Southern Coconut Layer Cake With Divinity Icing Food

GRANDMAMA'S COCONUT CAKE WITH NO-FAIL SEVEN-MINUTE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9x13-inch cake pan and set aside.
• Cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until very smooth, at least four minutes. Add eggs, vanilla, and coconut flavoring and beat well to combine. In a separate medium-sized bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Add flour mixture and the buttermilk to the butter mixture and beat with an electric mixer at medium speed, scraping down the sides as needed, until thoroughly blended and smooth, around two to three minutes.
• Pour batter into the prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This is about 25 to 30 minutes for round cakes and 30 to 35 minutes for a 9x13 cake.
• Cool completely and frost with the no-fail seven-minute frosting. Sprinkle with coconut and press coconut into the cake's sides immediately after frosting.
• Keep covered at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.

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.

SOUTHERN COCONUT LAYER CAKE WITH DIVINITY ICING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans; set aside. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt onto a sheet of wax paper; set aside. With an electric mixer at medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugar until very light and smooth. Add all of the egg whites and the vanilla and almond extracts; beat until well combined and smooth. Add ½ cup of the milk and mix well. Lower the speed to slow and add the sifted ingredients; mix just until blended, no longer. Fold in the remaining ½ cup milk. Divide the batter between the prepared pans; smooth the top. Bake until the cake layers are golden brown, the edges shrink slightly away from the sides of the pans, and a toothpick inserted in the centers emerges clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool the cake layers in their pans on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Run the tip of a knife around the sides of the cakes to loosen them; invert the cakes, turn right side up and cool to room temperature. For the divinity icing: Combine the sugar, corn syrup and cold water in a small, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil, uncovered, until the syrup reaches a temperature of 240 degrees F, usually 3 or 4 minutes. (This is the soft-ball stage. If you don't own a candy thermometer, drop a small spoonful of the hot syrup into a cup of ice water; the mixture will form a soft mass when pressed between your fingers.) While the syrup is cooking, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until foamy. When the syrup reaches the soft-ball stage, slowly pour it into the beaten whites in a very slow, thin stream, beating all the time. (Try to pour the syrup into the center of the egg whites, so it doesn't spatter all over the sides of the bowl.) When all of the syrup has been added, add the vanilla and continue to beat until the mixture is fluffy and shiny and cools to room temperature, usually 7 to 8 minutes. Beat in the lemon juice and hot water. With a long serrated knife, split each cooled cake layer horizontally into 2 layers. Sprinkle the cut side of each layer with 1 tablespoon of the coconut milk or thinned coconut cream. Choose a layer with a flat surface and set it aside for the top. Place 1 of the layers, cut side up, on a serving plate. Spread it with a generous layer of icing; sprinkle on some coconut. Repeat with the remaining layers, spreading each with icing and coconut. Gently press the reserved layer, browned side up, on top. Spread the top and sides of the cake with the remaining icing. Sprinkle the top of the cake with coconut, and gently press more coconut into the icing on the sides.

COCONUT CAKE WITH 7-MINUTE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake:
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil 2 (9-inch) cake pans. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper. Oil the parchment paper and then flour the pan. Set aside.
• Place the flour, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
• Combine the coconut milk and coconut cream in small bowl and set aside.
• Place the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer and using the paddle attachment, cream on medium speed until fluffy, approximately 1 minute. Decrease the speed to low and gradually add the sugar slowly over 1 to 2 minutes. Once all of the sugar has been added, stop the mixer and scrape down the sides. Turn the mixer back on to medium speed and continue creaming until the mixture noticeably lightens in texture and increases slightly in volume, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the coconut extract.
• With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture alternately with the milk mixture to the butter and sugar in 3 batches, ending with the milk mixture. Do not over mix.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the batter, just until combined. Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bang the pans on the counter top several times to remove any air and to distribute the batter evenly in the pan. Place in the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 40 minutes or until the cake is light golden in color and reaches an internal temperature of 200 degrees F.
• Cool the cake in the pans for 10 minutes then remove and transfer to a cooling rack. Once the cakes have cooled completely cut across the equator of each to form 4 layers. Place the 1/3 cup coconut water into a small spritz bottle and spray evenly onto the cut side of the 4 layers. If you do not have a spritz bottle you may brush the coconut water on with a silicone pastry brush. Allow to sit while preparing the frosting.
• For the frosting:
• Bring 1 quart of water to a boil in a 4-quart saucepan over high heat. Decrease the heat to medium to maintain a steady simmer. In the meantime, place the egg whites, sugar, coconut water, cream of tartar and salt into a medium size-mixing bowl. Place the bowl over the simmering water and immediately begin beating with an electric hand mixer set to low speed. Beat for 1 minute and then increase the speed to high and continue to beat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and beat in the coconut and vanilla extracts for 1 minute. Allow the frosting to sit for 5 minutes before using.
• Place approximately 3/4 cup of the frosting on the first layer of cake, sprinkle with 1/2 cup coconut and top with the next layer. Repeat until you reach the top layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake and sprinkle with the remaining coconut. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

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.

EASY CHERRY COCONUT CAKE WITH DIVINITY ICING

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 9" round cake pans with cooking spray with flour. Drain cherries, reserving 1/4 cup of juice. Set aside 1-3 cherries for decoration. Chop remaining cherries; set aside.
• 2. In large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, sour cream, oil, cherry juice and almond extract. With mixer on low speed, beat 30 seconds. Scrape sides of bowl & continue to beat with mixer on high speed for. 1/2 minutes. Stir in chopped cherries. Pour batter into prepared pans. Place in oven and bake 25-30 minutes or until done. Insert toothpick in center of layers to test for doneness. If it comes out clean, remove from oven. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out on cooling racks. Frost when cool.
• 3. Icing: In small heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water; stir until blended. Cook without stirring over medium heat. Bring to a boil. With spoon, held above saucepan, drizzle small amount of syrup mixture. When a long thread separates from the stream of syrup; remove from heat. While beating with mixer, slowly pour hot syrup mixture into stiffly beaten egg whites. Continue beating until mixture is fluffy and spreadable. Add vanilla. Frost bottom cake layer and sprinkle with coconut. Repeat with top layer. Sprinkle remaining coconut on sides. Top with cherries. Cool cake before refrigerating.
• 4. Note: I used a large jar of maraschino cherries because I like a lot of cherries. I beat the egg whites for the icing as soon as I start cooking the syrup mixture.

COCONUT CAKE WITH COCONUT BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Position oven rack in the center (or just below center) of the oven. Preheat oven to 350°F [175°C]. Grease and flour three round cake pans. Line pans with parchment paper for easy release and clean-up. NOTE: 8" or 9" cake pans will work for this cake. (They must, however, all be the same size!)
• Measure sifted cake flour, baking powder, and salt; sift together three times. Set aside.
• Combine sour cream and coconut milk in a small bowl and set aside.
• Using an electric mixer with a large mixing bowl, cream butter and 1 cup of sugar together until light and fluffy. Add coconut extract and mix to combine. Add flour mixture alternately with coconut milk and sour cream mixture, beating after each addition. Remove bowl from mixer and set aside.
• [DO NOT begin this step until you have completed the previous step.] In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Add 1/2 cup sugar gradually, beating until meringue will hold soft peaks.
• [Do this step by hand. Do not use a mixer.] Carefully fold beaten egg whites into batter.
• Pour batter evenly into the three prepared cake pans. Bake layers in preheated oven: 22-25 for 9" cake pans / 25-30 minutes for 8" cake pans - or until a toothpick or skewer comes out clean. (If your oven cooks unevenly, carefully rotate pans on rack at the 15-minute mark.)
• Allow cakes to cool in their pans over wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully tap out onto wire rack to cool completely. Wrap and chill layers in refrigerator for at least an hour (or up to a week if you need to).
• Using an electric mixer, beat butter on medium-high until light and fluffy. Add coconut and vanilla extracts and salt and mix to thoroughly combine.
• Slowly add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
• Add coconut milk, one tablespoon at a time time, beating on medium-high until fully incorporated.
• Once the cake is completely chilled, trim the layers.
• Spread the top of the bottom layer of cake with frosting. Add the middle layer and frost top. Add the top layer.
• Apply a crumb coat to the entire cake. (A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting that covers the top and sides of a cake.) Return the cake to the refrigerator for another 15 minutes.
• Frost the entire cake with a generous layer of frosting. Sprinkle flaked coconut over top and sides of cake before the frosting sets.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH DIVINITY ICING

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the chocolate and the vanilla. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted. Set aside to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare three 9-inch round cake pans: spray the bottom and sides of each pan with cooking spray; line the pans with parchment paper; then spray again with cooking spray.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a stand mixer, cream the butter and the remaining 1 3/4 cups sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and beat until smooth. Add the sifted flour mixture alternately with the milk, starting with a third of the flour, then adding half the milk, and ending with the flour. Stir only enough after each addition to blend the ingredients. Pour the batter evenly into the cake pans and bake for 35 minutes, or until done. Judge doneness by appearancelayers will begin to pull away from the sidesor by inserting a toothpick into the center of a layer. The toothpick should come out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto racks. Remove the paper and allow to cool completely before frosting. Spread the Divinity Icing between the layers and all over the top and sides of the cake.
• Pour the egg whites and salt into a stand mixer fitted with a whip attachment. Beat the egg whites until smooth but not stiff; they should not form stiff peaks.
• In a large saucepan, mix the sugar, 3/4 cup water, corn syrup and vinegar. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then heat the mixture until it reaches the hard ball stage (265 degrees F on a candy thermometer), about 12 minutes. When done, the syrup will spin a long thread when poured off the edge of a spoon. Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the mini marshmallows. The mixture will be foamy. With the mixer running at high speed, stream the syrup into the egg whites. Beat well, and then beat in the vanilla.

COCONUT SOUTHERN COMFORT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For cake:
• Arrange racks in top and bottom thirds of oven; preheat to 350°F. Coat cake pans with nonstick spray; dust with flour. Whisk 2 3/4 cups flour and next 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat sugar and butter at medium speed, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl, until smooth, 3-4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions. Beat until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Gradually beat in oil. Beat in dry ingredients at low speed in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Divide among four 9" cake pans (about 2 generous cups batter per pan); smooth tops with a spatula.
• Bake until a tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, 22-27 minutes. Transfer pans to wire racks; let cool in pans for 5 minutes. Invert cakes onto racks, remove pans, and let cakes cool completely.
• For frosting and assembly:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place coconut chips in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Toast until some of the chips are golden brown (some will remain white), 5-7 minutes; let cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
• Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter on high speed, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl, until smooth and creamy, 2-3 minutes. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons Southern Comfort and salt; beat to blend, about 1 minute longer. Add sugar; beat on low speed to blend. Increase speed to high; beat until fluffy, 5-6 minutes.
• Using a long serrated knife, cut each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 layer, cut side up, on a cake stand or plate. Lightly brush with about 1/2 tablespoon of Southern Comfort. Spread 1/2 cup frosting over. Repeat with remaining 7 layers, Southern Comfort, and frosting. Chill cake for 30 minutes. Leave remaining frosting at room temperature.
• Cover sides of chilled cake with frosting. Cover cake loosely with foil and chill overnight. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled. Let cake stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
• Gently pat handfuls of toasted coconut chips over sides and top of cake and serve.

DOUBLE COCONUT CAKE WITH FLUFFY COCONUT FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Coat 2 (9 inch) round cake pans with cooking spray, dust with 1 tablespoon flour.
• Combine 2 1/4 cups flour, baking powder,and salt, stirring with a whisk.
• Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (for about 5 minutes).
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add flour mixture and milk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• Stir in vanilla.
• Pour batter into prepared pans.
• Sharply tap the pans once on countertop to remove air bubbles.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
• Cool in pans 10 minutes on wire racks, and remove from pans.
• Cool completely on wire racks.
• Place 1 cake layer on a plate, spread with 1 cup fluffy coconut frosting.
• Sprinkle with 1/3 cup coconut.
• Top with remaining cake layer, spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
• Sprinkle with 1/3 cup coconut over top of cake.
• Store cake loosely covered in refrigerator.
• Fluffy coconut Frosting:.
• Place egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in a large bowl, beat with a mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form.
• Combine sugar and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil.
• Cook, without stirring, until candy thermometer registers 238 degrees.
• Pour hot sugar syrup in a thin steam over egg whites, beating at high speed.
• Stir in extracts.