Coconut Carrot Cake
User Reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Excellent
Coconut Carrot Cake
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This coconut carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is unlike any carrot cake you've had. Lighter, more delicate, some may even say more sophisticated, than any other carrot cake you've ever had.
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Ingredients
For the carrot cake
- unsalted butter for the pans
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for the pans
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 cup full-fat plain yogurt preferably not Greek yogurt
- 2 sticks (8 oz) unsalted butter melted and cooled (or substitute 1 cup/237 ml vegetable oil)
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups peeled, coarsely grated carrot (about 6 carrots)
For the coconut syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup canned full-fat coconut milk not low-fat
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut*
- Pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
For the cream cheese frosting
- 2 sticks (8 oz) unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- Pinch salt
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For assembly
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes* toasted or untoasted
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Instructions
Make the carrot cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Butter the bottom and sides of two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans and dust with flour to coat. Tap out any excess flour.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the yogurt, butter or oil, water, and eggs until moistened and no lumps remain. Be careful not to overmix the ingredients. Stir in the grated carrot. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- Bake until the cakes are evenly golden on top and a few moist crumbs cling to a skewer or toothpick inserted in the center of each cake, 38 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven.
Make the coconut syrup
- While the cakes bake, combine the granulated sugar, coconut milk, shredded coconut, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the coconut extract, cover, and set aside to steep for at least 20 minutes.
- Strain the coconut syrup, reserving the coconut for another use or nibbling it while you wait for the cakes to be done. Use the syrup warm or at room temperature. (The coconut syrup will keep, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 1 week. Reheat it in a small saucepan over low heat before using.)
Soak the cakes in coconut syrup
- Immediately after removing the cakes from the oven, while the cakes are still in their pans, pierce them at 1-inch (2.5-cm) intervals with a skewer or the tip of a paring knife. This creates channels for the syrup to seep into the cakes. Pour or generously brush the syrup over the surface of the hot cake layers, dividing it evenly between them. Move the soaked cake, still in their pans, to a wire rack to cool completely, 1 to 2 hours. When the cake layers are cool and no longer wet to the touch, carefully turn them out of their pans onto a wire rack. (You can carefully wrap the soaked cakes and keep them at room temperature for up to 24 hours before frosting.)
Make the cream cheese frosting
- Combine the butter, cream cheese, salt, and 2 cups (227 grams) confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until incorporated, about 1 minute. Add the remaining sugar and beat on medium speed until the frosting is pale and no longer grainy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat until the frosting is very light and fluffy, about 2 minutes more. The frosting will be quite thick. (The cream cheese frosting will keep, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 1 week. For best results, before using, bring it back to room temperature and stir it vigorously or beat it again before using.)
Assemble the cake
- Place one layer of the cooled cake on a cake plate or platter. Use a serrated knife to gently trim the domed top of the cake to create a flat surface. Cover the top of the cake with some of the cream cheese frosting, spreading it all the way to the edge of the cake. Carefully add the second layer of cake on top of the first and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
- Immediately after you frost the cake, support the cake plate or platter from the bottom with one hand while holding it above a baking sheet. Gently press the coconut flakes or shards onto the side of the cake with your other hand. (It’s important to press the coconut flakes onto the frosting right away while the frosting is still sorta sticky. Otherwise the coconut won’t adhere.) Slice, serve, and sit back while folks toss accolades your way.
Notes
- We’re smitten with this coconut carrot cake as-is, although if you prefer your cake to be uber coconutty, then consider doubling the coconut syrup recipe to impart even more of that sweet coconut-y goodness.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1slice
Calories
774kcal
(39%)
Carbohydrates
99g
(33%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
41g
(63%)
Saturated Fat
27g
(135%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
152mg
(51%)
Sodium
406mg
(17%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
75g
(150%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 774 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice | |
| Calories | 774kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 99g | 33% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 41g | 63% |
| Saturated Fat | 27g | 135% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 152mg | 51% |
| Sodium | 406mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 75g | 150% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
6 reviews
Excellent
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