- Prepare Your Workspace:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your cake pans. I prefer lining with parchment circles plus a light spray of cooking oil for guaranteed easy release. Nothing ruins a beautiful cake like it sticking to the pan.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together thoroughly. This step ensures even distribution of leavening agents for a perfectly uniform rise across your cake layers.
- Create The Base:
- Beat butter and sugar for a full 3 4 minutes until truly fluffy. Most bakers rush this crucial step, but patience here creates millions of tiny air bubbles that give your cake that cloud like texture. The mixture should lighten in color and look almost whipped.
- Build The Batter:
- Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. This prevents the batter from curdling and maintains the air structure. Add both extracts at this stage to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry Elements:
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and coconut milk in stages, starting and ending with flour. This technique prevents overmixing while ensuring everything blends smoothly. The batter should look silky but still hold some structure.
- Bake To Perfection:
- Pour into prepared pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25 30 minutes. The cake tops should spring back when lightly touched and appear golden around the edges.
- Cool Strategically:
- Allow the cakes to cool in pans for exactly 10 minutes. This timing allows the structure to set while still releasing easily. Then transfer to cooling racks to prevent condensation from making the bottoms soggy.
- Assemble and Decorate:
- Once completely cool, frost with coconut frosting and press shredded coconut around the sides. Work over a baking sheet to catch excess coconut for easy cleanup.
The coconut milk is truly the secret weapon in this recipe. I once tried substituting regular milk in a pinch, and while the cake was still good, it lacked that distinctive tropical richness that makes this cake so special. My grandmother always said a proper coconut cake should transport you to an island getaway with just one bite.
Achieving Perfect Texture
The cloud like texture comes from proper mixing technique and precise measurements. Overmixing after adding flour will develop gluten and create a tougher cake. Stop mixing as soon as ingredients are combined for the lightest result. Using cake flour instead of all purpose will create an even more delicate crumb, though I find the all purpose version holds up better when layered.
Make Ahead Options
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