Every year before my Mom moved to heaven I made her favorite Coconut cake. In total I probably made 67 of these cakes and each and every time I lit the candles and presented it to her, she would go on and on about how her daughter could make the best coconut cake in the whole world. She was the one who taught me how to make it when I was young and yet she insisted I made it better. I would light up as brightly as she did over that cake. To know my Mom thought I was the best cook was quite an accomplishment in my life. I miss making this cake for her each year... and I cry each time I make it.
Mom's Coconut Cake
1 and 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups cake flour
5 eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
4 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
♥ Buttercream Frosting:
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 box confectioners’ sugar, sifted
6 ounces sweetened shredded coconut for for topping
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line each with parchment paper. Grease paper and dust with flour.
Mix butter and sugar on medium-high speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add extracts and mix. The mixture will look a bit lumpy.
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Turn the mixer on low speed and add dry ingredients, alternating with milk, in three parts. Mix just until combined. Fold in coconut.
Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Smooth the tops of each. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until tops are browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 30 minutes. Then, remove from pans to finish cooling on wire racks.
♥ Frosting:
Using an electric mixer on low speed, combine cream cheese, butter, and extracts. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix just until smooth.
Spread frosting on first layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides. Sprinkle top and sides with coconut.
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Love this! Thank you so much for sharing! Coconut cake is also my moms favorite and I'd love to make it for her.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Can I use the regular beater attachment?
ReplyDeleteGod bless you! I needed this today. I miss my mama too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that cries when I cook special dishes! It's always bittersweet making the recipes that remind us of the people we love that have gone.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad my mother didn't live long enough to see how her cooking inspired me to become a food writer or to taste any of my creations.
On a happier note, I've been looking for a fluffy coconut cake recipe. Bookmarked for future! Thanks for sharing :)
I just happen to run across your mom's coconut cake when I was checking out the Walnut Cheescake Bars, and though I haven't made your cake. It reminded me of my Aunt Daisy homemade coconut cake that she used to make when I was a little girl and gosh that's been over 40 years ago, and just the other day I was asking my mom whom I am so blessed by her still being here on this earth. Any way I asked about that cake and could she get the recipe from my aunts surviving daughter and then I see yours and think about being so very blessed. All and all I am tryin to say that little things like this cake we so charish these sentimental moments. I am now struggling with the fact that I will soon be without my father because of his cancer and heart failing and I am tryin to hold on to all the moments we share together. I just thought I would share this with you because your recipe kind of feels like it was meant for me to see because I live in 2 homes, I stay with my parents 5 nights a week and 7 days a week, helping my daddy be as comfortable as possible, and I have a God send of a husband whom is so understanding and has been so patient through this whole ordeal......
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