Chocolate Coconut Easter Cake
User Reviews
5
Chocolate Coconut Easter Cake
Description
Chocolate Coconut Easter Cake features a classic chocolate sponge made from all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and leavening agents, enriched by buttermilk, yogurt, and vegetable oil to maintain moistness and tenderness. Hot coffee is added to the batter, enhancing the depth of cocoa flavor without overwhelming the delicate crumb. Once baked and cooled, the cake is topped with a coconut cream cheese frosting that blends softened cream cheese and butter with powdered sugar and vanilla extracts. Sweetened shredded coconut is toasted until golden, introducing a nutty aroma and texture to the frosting. The final touch is a scattering of Cadbury mini eggs, giving a colorful Easter motif and a candy contrast to the creamy and cake elements.
The cake’s flavor profile balances the slight tanginess of the dairy components with chocolate bitterness and coconut sweetness. The method of toasting coconut separately before incorporating it in the frosting ensures a flavorful contrast against the soft cream cheese layer. The recipe’s baking time and temperature aim for a fully set but tender crumb, tested by the use of a cake tester for doneness. This cake suits celebrations requiring a festive yet rich dessert featuring classic ingredients matched with a seasonal garnish.
The cream cheese frosting is soft and spreadable, holding the coarse texture of the toasted coconut well. The cake should be cooled completely before frosting to prevent melting or sliding. The layered elements combine to make a dessert that is more than a standard chocolate cake by introducing coconut’s flavor and texture distinctly.
Ingredients
chocolate cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup yogurt or sour cream, plain, Greek
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cups vegetable oil
- 2 egg large
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups coffee hot, or water
coconut cream cheese frosting
- 2 cups coconut shredded, sweetened
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon coconut extract optional
- 1 bag Cadbury mini egg for topping
Instructions
chocolate cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, soda and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, buttermilk and vegetable oil. Whisk in each egg 1 at a time. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until combined. Whisk in the hot coffee. Whisk in the remaining dry ingredients.
- Pour the batter in the 9x13 dish. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until set and a tested inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
coconut cream cheese frosting
- Place the coconut in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring often, until the coconut is toasted and golden brown. Set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Beat in the sugar until combined. Beat in the vanilla extract and coconut extract. Frost the cooled cake! Sprinkle on the toasted and press so it gently adheres to the frosting. Top the cake with the cadbury mini eggs.
- I like to keep the cake in the fridge because of the cream cheese frosting, plus we love cold cake.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is fully cooled before applying the coconut cream cheese frosting to prevent melting.
- Toast shredded sweetened coconut in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning, until golden brown for best flavor and texture.
- The addition of hot coffee to the batter intensifies the chocolate flavor without adding any coffee taste.
- Using yogurt or sour cream contributes moisture and slight tang to the cake crumb.
- The Cadbury mini eggs make a festive topping and can be substituted with any small colorful candy or omitted as desired.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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