When it comes to cakes, the South seems to do it right—look at all these amazing Southern cake recipes! A favorite among all these classic desserts, though, has to be the coconut cake. There are plenty of variations on this decadent dessert, but to really make a coconut cake sing, we talked to an expert: Sally Good, head baker at Queen of Tarts Bakery in Lubbock, Texas.
The Queen of Coconut Cake
Sally has a lifelong obsession with coconut cake. In 1968, she won a swan-shaped coconut cake at a school fair. “I fell head-over-heels in love,” she said of that cake. Later, she made it a personal goal to make a cake that lived up to that original.
In 2007, she developed the recipe that would become Queen of Tarts’ signature bake. “The result was a three-layer cake that was uber-moist and a little on the heavy side—our version weighs over 10 pounds!” she said. Queen of Tarts’ coconut cake is filled with coconut at every stage: in the cake batter, the syrup, the frosting and the topping. Served up with lemon sauce, this cake is the talk of the Texas High Plains and beyond.
What makes this cake so special? Sally filled us in on how any coconut cake can be given some Queen of Tarts flair.
How to Make the Best Coconut Cake
While Sally won’t give away her top-secret recipe (we don’t blame her!), she does have a few tips that’ll take any coconut cake to the next level of delicious.
- Use buttermilk: Sally recommends using buttermilk in your cake recipe. Buttermilk adds a richness of flavor and it helps produce more tender cakes. Don’t have any on hand? Here’s how to make buttermilk at home.
- Don’t forget a syrup: Moist cake is good cake. To ensure that your cake is as scrumptious as possible, Sally recommends brushing each layer with a syrup—either coconut or almond. Here’s how to make simple syrup at home—just add a bit of almond extract or cream of coconut to add flavor.
- Add cream of coconut throughout: Sally’s coconut cake is known for its big coconut flavor. She achieves this by adding cream of coconut at every step. “Replace some of the oil or butter in your cake recipe with cream of coconut, add some of the liquid cream of coconut to an almond-flavored syrup for brushing over the layers and, finally, use some of the hardened cream of coconut to your cream cheese frosting,” she recommends.
- Top with two kinds of coconut: Many cakes are just finished with a simple coating of sweetened, shredded coconut, but Sally recommends you don’t stop at just one kind. “I use two kinds of coconut tossed together for the topping: frozen, unsweetened and toasted flaked coconut, sweetened.” Toasting the coconut is key to adding more flavor.
All of Sally’s tips ensure that your cake will be positively decadent and packed full of tasty coconut flavor.
Use These Tips with Our Coconut Cake Recipes
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Coconut-White Chocolate Cheesecake
Friends have suggested over and over that I submit this creation to a magazine because it's so good. For the best texture, make sure not to overmix the batter. —Jamie Harris, Danville, Illinois
Favorite Coconut Cake
When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I depend on. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Pina Colada Tube Cake
We named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Coconut Italian Cream Cake
I’d never tasted an Italian cream cake before moving to Colorado. Now I bake for people in the area, and this beauty is one of my most requested treats. —Ann Bush, Colorado City, Colorado
Coconut Dream Cupcakes
My daughter, Elizabeth, came up with this incredible recipe. The cream cheese in the middle is a fun surprise when someone takes their first bite. —Julie Flournoy, Laurelville, OH
Cranberry Coconut Cake with Marshmallow Cream Frosting
Filled with a homemade cranberry curd and smothered with one of the fluffiest frostings you've ever had, this tall cake will make a memorable impression at any gathering. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Pina Colada Cake
As an avid baker, I wanted to create something that was mine and from my heart. I wanted to make a cake that tasted like the perfect pina colada drink, and I feel like I accomplished just that with this recipe. —Stephanie McShan, Apopka, Florida
Coconut Chiffon Cake
Toasted coconut adds visual appeal to this tall and impressive cake. With an airy texture and heavenly coconut-ginger flavor,it's a lovely end to meals throughout the year.
Coconut Poppy Seed Cake
This moist coconut cake is definitely one of my most-requested desserts. Use different cake mixes and pudding flavors for variety. —Gail Cayce, Wautoma, Wisconsin
Six-Layer Coconut Cake with Lemon Filling
I found this recipe when going through my grandmother's old files. It was originally made with an orange filling, but using lemon pudding in the filling makes it easier to prepare. It is simply the best. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsvlle, Virginia
Chocolate-Glazed Coconut Almond Cheesecake
My idea was to make a cheesecake taste like my favorite candy bar, which has chocolate, coconut and almonds. This cheesecake also works in bite size. Use a mini muffin pan with muffin liners, fill 3/4 full and bake 15-17 minutes. Allow to sit and cool completely before topping with chocolate, coconut and almonds. —Keri Brammer, Lawton, Oklahoma
Coconut Cream Cake
Have the urge to splurge? Try Deborah Protzman's moist and mouthwatering cake. "No one who's ever eaten a piece can believe it's lower in fat"—Deborah Protzman, Bloomington, Illinois.
Lemon-Filled Coconut Cake
One of my coworkers brought this cake to a luncheon almost 40 years ago. It was so delicious that I asked for the recipe. I have baked it ever since, and it's always a hit! —Jackie Bergenheier, Wichita Falls, Texas
Chocolate-Coconut Angel Cupcakes
My guests are never satisfied with just one of these, but that's OK because they are so light. The meringue-like tops make them different, and the chocolate and coconut make them memorable. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Lime Coconut Cheesecake
This refreshing cheesecake's delicate flavor is complemented by a coconut crust. —Inge Schermerhorn, East Kingston, New Hampshire
Coconut-Layered Pound Cake
If you love chocolate, almonds and coconut, this cake is for you. It comes together in a flash and tastes just like an Almond Joy candy bar! —Linda L. Nichols, Steubenville, Ohio
Incredible Coconut Cake
I found this coconut cake recipe in a newspaper many years ago and modified it to suit my taste. This is my all-time favorite cake, and my family and friends absolutely love it. —Lynne Bassler, Indiana, Pennsylvania
Island Crunch Cheesecake
Inspiring ideas come from many places, and often when we least expect them. I enjoy making cheesecakes for family and friends, and I came up with this recipe after eating ice cream on vacation. Featuring pineapple and coconut, this cheesecake will remind you of a trip to an island paradise. —Ellen Batenhorst, Omaha, Nebraska
Cherry-Coconut Chocolate Torte
This torte reminds me of two favorite treats: chocolate covered cherries and old-fashioned Cherry Mash candy bars. —Dian Hicks Carlson, Omaha, Nebraska
Chocolate & Coconut Cream Torte
My grandmother passed this recipe down to me years ago and now I make it for my own grandchildren. When preparing, make sure the chocolate layer is properly chilled before adding the next layer, or the coconut will sink into it. —Jason Purkey, Ocean City, Maryland
Coconut Pecan Cupcakes
Pecan lovers have lots to cheer about with these flavorful cupcakes. I created the recipe for my best friend, Ann, who said she loved Italian cream cake but didn't want a whole cake. They have a wonderful aroma and fabulous flavor. —Tina Harrison, Prairieville, Louisiana
Coconut Tres Leches Cupcakes
Three types of milk wonderfully moisten these cupcakes. Toasted coconut on top adds an elegant touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lime Angel Food Cake
For my husband's family reunion, I took a store-bought angel food cake and turned it into this special dessert with a lovely lime cream frosting topped with toasted coconut. It went over big! —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
The post How to Make Coconut Cake Like a Real Southerner appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lisa Kaminski