An easy homemade scratch cake that's decadently delicious.
We have always been a big fan of coconut and this loaf is bursting with coconut cake, frosting, and ingredients that will satisfy the pickiest of coconut lovers.
It's not the light style cake and this loaf is much denser in texture like a pound cake, if you're looking for a chiffon style cake this isn't it.
I love making cakes from scratch and adding other creative fun ingredients to change it up a bit, so check our delicious suggestions below.
If you're in a big hurry, you can still make a cake mix add coconut to it, and use our fabulous cream cheese frosting recipe below to frost it with.
You may also like to try our Coconut Cream Pie recipe or our Coconut Chocolate Chip Banana Cake.
Scroll down for this super easy homemade recipe coconut lovers are really going to love this recipe.
Step By Step Easy Cake
- Prepare the loaf pan by greasing or lining it with parchment paper
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Beat the cream cheese until creamy looking
- Add all other ingredients then fold in the coconut
- Bake, cool, split the cake, and fill with frosting
Ingredients You Will Need (scroll to the printable recipe card for exact measurements)
- coconut
- sugar
- butter
- vanilla extract or coconut
- coconut milk
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- eggs
- baking powder and baking soda
- Optional:
- toasted sweetened shredded coconut-see notes below for directions
Tips
- if using toasted coconut first, toast the coconut and set it aside until needed
- always grease the pan heavily or line with parchment
- do not overmix the batter
- use the toothpick method in the middle to ensure the brownies are baked all the way through
- any
- you will need a pan that holds the equivalent of a 9 x 5 loaf pan which is approximately 8 cups if you prefer a different style of cake (I have used a 12 x 7 rectangular pan or you can use a 9 x 9)
- this recipe can be doubled
- use powdered sugar for garnishing instead of frosted and serve with fresh fruits
Other Additions
- add coconut extract instead of vanilla
- orange zest or lemon zest adds a nice flavor to the batter also
- use a medley of chopped nuts including the classic pecans and chocolate chips in the batter
- serve the cake unfrosted topped with berries and whipped cream
- add crushed pineapple and pecans with coconut for garnish
- chop some dates, raisins or other dried fruits for garnish with coconut
- toasted almonds, chocolate chips with the coconut (mom called it almond joy pound cake) then drizzle with chocolate frosting instead of white
Pin for later
More Recipes You May Like
Coconut Lime Bars
Coconut Shrimp
Coconut Bars
If you're in a hurry and don't want to fuss with this recipe with frosting, use a small square pan and make bars, frost and that's it.
Let us know how you like our recipe, it's one of our favorites for being avid coconut lovers.

Old Fashioned Coconut Cake
Yield: 12
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 55 MinTotal time: 1 H & 10 M
A real Island treat in flavors and a very popular dessert in the Southern region of the United States. It is a cake frosted with white frosting and covered in coconut flakes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks (12 Tablespoons) at room temperature
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 - 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup of canned coconut milk
- 1 -1/2 teaspoons vanilla or coconut extract
- 1 cup of coconut ( this gets folded into the batter)
- Garnish: more shredded sweetened coconut
- Frosting recipe see below:
- Cream Cheese Version or Light Glaze at the end
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9 x 5 loaf pan or a small rectangular cake pan with parchment paper or heavily grease it and shake a little flour into it.
- .Beat the butter and sugar together until light in color.
- Whisk in eggs, coconut milk, extract and evenly blend together.
- Stir the flour, baking powder, soda, and salt until again just blended together.
- Fold in the 1 cup of coconut
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake around 55 to 60 minutes using the toothpick method in the center to make sure it comes out clean.
- Cool completely.
- Split the loaf with a sharp knife fill with frosting, place the top back on add frosting to the top, and more coconut.
- Tip note: for fewer cake crumbs, freeze the cake on wax paper for around two hours then slice in half with a serrated edged knife.
- Cream Cheese Coconut Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar,
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup flaked or shredded coconut,( you can also toast it)
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth and loose, then add all ingredients (except the coconut) until light and fluffy.
- Garnish the middle and tops or sides with flaked coconut.
- Fill with frosting.
- For those who want jus a glaze:
- Mix 2 cups of powdered sugar with a few teaspoons of milk and keep adding until a light-flowing glaze is achieved.
- Drizzle over cooled loaf and garnish with shredded coconut.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
261.75Fat (grams)
12.26Sat. Fat (grams)
10.13Carbs (grams)
36.99Fiber (grams)
2.27Net carbs
34.71Sugar (grams)
28.81Protein (grams)
2.85Sodium (milligrams)
244.43Cholesterol (grams)
33.51Pin for later
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All I can say is Yum! I love coconut. This looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThis is perfectly yum!
ReplyDeleteso delicious!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is 'Mouth Watering'.
ReplyDelete@mother rimmy thank you :)
ReplyDelete@my little space thanks again
@ alison thank you
@lady mystery glad you like it! thanks
Oh goodness this is one of my most favorite cakes. SO creamy dreamy and good. Plus it is homemade all the way!!! Awesome
ReplyDeleteI don't know what but the picture makes me think of Christmas. Looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteI adore coconut, especially in a nice moist cake like this one and I can't wait to try this!
ReplyDelete@ laura
ReplyDelete@lasvegasadventured
@mommys kitchen
Glad you like this...hope you all try it, a wonderful cake for any coconut lover :)
this is an all time favorite at my house....I could take a bite right out of the picture it looks so good!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks absolutely delicious!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat coconut cake looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteOld fashioned, well looks very contemporary to me as fashion goes around in circles, what a beautiful cake well done gratz kisses xxx
ReplyDeletemmmh....my husband would LOVE this!!!! It looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore coconut and thank you for making me smile!
ReplyDeletevery nice, the cake looks soft as a pillow and the frosting is super moist - a coconut lovers dream for sure
ReplyDeleteThis looks great Claudia! I'm surrounded by coconuts on this tropical island and I've never tasted a coconut cream cake!!
ReplyDeleteLooking at this this morning definitely made my day. You did a beautiful job and this would go perfectly with my coffee right about now!
ReplyDeleteThis cake looks wonderful! Someone is having a little too much fun with fresh raspberries. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love love love love love this! Perfect for the 4th!
ReplyDeleteHoly smokes that looks good! I think I just gained 5 pounds looking at the picture :)
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious:)
ReplyDeleteIt's a summer beauty Claudia.Just put it on a blue plate and can you say, "Happy 4th of July?"
ReplyDeleteTropical flavors for summer - perfect!
Lovely cake! Love the coconut and raspberry combination!
ReplyDelete