[Heavenly Jumper]

Ultimate Coconut Cake

Makes one 6-layer cake
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut flakes
2 Coconut Cakes (see below)
Simple Syrup (see below)
Coconut Filling (see below)
Coconut Cake Frosting (see below)


Directions for Assembly -

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread coconut flakes in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake until golden, 5 to 7 minutes; set aside to cool.

Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes to make level; discard trimmings. Cut each cake into 3 even layers. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan.

Place one layer on the cake plate. Brush with about one-fifth of the simple syrup. Spread over 2 cups of filling. Place a second layer on top. Repeat process with the next four layers and top with last remaining layer.

Spread top and sides of cake with frosting, keeping in mind you may not need to use all of it. Press toasted coconut into sides of cake; remove parchment paper strips.

Chill cake at least 5 hours and up to 5 days. Slice immediately; bring to room temperature before serving.

Coconut Cakes

Makes two 10-inch round cakes

Nonstick cooking spray with flour
1 pound unsalted butter, preferably European-style
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coconut extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray two 10-inch round cake pans with cooking spray; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5 to 6 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until creamy, occasionally scraping down sides of the bowl using a spatula.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, mix together cream, vanilla, and coconut extract. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture, alternating with cream mixture, beginning and ending with flour; beat until just combined.

Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack before removing cakes from pans.

Simple Syrup

3/4 cup water
3/4 cup sugar

Place water and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

Coconut Cake Frosting

Makes enough for 1 cake
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
5 cups confectioners' sugar
1 vanilla bean, scraped

Place butter and cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until creamy.

With mixer on low speed, slowly add vanilla extract, seeds from vanilla bean, and confectioners' sugar. Continue beating until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.

Coconut Filling

Makes enough for 1 cake
5 cups heavy cream
3 cups sugar
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
9 cups shredded sweetened coconut

Place cream, sugar, and butter in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together cornstarch, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon water. Add to cream mixture, bring to a boil, and simmer until thickened, about 1 minute.

Place coconut in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until coconut is finely chopped. Remove cream mixture from heat and stir in coconut until well combined. Transfer to a large baking dish; let cool.

Cover filling with plastic wrap and chill overnight. Just before using, place mixture in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until smooth and creamy, 4 to 5 minutes.

[TB4life]

Happy day after the 4th?

[Arco]

That looks yummy! Um, how about to cheer me up (although I'm not sure a slice would still taste so nice after shipping it to me ).

[Heavenly Jumper]

Maybe I should start a bakery in Japan.

If I could, I would bake my friends all cakes and send them out. I love giving away food more than I like eating it.

[HUS_WP_lovr]

Um it looks really yummy, your lonely, bored, cant wait for Emmy pics to come, I dont know

It looks really good though

[Magvns]

you could send it to me

[Dandy_Brush]

Ooo that cake looks yummy!! Ahh you dont need an excuse to make it, or if you really want a good one, how about "cause i deserve it" lol thats what i tell myself when i see something i want to buy, but cant aford or dont need

[haunani]

When's Aaron coming home?

[Cyn]

That cake looks fantastic... and I think you should open a bakery in Japan...

[Erika]

Yum!!!

Is that from the Throwdown episode on coconut cakes?