After a completely unintentional three-week hiatus the arrival of my 27th birthday jolted me out of bloggy slumber. Huzzah! Did you miss me? I missed you. And though I haven’t had time to show it by posting, I’ve been doing a lot of baking these past few weeks and can’t wait to share the recipes with you. I made chocolate filled monkey bread on Halloween; cheesy, vegetable filled calzones for an impromptu evening with friends; and pumpkin stew served in roasted acorn squash bowls for a Fall inspired dinner. Only one more month until the semester is over! I am so doing a crazy happy dance in my head. Oodles of blogging time is a’comin.
So today is my 27th birthday and I am absolutely thrilled. Why? Well, aside from the obvious reason that I get to celebrate, I’m loving the fact that I can bake exactly what I want. Fellow foodies will understand how, once everyone knows you can cook or bake, it somehow becomes an unspoken rule that you will heroically bake the most complicated (yet delectable) dishes, cakes or cookies for whatever celebration you’re invited to. I don’t mind, in fact I love having the opportunity to bake something without having the responsibility of eating the whole thing myself. Yet sometimes I’ll want to make a chocolate cake, only to discover that the birthday girl doesn’t care for chocolate. (I KNOW, can you believe that? It’s happened, hand to God.) Or I’ll want to experiment with an exotic ingredient like black rice, only to find that no one else is quite as adventurous in the food department. Shucks.
Then once a year my birthday rolls around, which means that this year I decided we’d celebrate with a coconut layer cake with homemade frosting. No one argued when I shared my plans, but if they had I definitely would have used the birthday trump card. 
This cake is incredibly easy to make, but the best part is decorating it with coconut flakes because the only way to get them to stick is by making a complete mess on your kitchen counter. After gently dropping flakes onto the surface of the cake the sides simply beg for a dusting of their own and, well, a certain amount of controlled flinging involved. Can you blame me for enjoying that? It’s my inner child at work. The only thing that would have made this cake even more delightful is miniature figurines of people on sleds, which I would have used to decorate the top of this snow covered birthday mountain.
I want to write more but I’m afraid I must wrench myself away from the computer if I want to be ready for dinner. We’re going out to P.F. Changs then coming back here to polish off the rest of the coconut cake. Have a lovely evening!
Coconut Layer Cake with Homemade Frosting
From Southern Cakes by Nancie McDermott.
Ingredients:
For the cakes:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
For the frosting:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 egg whites (I actually used 3)
- About 3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, and use a fork to mix them together well. Stir the vanilla into the milk.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with a mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add the sugar and continue beating, stopping to scrape down the sides, until the mixture is light and evenly combined. Add the eggs, one by one, beating well each time, until the mixture is thick and smooth.
Add about one third of the flour mixture to the batter and beat well at low speed. Then add about half the milk to the batter, beating well. Continue beating as you add another third of the flour mixture, followed by the rest of the milk, and then the remaining flour mixture, beating well each time until the batter is very thick and smooth.
Quickly scrape the batter into the prepared cake pans, dividing it evenly, and place them in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 min until the cakes are golden brown, spring back when touched lightly in the center, and begin to pull away from the sides of the pans. (Note: I had to bake my cakes for 40 minutes before they achieved these characteristics.)
Remove from the oven, and cool in the pans on wire racks or folded kitchen towels for 10 minutes. Then turn out onto wire racks or plates, turning the layers top side up, and cool completely. You could also split the layers horizontally to make 4 thin layers of cake.
To make the icing, stir the sugar into the water to dissolve it. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and cook without stirring for 3 minutes. Then boil for 5 to 10 minutes more, stirring often, until the syrup has thickened and will form itself into a thread about 2 inches long when poured from a spoon back into the pot. Set syrup aside.
Beat the egg whites in a large bowl with a mixer at high speed until they are bright white, shiny, and pillow up into voluminous clouds. (Note: When separating your eggs make sure not even one speck of yolk gets into the whites. If any yolk gets in there it will change the chemical structure of the whites and they won’t take on the billowy appearance you so desire. Also, bring your eggs to room temperature before using them.) While beating at high speed, slowly pour the cooked syrup into the egg whites to blend them together into a fluffy white icing, 4 to 5 minutes.
To ice the cake place one cake layer, top side down, on a cake stand or serving plate. Cover the top with icing and sprinkle with coconut. Place the second layer on top of the iced layer, top side up. First ice the sides to help keep the cake steady, and then spread icing generously over the top, completely covering the cake. Place the cake stand or serving plate on a cookie sheet to catch any lose coconut as you shower the cake. Sprinkle the coconut all over the cake, and then gently pat or fling handfuls of coconut onto the sides and top to cover any bare spots.
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This entry was posted on Thursday, November 15th, 2007 by Ariela and is filed under Cakes, Desserts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
57 Comments.
1. Jennifer | November 15th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Happy birthday! I LOVE coconut cake, but Quinn doesn’t so I can’t remember the last time I had one like this. It reminds me of one my great aunt used to make. I’ll just enjoy it vicariously. Oh, and I’ve been drooling over that cookbook. Hopefully, I’ve dropped enough hints for it to show up under the Christmas tree.
2. caitlyn | November 15th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Happy birthday!
3. Kat | November 15th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Happy Birthday, what a lovely cake!
I love black rice, there are many farms in Japan that grow it. I had no idea it is not in many US stores.
4. annie | November 15th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Happy Birthday!! I am actually one of the freaks who dislikes chocolate cake, but I love coconut cake, and yours looks wonderful. Enjoy!!!!!
5. Alana | November 15th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Happy Happy Birthday, have a GREAT one!!
Your cake looks absolutely delicious!
6. Lydia | November 15th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Happy birthday, Ari! Have a wonderful celebration with this beautiful cake.
7. brilynn | November 15th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Happy Birthday!
I made my own birthday cake too, which some people didn’t understand, but this way you get exactly what you want!
8. Mandy | November 15th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
happy birthday, Ari! I am glad you to get to make what you like for your birthday!
9. Claire | November 15th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I knew you’d have a wonderful cake! Happy Birthday and welcome back.
10. Janice | November 15th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Happy Birthday, Ari. Coconut Cake is my favorite, well I like Caramel Cake, too. Oh, and what about Red Velvet — can’t forget that. And, gee, how can I not include Texas Sheet Cake (girls gotta have chocolate)…and the list goes on and on and on.
11. Paz | November 15th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Happy, happy birthday! May all your dreams continue to come true.
Best,
Paz
12. Sophie | November 15th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Happy Birthday Ari!
After all, it is your special day!
I am so glad you’re back. I missed you and your posts. Love the photo of coconut cake . Making your own cake on your birthday is great because like you said, you get to eat the type you like.
13. beastmomma | November 15th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Happy Birthday. I hope that you always get a slice of your favorite cake.
14. Jacque | November 15th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Happy Birthday !! and thank you for a wonderul site and taking the time to do all of this hard work. I don’t know how you do and I applaud you!!
Enjoy your birthday!!
15. Stacey | November 15th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Happy, Happy Brithday!!! Enjoy the rest, it sounds like you have been working tirelessly. And of course, enjoy the cake.
Glad you’re back, we missed you too!!
16. Susan | November 15th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Happy Birthday!!
17. lily | November 16th, 2007 at 12:35 am
happy birthday kiddo - hope you had a GREAT one! i will shove a giant piece of chocolate cake in my face for you!
happy happy –
xo
18. mallow | November 16th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Yay - glad you are back! Happy Birthday!
19. AndreaFoodie | November 16th, 2007 at 6:25 am
Happy Birthday Ari! That cake looks divine. I’m sure it must have tasted it too. I was JUST thinking about making a coconut cake of sorts the other day when I was in the grocery store. I’ll have to try this recipe.
P.S. Don’t forget to change your age in your “Words and Links” (i’m saying this because i love that little update section..it’s awesome). Toodles!
20. Helen | November 16th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Happy Birthday Ari! The cake looks so sumptuous and really frosty and seasonal. We had a frosty morning here in London today and a nice piece of cake and a cup of tea would have done the trick nicely! I can’t wait to get back online in my new home, I miss blogging! I must admit, I did have a little giggle when I thought of you flinging coconut at the sides of that cake…..:-)
21. Dana | November 16th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Happy birthday! Coconut cake is my FAVORITE, and I’ve had my eye on this recipe for a while! Now I definitely have to make it — maybe for my *half* birthday, which is coming up.
22. Teya | November 16th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Happy Happy Birthday. Coconut is always my birthday cake of choice. I made one from a Caprials cookbook this year. It had a coconut custard filling that was to live for.
23. Rosa | November 16th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Happy belated birthday! That cake looks really good! I’ve always loved that kind of treat with lots of icing…
Cheers,
Rosa
24. nik | November 16th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Happy birthday! And yes, we all missed you, too. I’m so glad you made a coconut cake. It’s one of my favorites. I hope you enjoyed every bite.
25. christianne | November 16th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Happy Birthday! I too love coconut cake…though if ever you’re in the mood to try a different recipe, Ina Garten has a great coconut cupcake recipe!
26. Abby | November 16th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Happy Birthday! I’ll be SO glad to see you back on here regularly! My husband’s birthday was yesterday, too! (11/15) And he ALSO turned 27. We had pancakes - his choice!
My mom makes coconut cakes for all the neighbors at Christmas - the kind with the milk/sugar mixture poured into holes you make in the baked cake? It stays refrigerated, obviously, but EVERYbody loves it!
27. jen | November 16th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Happy Birthday! And, I have to say, if someone baked for MY birthday, I’d love whatever what was served.
Then again, I’m a pretty adventurous foodie.
28. susan g | November 16th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Yes, you were missed, the the little daily updates make you come alive through the airwaves (?). Now that you’re a year older, we’ll look forward to diligent posting — when you can! Enjoy all the BD perks.
29. roberta isleib | November 16th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Happy birhday Ari! No one in my family bakes cakes except me–and the bakeries are all closed up in January–exhausted from the holidays. I think this year I’ll make myself your coconut cake!
30. Cynthia | November 16th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I’m a date late but a very happy birthday to you hon! And the cake?! As angelic as you.
31. JEP | November 16th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Happy Birthday & glad you are back to posting—-missed you!
32. peabody | November 16th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
What a great birthday treat!
33. Utenzi | November 17th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
A belated happy 27th birthday to you, Ari. I hope you had a great day and that this year brings you much happiness, academic progress and lots of wonderful food.
34. Anali | November 17th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Happy 27th Ari! What a yummy looking cake! ; )
35. Neil | November 17th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Happy belated! To a healthy and tasty year.
36. Ariela | November 17th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Thank you for the Happy Birthday wishes everyone! I only wish this blog were interactive so I could share some of my birthday cake with you.
37. Nabeela | November 17th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Happy birthday and what a lovely cake!
38. Kristi | November 17th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Happy Birthday, may you have lots of delicious food throughout the year!
39. Kristen | November 18th, 2007 at 1:18 am
Happy happy birthday to you! What a lovely cake.
40. Jacelyn | November 18th, 2007 at 1:45 am
Many happy returns to you, Ari!! May all your wishes come true! This cake crumb look utterly soft and wonderful. I didn’t know butter can churn out such a texture in cakes. Cause they usually tend to be more dense than it’s counterpart oil. =)
Gonna try my hands at this after my exams. And, thxs for stopping by my blog.
41. Kelly Mahoney | November 18th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Happy birthday and welcome back to blogging! Thanks for stopping by my site and giving me some feedback, too.
42. Erin | November 18th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Happy Birthday. First time here. Love your site. Great photos!
43. Traca | November 18th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Indeed. A winter wonderland in cake…it looks absolutely divine!
Cheers woman! I can’t believe you’re only 27…what a rich and wonderful life you have…Happy Birthday!
44. Angela | November 18th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Happy birthday!
Your cake looks excellent–nice and light. I love the marshmallow frosting, always a favourite in our household.
45. Nan | November 18th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Happy (belated) birthday! Your cake looks perfect :).
46. laane | November 19th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Happy birthday!
And thanks for the recipe.
My girls had their brithday yesterday. so I should have seen your site earlier.
I’m going to put a link to you in my blog, if that’s ok.
47. pom d'api | November 19th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Happy birthday! and more bonheur
48. Julie O'Hara | November 19th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Happy Birthday! I had the toughest time deciding what kind of cake to make for my b-day back in October. This is simple and good–very nice! That’s what I’m sticking with next year.
Julie
49. Pam | November 19th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Happy Birthday!!! A perfect cake to celebrate with….I love me some coconut!
50. charlotte s | November 19th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Happy Birthday! What a gorgeous picture! and the cake looks absolutely delicious! I just discovered your blog around your last post, and am excited you’ll be posting again soon! Wishing you luck with the end of your semester…
51. cheryl | November 19th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Happy Birthday you young little thing.
52. Kelly-Jane | November 19th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Happy Birthday!
Lovely cake, Southern Cakes has sooo many thing I’d like to make in it!
KJxx
53. cordelia | November 23rd, 2007 at 2:47 pm
happy belated birthday. that is one amazing looking cake - i love coconut! and you’re right on about a little figurine of someone sledding being the perfect topper.
54. C | November 23rd, 2007 at 6:55 pm
“Did you miss me? I missed you.”
TOTALLY did. Although it probably doesn’t seem like it since I waltzed all up in here weeks after your birthday with my HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I can’t believe you baked me a cake
55. Johnny | November 24th, 2007 at 12:23 am
oo, i love coconut. looks greatttt.
56. namie | December 6th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Then once a year my birthday rolls around, which means that this year I decided we’d celebrate with a coconut layer Cake with homemade frosting.
57. Tartelette | December 7th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Happy Belated birthday! The cake is one of my favorites and yours is just stunning!