Coconut Cream Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist layer cake covered in a delicious coconut frosting. If you are looking for a homemade cake to impress with then look no further!

I originally published this recipe in 2014 and have since added new photos and more helpful information.

Coconut Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

I’m so excited to share this Coconut Cream Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting! This cake is what coconut-loving dreams are made of, and it’s famous at our house. My kids ask for it for their birthdays, and it’s always served at Easter and Christmas time. It’s by far the best scratch cake I have ever made. The flavor of coconut is utter perfection, and it is so moist and amazing. Seriously, you all need to make this!

The cake is soaked in coconut milk that transforms an ordinary cake into something amazingly decadent. Please don’t get worried about the soggy factor – this cake is far from soggy. It is so moist and filled with coconut flavor that you’ll possibly shed a happy tear as you take every bite. 😉

Cake Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

1 cup salted butter, softened
1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut milk, divided
4 large eggs
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients

1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon coconut extract

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup salted butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon coconut extract
5 cups powdered sugar
Milk, as needed

Instructions

Coconut Cake

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. (That low temperature is correct.) Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. (I also put parchment paper in the bottom of pans and then grease again.)

Separate eggs whites from yolks. Set aside whites in a medium bowl.

In a large bowl, add the butter, granulated sugar, 1 cup of the coconut milk, and the egg yolks. Using a hand mixer, on medium speed, beat just until fluffy and combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Slowly add dry ingredients into the wet, with mixer on low speed, alternating with the buttermilk/ coconut extract mixture.

In the bowl of egg whites, add a pinch of salt and beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter until just combined. Divide batter evenly among the two cake pans. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack.

Poke holes all over top of cakes (making sure not to poke all the way through.) Drizzle the remaining 1/2 cup of coconut milk onto both cakes.

Let cakes cool completely before frosting. (After my cakes were cooled, I wrapped them in saran wrap and then put them in the fridge overnight, so they would be easy to frost the next day.)

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

In a medium bowl, add butter, cream cheese and coconut extract. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat together until combined and fluffy. Slowly add in the powdered sugar until frosting reaches your desired consistency. You may need to add a little milk.

Place one cake onto a cake platter or plate. Frost the top of that cake with frosting. Place the second cake on top and frost top and sides of the cake. Grab handfuls of *toasted coconut and gently press onto the sides and top of cake. Enjoy! (Keep leftover cake covered and refrigerated.)

*Toasted Coconut Topping: Place 2 cups of sweetened, shredded coconut onto an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes in a 325-degree F. oven. Some pieces will be browned and others white and soft. Let cool before covering on cake.

STORING INSTRUCTIONS

This beautiful Coconut Cream Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting must be stored in the fridge because of the cream cheese in the frosting. Cover well and store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

ENJOY THIS RECIPE? HERE IS A FEW MORE SENSATIONAL CAKES!

Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake – A soft white cake topped with cream cheese frosting and freshly sliced strawberries. This is a dessert for any celebration!

Coffee Cake – This traditional recipe is just what your morning cup of coffee has been asking for. A dense flavorful cake with a crumbly topping.

Raspberry Cream Cake – This beautiful cake has a white cake base with a cream cheese, and raspberry topping.

Oreo Pudding Poke Cake – A super moist chocolate cake that is perfect for any Oreo lover.