Cooks Illustrated Coconut Layer Cake Food

AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• 1. For the Cake: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with shortening and dust with flour.
• 2. Beat egg whites and whole egg in large measuring cup with fork to combine. Add cream of coconut, water, vanilla, and coconut extract and beat with fork until thoroughly combined.
• 3. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Mix on lowest speed to combine, about 30 seconds. With mixer still running on lowest speed, add butter 1 piece at a time, then beat until mixture resembles coarse meal, with butter bits no larger than small peas, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes.
• 4. With mixer still running, add 1 cup liquid. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 45 seconds. With mixer still running, add remaining 1 cup liquid in steady stream (this should take about 15 seconds). Stop mixer and scrape down bowl with rubber spatula, then beat at medium-high speed to combine, about 15 seconds. (Batter will be thick.).
• 5. Divide batter between cake pans and level with offset or rubber spatula. Bake until deep golden brown, cakes pull away from sides of pans, and toothpick inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes (rotate cakes after about 20 minutes). Do not turn off oven.
• 6. Cool in pans on wire racks about 10 minutes, then loosen cakes from sides of pans with paring knife, invert cakes onto racks and then re-invert; cool to room temperature.
• 7. While cakes are cooling, spread shredded coconut on rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until shreds are a mix of golden brown and white, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring 2 or 3 times. Cool to room temperature.
• 8. For the Buttercream: Combine whites, sugar, and salt in bowl of standing mixer; set bowl over saucepan containing 1 1/2-inches of barely simmering water. Whisk constantly until mixture is opaque and warm to the touch and registers about 120 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 2 minutes.
• 9. Transfer bowl to mixer and beat whites on high speed with whisk attachment until barely warm (about 80 degrees) and whites are glossy and sticky, about 7 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-high and beat in butter 1 piece at a time. Beat in cream of coconut and coconut and vanilla extracts. Stop mixer and scrape bottom and sides of bowl. Continue to beat at medium-high speed until well-combined, about 1 minute.
• 10. To Assemble the Cake: Follow illustrations in chart below. Cut into slices and serve. (Wrap leftover cake in plastic and refrigerate; bring to room temperature before serving.).
• ASSEMBLING THE CAKE.
• 1. With a long serrated knife, cut both cakes in half horizontally so that each cake forms two layers.
• 2. Put a dab of icing on a cardboard round cut just larger than the cake. Center one cake layer on the round.
• 3. Place a large blob of icing in the center of the layer and spread it to the edges with an icing spatula.
• 4. Hold the spatula at a 45-degree angle to the cake and drag it across the surface to level the icing. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with remaining cake layers.
• 5. To ice the sides of the cake, scoop up a large dab of icing with the tip of the spatula and spread it on the sides with short side-to-side strokes.
• 6. Sprinkle the top of the cake with coconut. Then press the coconut into the sides, letting the excess fall back onto a baking sheet.

COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and dust with flour; set aside. Whisk the flour, ginger, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the cream of coconut and milk in a small bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until combined. Add the vanilla and coconut extract and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk mixture and beginning and ending with flour, until combined.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans and spread evenly. Bake until the cakes are golden and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 15 minutes in the pans, then invert onto the rack to cool completely.
• Make the frosting: Spread the shredded coconut on a baking sheet and bake, stirring halfway through, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool. Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the butter and beat until fluffy, about 3 more minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar and coconut extract until combined. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 more minutes.
• Assemble the cake: Put 1 cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Combine 1 heaping cup frosting with 1 cup of the toasted coconut; spread on the cake. Top with the other cake layer. Spread a thin layer of frosting on the top and sides of the cake (this is the crumb coat; it doesn't have to be perfect). Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Spread the remaining frosting all over the cake; top with the remaining 1 cup toasted coconut.

TOASTED COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch cake pans, then fit each with a parchment round. Butter and flour the parchment.
• Separate the eggs into whites and yolks. Set the yolks aside. Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks, then set aside until ready to use.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the granulated sugar, butter and coconut oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer or with a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks, coconut cream and vanilla and beat until just combined. Alternate adding the buttermilk and flour mixture to the butter mixture, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the beaten whites until completely incorporated, but keeping the volume!
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cakes comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Let cool for about 5 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• For the coconut cream cheese frosting: Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer or in a bowl with a hand mixer until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the coconut extract and salt, then slowly start to add the powdered sugar, beating it in a little at a time. Beat until all the sugar is combined and the frosting is stiff but still light and fluffy. Add more sugar if it is too loose, or a little milk if it is too thick. Set aside at room temperature until you are ready to decorate.
• If the cakes have domed at all, shave down any uneven parts to make the tops of the cakes flat and smooth.
• Spread 1 tablespoon frosting on a cake plate or stand; this will help keep the cake in place while you decorate. Place one cake cut-side up on the plate. Dollop about 1 cup frosting on top of the cake and spread it in an even layer using a spatula, knife or spoon. Place the second cake on top of the first. Add another 2 cups frosting to the top of the cake and smooth it over the top and down the sides. Repeat with any remaining frosting until the outside of the cake is frosted and smooth. Using your hands, press the toasted coconut into the sides of the cake and sprinkle it on the top, so that the entire cake is covered in toasted coconut.
• Slice and serve, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment, then butter the parchment. Dust with all-purpose flour and tap out the excess. Whisk the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs and egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as necessary. Beat in both extracts. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk. Beat until just incorporated.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are golden around the edges and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer to racks and let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans, remove the parchment and return the cakes to the racks to cool completely.
• While the cakes cool, make the frosting: Combine the sugar and egg whites in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Whisk until warm and the sugar is dissolved, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and beat with a mixer on medium speed until thick and glossy, 5 minutes. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until stiff peaks form and the bottom of the bowl is cool, 7 more minutes. Reduce the speed to medium low; Add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. (It's OK if the frosting looks separated-just beat on medium-high speed until smooth again.) Add both extracts and the salt and continue beating until fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level, if necessary. Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or platter. Spread with 1 cup frosting. Place the second layer on top and spread with another 1 cup frosting. Place the remaining cake layer on top and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Press the coconut into the sides of the cake.

COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans, then line them parchment paper. Grease them again and dust lightly with flour.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until light yellow and fluffy. Crack the eggs into a small bowl. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl once during mixing. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well. The mixture might look curdled; don't be concerned.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the batter in 3 parts, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in the 4 ounces of coconut with a rubber spatula.
• Pour the batter evenly into the 2 pans and smooth the top with a knife. Bake in the center of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until the tops are browned and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack for 30 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto a baking rack to finish cooling.
• For the frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and almond extract on low speed. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until just smooth (don't whip!).
• To assemble, place 1 layer on a flat serving plate, top side down, and spread with frosting. Place the second layer on top, top side up, and frost the top and sides. To decorate the cake, sprinkle the top with coconut and lightly press more coconut onto the sides. Serve at room temperature.

THE BEST COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Position racks in the middle and lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter three 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment, dust with flour and tap out the excess. Set aside.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the buttermilk and cream of coconut in a small bowl. Beat the butter and 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in the vanilla and coconut extracts. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, until combined.
• Beat the egg whites and the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a large bowl with clean beaters on medium-high speed until stiff glossy peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, fold the egg whites into the batter in three batches until just combined (do not overmix). Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cakes are lightly browned and the centers spring back when lightly pressed, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool 20 minutes in the pans, then run a small knife around the edges of each cake and carefully invert onto the racks; remove the parchment and let cool completely.
• For the frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in about half of the confectioners' sugar until combined. Add the remaining confectioners' sugar, salt and vanilla and coconut extracts and beat until combined. Increase the mixer speed to medium high and continue beating, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Place one cake layer on a cake stand or platter and top with a heaping 2/3 cup frosting. Add another cake layer, more frosting and the last cake layer. Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the coconut all over the top and sides of the cake, gently pressing to adhere.

CARROT LAYER CAKE(COOK'S ILLUSTRATED)

Steps:

• CAKE: Set a rack to the middle of your oven and preheat to 350-degrees. Grease an 18"x 13" rimmed baking sheet, line it with parchment paper, and then grease the parchment paper too.
• Shred four carrots on the large holes of a box grater or using the shedding disk and your food processor.
• In a medium bowl, add together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cloves. Whisk together until combined.
• In another large bowl add sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Use a whisk to combine until smooth. Gently stir in carrots and currants with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed. Finally, add in flour mixture and fold in with your rubber spatula, but only until it is just combined.
• Empty batter onto baking sheet. Use an offset spatula to smooth surface and ensure the batter is an even depth. Bake for about 15 minutes, rotating half-way through baking, until the center is firm when touched.
• Allow cake to cool for 5 minutes in pan set on a wire rack. Flip the cake onto a wire rack then immediately re-flip back onto a second wire rack. The cake should be resting with the parchment side down. Allow the cake to cool for another 30 minutes.
• FROSTING: While the cake is cooking, toast your pecans and chop them coarsely. Cut your cream cheese into 12 equal-size pieces, but keep it refrigerated until you are ready to use in step 3.
• Add the butter, sugar, buttermilk powder, vanilla extract and salt to the bowl of a standing mixer. Mix using the paddle attachment on low-speed for 2 minutes; scrape down the bowl as necessary.
• Increase mixer speed to medium-low, then add cream cheese one piece at a time. Mix for 2 minutes until the frosting is smooth.
• ASSEMBLY: Put cooled cake on a cutting board and cut into equal halves cross-wise. Cut length-wise so that you have 4 equal pieces, measuring about 6″x8″ each.
• Cut out a 6″x8″ rectangle out of stiff cardboard. Put the first of the cake piece on the cardboard. Use a spatula to spread 2/3-cup of frosting over layer. Repeat with two more layers.
• Place the final cake layer on top. Remove any crumbs from your spatula and frost the top with a 1-cup of frosting.
• Frost the sides of the cake with your remaining frosting. You just need enough frosting to hold the chopped pecans, not completely hide all the crumbs.
• Holding the cake with one hand, use your other hand to gently press the chopped pecans onto the side of your cake. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 325°. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper., Cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg yolks, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda; beat into creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in coconut and chopped pecans., With clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until stiff peaks form; fold gently into batter. Transfer to prepared pans., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Top with coconut and pecan halves. Store in refrigerator.

COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the base of 2 x 20cm loose-bottomed sandwich tins with baking parchment. Put the butter and sugar into the bowl of a freestanding mixer and beat for 10 mins. Add the eggs and coconut extract, and beat for a further 5 mins until light. Beat in the coconut cream. Fold through the dry ingredients (excluding the coconut flakes) then spoon into the prepared tins. Bake in the centre of the oven for 25-30 mins until golden brown and risen. Leave to cool in the tins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Beat the butter, sugar and a pinch of salt together using an electric mixer for 10 mins until light and fluffy. Add the soft cheese, coconut cream and coconut extract, and beat on a high speed for 1 min until thickened. Use half of the buttercream to sandwich the sponges together, then spread the remaining icing on the top and sides of the cake. Top with the toasted coconut flakes.