Coconut Lemon Layer Cake

Prep Time

45m

Bake Time

20m - 25m

Yields

One 9-inch three layer cake

About this Recipe

What could make a coconut cake better? Add lemon! This Coconut Lemon Layer Cake starts with a fluffy coconut cake that’s filled with homemade lemon curd and topped with tangy coconut cream cheese frosting. Then we smother the whole cake with toasted coconut.

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Coconut Lemon Layer Cake

Prep Time

45m

Bake Time

20m - 25m

Yields

One 9-inch three layer cake

About this Recipe

Print this recipe

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Ingredients

Lemon Curd

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup Crystal Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
2 large eggs
5 large egg yolks (reserve whites for cake)
3/4 cup lemon fresh juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Pinch salt

Coconut Cake

5 egg whites (reserved from lemon curd)
1/2 cup sweetened cream of coconut
1 tablespoon coconut flavoring
3 cups cake flour*
2 cups Crystal Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature & cut into 16 pieces
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups Crystal Sugar Confectioners Powdered Sugar
6 tablespoons cream of coconut
1 1/2 teaspoons coconut flavoring (extract)
Pinch salt or to taste
4 cups sweetened shredded coconut, toasted – for garnish

*Spoon & Sweep method: Use a spoon to fill measuring cup with flour until required amount is obtained. Scooping measuring cup directly into flour bag will firmly pack flour resulting in too much flour required for recipe.

Instructions

Lemon Curd

In a medium-sized bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about two minutes. Beat in eggs, egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until combined. Pour mixture into a saucepan and heat on low, stirring frequently until thickened, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
TIP: If for some reason eggs over-cook, strain lemon curd through a fine mesh strainer and it will be perfectly fine to use.

Coconut Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 9-inch round pans or line bottoms of pans with a circle of parchment paper to ensure no sticking.
In a large bowl, lightly whisk egg whites, cream of coconut, and coconut flavoring together. Set aside.
In bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter pieces and coconut milk, mixing on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Slowly pour in egg white mixture and stir until just incorporated.
Distribute batter to prepared pans and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely before assembling.

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

In bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth with no lumps. Reduce speed to low and add confectioner’s sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing until combined. Add cream of coconut, coconut flavoring, and salt and mix until smooth.

To Assemble

Once cake is completely cooled, place one cake layer on a cake stand or platter. Spread half of lemon curd on top and top with another cake layer. Spread remaining lemon curd on top of second layer and place last cake layer on top. Place cake in a refrigerator for 10 minutes so lemon curd doesn’t ooze out sides when frosting. Remove from refrigerator and frost outside and top of cake with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. Cover frosting with toasted coconut.

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Coconut Lemon Layer Cake

Prep Time

45m

Bake Time

20m - 25m

Yields

One 9-inch three layer cake

About this Recipe

Print this recipe

Ingredients

Lemon Curd

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup Crystal Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
2 large eggs
5 large egg yolks (reserve whites for cake)
3/4 cup lemon fresh juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Pinch salt

Coconut Cake

5 egg whites (reserved from lemon curd)
1/2 cup sweetened cream of coconut
1 tablespoon coconut flavoring
3 cups cake flour*
2 cups Crystal Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature & cut into 16 pieces
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups Crystal Sugar Confectioners Powdered Sugar
6 tablespoons cream of coconut
1 1/2 teaspoons coconut flavoring (extract)
Pinch salt or to taste
4 cups sweetened shredded coconut, toasted – for garnish

*Spoon & Sweep method: Use a spoon to fill measuring cup with flour until required amount is obtained. Scooping measuring cup directly into flour bag will firmly pack flour resulting in too much flour required for recipe.

Instructions

Lemon Curd

In a medium-sized bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about two minutes. Beat in eggs, egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until combined. Pour mixture into a saucepan and heat on low, stirring frequently until thickened, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
TIP: If for some reason eggs over-cook, strain lemon curd through a fine mesh strainer and it will be perfectly fine to use.

Coconut Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 9-inch round pans or line bottoms of pans with a circle of parchment paper to ensure no sticking.
In a large bowl, lightly whisk egg whites, cream of coconut, and coconut flavoring together. Set aside.
In bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter pieces and coconut milk, mixing on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Slowly pour in egg white mixture and stir until just incorporated.
Distribute batter to prepared pans and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely before assembling.

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

In bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth with no lumps. Reduce speed to low and add confectioner’s sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing until combined. Add cream of coconut, coconut flavoring, and salt and mix until smooth.

To Assemble

Once cake is completely cooled, place one cake layer on a cake stand or platter. Spread half of lemon curd on top and top with another cake layer. Spread remaining lemon curd on top of second layer and place last cake layer on top. Place cake in a refrigerator for 10 minutes so lemon curd doesn’t ooze out sides when frosting. Remove from refrigerator and frost outside and top of cake with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. Cover frosting with toasted coconut.