Decadent coconut flakes…sweet vanilla buttercream…tart lemon curd. One slice of this Lemon Coconut Cake will whisk you away to a warm Caribbean island!
Prep Time50 minutesmins
Cook Time40 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr30 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, coconut, lemon
Servings: 12slices
Calories: 631kcal
Ingredients
For the Cake
3cupscake flour
1¾cupssugar
1Tbspbaking powder
½tspsalt
6oz.unsalted butter, softened
1large egg
4large egg whites
1cupunsweetened canned coconut milksee note
1Tbspvanilla extract
3cupsunsweetened flaked coconutdivided
For the Frosting
2cupsunsalted butter, room temperature
1Tbspvanilla extract
5cupspowdered sugar
¼cupmilk
For the Lemon Curd
½cupfresh lemon juice~3 lemons
1Tbsplemon zest~1 lemon
1/3cupsugar
3large eggs
6Tbspunsalted buttercut into pieces
Instructions
For the Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour (3) 8" round cake pans; set aside.
In the bowl of a countertop mixer, combine all of the dry ingredients (cake flour, sugar, baking powder and salt). Stir until well combined.
Add the butter, egg and egg whites; mix until well combined. (Tip: Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula occasionally to ensure batter is well mixed.)
Add half of the coconut milk to the bowl; mix until well combined. Repeat with the remaining coconut milk and the vanilla extract.
Mix for 2-3 minutes on medium speed, or until batter is fluffy and well mixed.
Divide batter evenly into (3) 8” round pans.
Bake at 350° for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Allow cakes to cool in pans and then transfer to a cooling rack until fully cooled.
For the Frosting
Using a countertop mixer, cream the butter on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla and powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition until fully absorbed.
Add the milk and mix on medium speed until well combined. (Note: If the frosting is too thick or thin, just add a bit of additional milk or powdered sugar.)
Whip the frosting for another 3-4 minutes on high speed.
For the Lemon Curd
Using a medium saucepan, whisk together the lemon juice, zest, sugar and eggs. Add the pieces of butter and place pan over medium-low heat.
Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon (~7-8 minutes).
Let cool and then refrigerate until firm.
To Decorate Cake
Place the first layer of cake on a large plate and spread a generous layer of Frosting on top. Spread ½ cup of coconut flakes evenly on top of the frosting.
Repeat with the second layer of cake, spreading another ½ cup of coconut flakes on top of the Frosting. (Tip: When frosting the inner layers, make sure to save enough Frosting to cover outer edge of cake.)
Frost outer edge of cake with the remaining Frosting. (Tip: This will get covered with flaked coconut, so it doesn’t need to look perfect!)
Gently press remaining coconut flakes into outer edge of cake.
Using an offset spatula, spread the lemon curd evenly across top of cake.
Serve cake either chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Canned coconut milk is typically found in the Asian food aisle at your local supermarket. Coconut milk tends to separate in the can, so just pour it into a small bowl and whisk together before using. Canned coconut milk is not the same as the refrigerated coconut milk you find in the dairy section of the supermarket.