HEAVENLY COCONUT CAKE

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, divided

2 cups granulated sugar, plus 3/4 cup for filling

4 large eggs, room temperature

3 cups self-rising flour, sifted

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons for frosting

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup whole milk

1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes, plus more for sprinkling

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese

2 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted or whisked to remove lumps

1/2 cup sweetened cream of coconut

Preheat oven to 350°. 

Grease and flour 3 9-inch round cake pans.

Cream 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 7 minutes. Add the eggs, one a time, beating well after each addition.

Add the flour and coconut milk, alternately, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix in 2 teaspoons vanilla.

Divide the batter among the cake pans. Bake for 25 minutes, until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. 

Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes, remove cakes from pans and cool completely on the wire racks.

To make the frosting: 

In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter using an electric mixer. Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the coconut cream and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla.

To make the filling: 

Mix together the sour cream, 3/4 cup sugar, milk and coconut flakes in a large bowl.

Assembling the cake should be done up to 3 days ahead of time so the cake can fully absorb the filling. 

Once cake layers are cool, poke all over with a wooden skewer. Spread 1/3 of the filling over the first cake round. Top with a second round, spread another 1/3 of the filling over the top, and finally top with the final layer and spread the remaining filling over the top.

Frost the top and sides of the cake then sprinkle the tops and sides with remaining coconut flakes.

Note: File Photo of this recipe

Disclaimer: This is not my recipe. I'm not sure who the original baker was but the addition of sour cream in the filling takes this coconut cake up a notch!