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overhead side view of square coconut snack cake with toasted coconut and dollops of frosting on top

Coconut Snack Cake

Heather Janak
Moist, coconut-flavored white cake topped with a coconut ermine frosting and toasted coconut flakes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 18 slices***
Calories 364 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Coconut cake

  • 1 cup vegetable oil (216g)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (205g)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 3 large egg whites (90g) room temperature
  • ¾ cup coconut-flavored greek yogurt* (150g)
  • 2 cups cake flour (250g)
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar** (32g)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Coconut ermine buttercream + garnish

  • 6.75 oz coconut milk (192g, ½ of a 13 oz can) full fat
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour (33g)
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (6 oz, 1 ½ sticks) room temperature
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon coconut extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • cup coconut flakes unsweetened, shredded or desiccated
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Instructions
 

Do ahead

  • Grease and line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper with overhang (if you plan to remove the cake from the tin for serving).
  • The frosting and/or the frosting’s pudding mixture can be made a day ahead, if desired. If making the frosting's pudding mixture ahead, refrigerate until needed. Let come to room temperature before proceeding with mixing it into the butter.

Make the cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9” square or round cake pan.
  • In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil and sugar and whisk until incorporated.
  • Add the salt, vanilla and coconut extract, and whisk until combined.
  • Add the egg whites one by one, mixing with beaters (or by hand) to fully incorporate before adding another then whisk for a full minute, until it’s light and creamy. Add the coconut-flavored yogurt and whisk again.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, powdered sugar and baking powder.
  • Add the dry ingredients and fold the batter until it’s smooth. Pour into the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 30-45 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

Make the frosting

  • Shake the can of coconut milk before opening. Pour into a microwave-safe container. If you see lumps, microwave until melted and smooth. Then measure out the amount you need (½ the can, 6.75 oz, 192g).
  • Combine flour and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk and cook for about 2 minutes to toast the flour.
  • Slowly add the coconut milk, whisking to combine, and turn heat to medium-high. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking continuously until it is thick and pudding-like. Once simmering, cook for an additional minute.
  • Spread the mixture onto a sheet pan lined with plastic or a silicone baking mat and cover with plastic wrap so that it is touching the surface without any air bubbles in between to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool completely to room temperature. Ensure the mixture is completely cool, otherwise it will melt the butter.
  • Add the room temperature butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on high until very light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Alternatively, beat with hand beaters.
  • Add the cooled flour mixture gradually, by the spoonful, while still beating. Incorporating the mixture slowly ensures a smoother consistency.
  • Add vanilla extract, coconut extract and salt, and mix until fully incorporated.

Toast the coconut

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spread the coconut on a parchment or foil-lined sheet pan in an even layer.
  • Bake for 5-10 minutes, stirring after a few minutes to evenly toast the coconut. Remove and let cool completely.

Assemble

  • Spread the frosting on the cooled cake with an offset spatula, reserving some for additional decorating, if desired.
  • Sprinkle the cooled toasted coconut on top of the frosting. Garnish with piped dollops of the frosting, if desired.

Notes

*Substitute for regular greek yogurt or sour cream.
**Substitute for granulated sugar.
***yields 9 large slices or 18 small slices
To substitute the cake flour for all-purpose flour, use 2 tablespoons less of all-purpose flour.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 364kcal
Keyword coconut, coconut buttercream, coconut cake, coconut flakes, coconut frosting, coconut snack cake, shredded coconut, snack cake, snacking cake
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