim the cake in a line of jellybeans all the way around the cake).
Refrigerate cake for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.
Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.