Description
🥥 Coconut Easter Cake offers a moist, flavorful treat adorned with a refreshing lemon cream cheese frosting and festive coconut decorations.
🌼 Perfect for spring celebrations, this cake combines tropical coconut and bright lemon to delight your taste buds and impress your guests.
Ingredients
– 3 cups cake flour
– 3 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
– 1 heaping tablespoon lemon zest
– 1/2 cup vegetable oil
– 5 large eggs
– 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon coconut extract
– 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream or plain yogurt
– 2/3 cup whole milk
– 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
– 1 cup sweetened shredded or flaked coconut
– 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
– 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
– 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
– 1 to 2 cups candy-coated chocolate eggs or colorful Easter-themed candies
Instructions
First Step: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a Bundt pan to prevent sticking. Gather all ingredients and allow refrigerated items such as eggs, sour cream, and milk to come to room temperature for even mixing.
Second Step: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups cake flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to evenly distribute leavening agents and salt.
Third Step: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter on high speed until fluffy (about 1 minute). Add 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar and 1 heaping tablespoon lemon zest and continue beating for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and airy. Add 1/2 cup vegetable oil and mix on medium speed to combine.
Fourth Step: On low speed, add 5 eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon coconut extract for flavor depth.
Fifth Step: Whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 2/3 cup whole milk (or coconut milk for extra coconut flavor). Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and the lemon-milk mixture to the batter in three parts on low speed. Mix just until combined after each addition to avoid overworking the batter.
Sixth Step: Gently fold in 1 cup sweetened shredded or flaked coconut to maintain a tender, light texture without overmixing.
Seventh Step: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared Bundt pan. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cover with foil if browning too fast. Once done, cool the cake in the pan for 2 hours before inverting onto a cake stand to cool completely.
Final Step: Beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup softened butter on medium until smooth (about 2 minutes). Gradually add 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract on low speed. Increase speed and beat for 3 minutes until fluffy. Spread evenly over the cooled cake. Press remaining shredded coconut onto frosting for a feather-like texture. Optionally, toast coconut flakes at 300°F (150°C) for 6-8 minutes for color and crunch. Fill the center nest with candy-coated chocolate eggs and serve.
Notes
🌡️ Use room temperature ingredients to achieve even mixing and the best texture.
🥥 Substitute whole milk with coconut milk and increase coconut extract for a stronger coconut flavor.
⏳ Bake in advance and store unfrosted for convenience; freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cooling Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake, Holiday
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: coconut easter cake, lemon cream cheese frosting, shredded coconut cake, festive spring cake