Decadent Paula Deen Coconut Cake Recipe for Celebrations

Indulge in a coconut cake that whispers tropical dreams and transforms ordinary moments into sweet celebrations.

Creamy, luscious layers promise a culinary adventure that dances on your palate.

Soft, pillowy textures embrace rich coconut essence with every delectable bite.

This heavenly dessert weaves Southern charm and island inspiration into a single, magnificent creation.

Delicate crumbs melt effortlessly, revealing a symphony of flavors that enchant from first glance.

Crafting this cake requires passion but demands little skill, making it accessible to baking enthusiasts and novices alike.

Check out this recipe and let each slice transport you to a world of pure, sugary bliss.

Serving Guide for Paula Deen’s Coconut Cake

• Serve with Tropical Flair: Garnish each slice with fresh pineapple chunks or mango slices to enhance the coconut flavor and add a vibrant tropical touch.
• Create Beverage Pairing: Complement the cake with a chilled piña colada or coconut mojito for a refreshing and matching drink experience.
• Elevate Dessert Presentation: Add a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes around the cake plate or create a decorative coconut rim for an elegant and inviting display.
• Enjoy Seasonal Celebration: Perfect for summer gatherings, beach-themed parties, or as a delightful dessert at tropical-inspired events.

How to Store Coconut Cake for Later Enjoyment

• Preserve Freshness: Store cake covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or place in airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Slice and Freeze: Cut individual cake portions, wrap securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen slices stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Temperature Control: Remove cake from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to soften frosting and enhance flavor profile. Room temperature ensures optimal taste and texture experience.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers up to 2 days in advance. Keep wrapped in plastic at room temperature. Frosting and filling can be made 1 day prior and refrigerated until assembly time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 614 kcal

Servings: 11

All About the Ingredients in Paula Deen’s Coconut Cake

• Butter: Look for high-quality unsalted butter with rich, creamy texture.
• Sugar: Choose fine granulated sugar for smooth blending.
• Eggs: Select fresh, room temperature eggs for better integration.
• Flour: Use cake flour for lighter, more delicate cake texture.
• Coconut Milk: Pick full-fat, smooth coconut milk for deeper flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract with robust aroma.

• Sour Cream, Whole Milk: Select full-fat dairy for creamy, rich consistency.
• Cream Cheese: Choose soft, smooth cream cheese at room temperature.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Ensure fine, lump-free powdered sugar.
• Sweetened Cream of Coconut: Pick premium brand with authentic coconut flavor.
• Sweetened Coconut Flakes: Select fresh, moist coconut flakes for topping.

• Butter (For Greasing): Use soft, unsalted butter for even pan coating.
• Flour (For Dusting): Select all-purpose flour for preventing cake sticking.

Kitchen Tools to Bake Paula Deen’s Coconut Cake

• Stand mixer with paddle attachment: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• 3 round cake pans (9-inch/23 cm): Perfect for creating even cake layers.
• Skewer or toothpick: Helps test cake doneness and create filling holes.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake layers to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for preparing filling and additional ingredients.
• Spatula: Helps spread filling and frosting evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Whisk or electric hand mixer: Useful for blending filling and frosting ingredients.
• Serving plate: Provides a beautiful presentation for the finished cake.

Instructions for Coconut Cake

Unleash Tropical Coconut Cake Magic

• Prep Your Baking Arena

Warm up your oven and get those cake pans ready. Generously coat the pans with butter and a light dusting of flour to ensure your cake slides out perfectly.

• Whip Up Silky Batter

In a mixer, transform butter and sugar into a cloud-like mixture. Gently fold in eggs one by one, creating a smooth, dreamy base that’s light as air. The key is patience – let each ingredient blend seamlessly.

• Combine Cake Components

Slowly incorporate flour and coconut milk, alternating between the two. A splash of vanilla will elevate the entire flavor profile. Mix with love and care, ensuring everything comes together harmoniously.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into prepared pans, spreading evenly. Slide into the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick emerges clean. Allow cakes to cool briefly before transferring to a wire rack.

• Create Luscious Filling

Craft a decadent filling by blending creamy ingredients. The goal is a smooth, rich mixture that will seep into the cake layers, adding moisture and intense flavor.

• Craft Dreamy Frosting

Whip cream cheese and butter into a silky submission. Gradually introduce powdered sugar and a splash of coconut cream. The frosting should be smooth, spreadable, and utterly irresistible.

• Assemble Tropical Masterpiece

Gently pierce cake layers to help filling penetrate. Layer each section with the creamy mixture, allowing flavors to meld. Stack carefully, ensuring even distribution.

• Final Flourish

Coat the entire cake with the cloudlike frosting. Use smooth, sweeping motions to create a flawless finish. Sprinkle a generous shower of coconut flakes across the surface for a stunning tropical touch.

Tips and Tropical Twists for Coconut Cake

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Swap regular milk for coconut water to amplify tropical notes and create deeper coconut essence throughout the cake.
• Create Texture Variations: Toast coconut flakes before sprinkling for a delightful crunch and enhanced nutty undertones that elevate the cake's overall sensory experience.
• Experiment with Liqueur Twist: Drizzle a small amount of rum or coconut liqueur over cake layers before filling to introduce sophisticated adult flavor complexity.
• Perfect Storage Strategy: Store cake covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify with gentle chilling.

Heavenly Paula Deen Coconut Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Southern hospitality shines through this Paula Deen coconut cake, blending creamy textures and sweet coconut flavors. Rich buttermilk layers draped with silky frosting invite you to savor classic Southern comfort.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 4 large eggs
• 2 (8 oz/226 g) packages cream cheese
• 1 ½ cups (3 sticks/340 g) butter, divided
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• ¼ cup whole milk
• ½ cup sweetened cream of coconut
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• ¾ cup sugar (for filling)
• ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
• Additional sweetened coconut flakes (for sprinkling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Baking Environment: Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F and grease three 9-inch round cake pans with butter, dusting lightly with flour.
2. Create Cake Base: In a stand mixer, cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, approximately 7 minutes. Gradually incorporate whole eggs, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
3. Blend Batter: Alternately fold dry flour ingredients and coconut milk into the mixture, starting and ending with flour to maintain a smooth consistency. Stir in vanilla extract to enhance aromatic profile.
4. Bake Cake Layers: Distribute batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 25 minutes, testing doneness with a skewer that should emerge clean. Rest layers in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
5. Prepare Filling: Whisk sour cream, granulated sugar, whole milk, and sweetened coconut flakes until thoroughly combined. Using a skewer, create multiple small holes throughout each cooled cake layer to enhance moisture absorption.
6. Craft Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually fold in confectioners’ sugar, sweetened cream of coconut, and vanilla extract to create a light, fluffy mixture.
7. Assemble Cake: Position first layer on serving plate, spread one-third of filling, allowing it to seep into perforated surface. Repeat with subsequent layers. Apply frosting evenly across top and sides of cake.
8. Finish and Garnish: Sprinkle additional sweetened coconut flakes over cake’s exterior for a decorative and textural final touch.

Notes

• Precise Mixing Technique: Cream butter and sugar for exactly 7 minutes to achieve a light, airy texture that guarantees cake softness.
• Temperature Control: Allow ingredients to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth batter integration and consistent cake structure.
• Moisture Enhancement: Pierce cake layers with a skewer before adding filling, enabling better absorption and creating a more succulent dessert.
• Coconut Flake Decoration: Toast coconut flakes lightly before garnishing to intensify flavor and add a subtle golden crunch to the cake’s exterior.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 614
• Sugar: 69 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 144 mg