Best Chocolate Coconut Cake Recipes

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT-PECAN CAJETA FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Melt the 12 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, add the muscovado and granulated sugars and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Add the coffee, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract and continue whisking until smooth and just combined. Add the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is smooth.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Invert the cakes onto the wire rack and let cool at least 1 hour before frosting.
• Make the frosting: Combine the whole milk, coconut milk and goat's milk in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Keep warm while you prepare the caramel.
• Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat and cook without stirring until a deep amber color, 8 to 10 minutes. Slowly and carefully whisk in the warm milk mixture and continue whisking until smooth. Add the vanilla seeds and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is reduced by half and the consistency of a caramel sauce, about 55 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, vanilla extract, salt and rum (if using). Transfer the sauce to a medium bowl and stir in the pecans and shredded coconut. Let the frosting cool to room temperature, stirring it occasionally, before frosting the cake.
• To assemble the cake, slice each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 cake layer on a cake round and spread one-third of the frosting evenly over the top. Repeat to make 3 layers, then top with the remaining cake layer, top-side up.
• Make the ganache: Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan. Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl, add the hot cream and the corn syrup and let sit for 30 seconds. Gently whisk until smooth. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Set the cake on a wire rack placed over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake, letting the excess drip down the sides. Sprinkle the top with toasted coconut and pecans. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before slicing.
• Slice the cake and top with a dollop of Coconut Whipped Cream.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE TEXAS SHEET CAKE WITH COCONUT-PECAN FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray an 11x17-inch sheet pan with cooking spray.
• Place chocolate and water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking until chocolate is almost melted, about 30 seconds longer. Remove from microwave and stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until stiff peaks form.
• Combine sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add egg yolks to the sugar mixture, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla extract.
• Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to sugar-butter mixture alternating with buttermilk, beating batter until well blended after each addition. Add egg whites and stir gently until incorporated. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 28 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.
• While cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. Combine evaporated milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks, and vanilla extract in a large saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in coconut and pecans. Mix the frosting until cooled but still spreadable. Spread on top of cooled cake.

COCONUT-RUM CAKE WITH LEMON CURD AND WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and lightly flour three 9-inch metal cake pans.
• Sift cake flour, baking powder, and salt for cake into a bowl and set aside. Whisk eggs, coconut milk, heavy cream, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl until well combined.
• Cream sugar and butter together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, scraping down as needed. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix on low speed until incorporated. Add 1/2 of the milk mixture and mix on low until evenly incorporated. Repeat, ending with remaining flour mixture, scraping down the bowl after each addition and mixing at medium speed until well incorporated, about 1 minute. Evenly split batter among the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and cakes are starting to pull away from the sides of the pans, 30 to 40 minutes. Allow to cool in the pans for 5 to 10 minutes; invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• While cakes cool, make lemon curd. Mix sugar and cornstarch well in a small bowl and set aside. Whisk whole eggs and egg yolks together in a small bowl and set aside.
• Heat lemon juice and zest in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until hot. Add sugar and cornstarch mixture all at once. Bring back to a simmer, stirring constantly. Whisk some of the hot lemon mixture into the eggs to temper them. Pour back into the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove curd from heat and add butter. Mix until smooth. Strain curd if necessary and place in a small bowl. Press plastic wrap against the surface and chill, at least 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make pastry cream. Mix sugar and cornstarch together in a small bowl. Whisk egg and egg yolk together in a small bowl until well mixed.
• Heat coconut milk in a small saucepan until simmering. Add sugar-cornstarch mixture and whisk until smooth and sugar is melted. Whisk some of the hot milk into the eggs to temper them. Pour back into the saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove pastry cream from heat and stir in butter and coconut rum; mix until smooth. Strain if necessary, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold, about 20 minutes.
• For the simple syrup, bring sugar, water, and rum to a boil in a medium saucepan. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool, 15 to 20 minutes.
• For the ganache, combine heavy cream, butter, corn syrup, and rum in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Pour hot cream mixture over chocolate and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Mix until smooth. Allow to cool to lukewarm, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Trim tops of cake layers to be flat, if needed. Place 1 cooled cake layer onto a serving plate. Brush with 1/2 of the simple syrup. Cover with 1/2 of the pastry cream. Drop spoonfuls of lemon curd on top and smooth out carefully. Repeat with a second layer and remaining syrup, pastry cream, and curd. Carefully place the third cake layer on top. Frost the entire cake with ganache and sprinkle toasted coconut over the sides and top.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT BUNDT CAKE

Steps:

• Can use a chocolate glaze if you prefer.
• Preheat oven to 350° degrees.
• Grease and flour a 10" bundt pan.
• Filling: In a small bowl, beat egg whites till foamy.
• Slowly add sugar while beating whites until stiff peaks form.
• Stir in flour and coconut and set mixture aside.
• Cake batter: In a large bowl, mix remaining ingredients.
• Beat for 2 minutes with mixer at medium speed.
• Pour about 1/3 to 1/2 of the batter into the pan.
• Spoon the coconut mixture evenly on top of the batter.
• Fill the pan with the remaining batter.
• Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes, or until cake tester inserted into center comes out clean.
• Let cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, remove from pan and finish cooling on rack.
• When cool, top with glaze.
• Confectioner's Sugar Glaze: In a small bowl, gradually stir milk into sugar, glaze should be thick enough to stay on the top of the cake, yet"drip" down the sides a bit.

BEST COCONUT CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, water and cocoa. Cook and stir until butter is melted; add to dry ingredients. Combine the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla; add to chocolate mixture and mix well. , Pour into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine 1 cup evaporated milk, 3/4 cup sugar and marshmallows; cook and stir until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat; stir in coconut. Immediately sprinkle 1 cup almonds over cake. Spread coconut mixture over top. Sprinkle with remaining almonds (pan will be full). , In a small saucepan, combine butter with remaining milk and sugar. Cook and stir until butter is melted. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate chips until melted. Drizzle over almonds. Cool on a wire rack.

1950 CHOCOLATE SAUERKRAUT CAKE (THINK COCONUT)

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl beat the sugar and eggs one at a time, beating together till light. Beat in the softened butter, and vanilla.
• 2. In a second bowl add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa. Mix well. Add this to the above creamed mixture. Stir in cut up sauerkraut. Add the water and mix all together. Put in a 9x13 cake pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Let cool an a rack. I normally just sprinkle cooled cake with powdered sugar. But if you want to frost..here is a wonderful recipe I just found on JAP. By Norene Dowell... " No Guilt Creme Cheese Frosting" Cut and serve when ready.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT PECAN FROSTING

Steps:

• Grease and flour the bottoms of 3 (9") round cake pans, and line with wax paper.
• Melt the chocolate and water in bowl over simmering water. (I don't have a double boiler!).
• Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Sift flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
• Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
• Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in chocolate and vanilla.
• Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
• Beat egg whites with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form.
• Fold into your batter.
• Pour evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes (or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean).
• Immediately run spatula between cakes and sides of pans.
• Cool 15 minutes; remove from pans.
• Remove wax paper and cool completely on wire racks.
• For the frosting:.
• Place milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks and vanilla in large saucepan.
• Stirring constantly, cook on medium heat 12 minutes or until thickened and golden brown.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in coconut and pecans.
• Cool to room temperature and of spreading consistency.
• Spread the coconut-pecan between each of the layers, and then over top and sides of whole cake.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with nonstick spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Sprinkle half of the shredded coconut on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until golden brown, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet.
• Combine the instant espresso and water in a measuring cup; stir until dissolved. Add to a medium bowl, along with the cake mix, vegetable oil and eggs. Beat for 2 minutes with a handheld mixer on medium speed. Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a baking rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, butter, coconut milk, salt and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Beat with a handheld mixer on medium speed until light, fluffy and smooth, about 4 minutes. Stir in the remaining (untoasted) coconut with a rubber spatula.
• If the cakes have domed in the center, trim to level the tops. Place one cake layer, up-side down, on a platter or plate. Spoon one-third of the frosting on top and spread evenly, almost completely to the edge. Place the other layer, up-side down, on top, pressing gently to anchor. Using an offset spatula, evenly frost the entire cake; if the frosting gets too soft, place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Gently press the toasted coconut around the outside of the cake and sprinkle it over the top.
• Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

THROWDOWN'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT-PECAN-CAJETA FROSTING, CHOCOLATE GANACHE AND COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For the cajeta filling/frosting:
• Bring the milk, coconut milk and goat's milk to a simmer over low heat in a small saucepan. Keep warm while you prepare the caramel.
• Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over high heat and cook (do not stir) until it becomes a deep amber brown color. Slowly whisk in the warm milk mixture and continue whisking until smooth; add the vanilla seeds and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is reduced by half and is the consistency of a caramel sauce, about 55 minutes.
• Once the sauce is reduced, remove from the heat and whisk in the cold butter, vanilla extract, salt and rum and whisk until combined. Transfer the sauce to a medium bowl and stir in the pecans and coconut. Let the frosting cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally before frosting the cake.
• For the ganache:
• Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over low heat. Put the chocolate into a medium bowl, add the hot cream and the corn syrup and let sit for 30 seconds. Gently whisk until smooth. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before pouring over the cake.
• For the chocolate cake:
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter 2 (9-inch) cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
• Melt the 12 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, add the sugars and whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Add the coffee, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract and continue whisking until smooth and just combined. Slowly add the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture until combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the 2 pans and bake on the middle rack until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 42 minutes. Let cool in the pans on a baking rack for 20 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto the baking rack and let cool for at least 1 hour before frosting. Slice each cake in half horizontally. Put 1 cake layer on a cake round or platter and spread 1/3 of the frosting evenly over the top, repeat to make 3 layers and top with the remaining cake layer, top side up. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
• For the coconut whipped cream:
• Combine the heavy cream, coconut milk, sugar, rum and vanilla in a stand mixer and mix until soft peaks form. Slice the cake, top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with some of the toasted coconut.

WHITE CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, 3/4 cup cream of coconut and egg whites; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 22-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, in a small saucepan, combine the evaporated milk, chips, cream cheese, 3 tablespoons heavy cream and remaining cream of coconut; cook and stir over low heat until chips are melted., Remove from the heat; stir in 1-1/2 cups coconut and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Transfer to a large bowl; cover and refrigerate until mixture reaches spreading consistency, stirring occasionally., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat remaining cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and remaining vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form., Place bottom cake layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the filling. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake; sprinkle with remaining coconut. Refrigerate leftovers.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE FROM KING ARTHUR FLOUR®

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan or an 8-inch square cake pan.
• Sift together the coconut flour and baking powder, mixing to combine; set aside.
• In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter with the cocoa, stirring until well blended.
• Whisk the sugar, salt, vanilla, and eggs into the butter-cocoa mixture. Add the coconut flour and baking powder, whisking until smooth.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
• Bake the loaf or cake until set, and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean. This will take 35 to 45 minutes for the loaf pan, or 30 to 35 minutes for the square pan.
• Cool the cake in the pan for 30 minutes before turning it out onto a rack to cool completely. The cake is easiest to slice when it's completely cool.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CARAMEL-COCONUT-ALMOND FILLING

Steps:

• For Cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottoms with waxed paper. Butter waxed paper. Combine chocolate, 1 cup water and espresso powder in heavy small saucepan. Stir over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Cool completely, stirring occasionally.
• Using electric mixer, beat brown sugar and butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate mixture and vanilla and beat until blended. Sift four, baking soda, baking powder and salt into medium bowl. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture alternately with sour cream in 3 additions, beginning with dry ingredients and beating well after each addition.
• Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Using small knife, cut around sides of pans to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto racks. Remove waxed paper; cool completely.
• For filling:
• Combine sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling occasionally, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Carefully add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Place pan over medium low heat and stir until caramel bits melt, about 5 minutes. Stir in coconut and 1 cup almonds. Cool filling until thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.
• For Frosting:
• Melt butter and chocolate in heavy small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Transfer to large bowl. Stir in vanilla. Whisk in 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/4 cup sour cream. Whisk in remaining powdered sugar and sour cream.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread half of filling evenly over top, leaving 1/2-inch border. Top with second cake layer. Spread with remaining filling, leaving 1/2-inch boarder. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread frosting over sides and top of cake. Press 2 cups sliced almonds onto sides of cake. Using pastry spatula, swirl frosting on top of cake decoratively. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; store at room temperature.)

GARTH BROOK'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT FROSTING

Steps:

• Prepare the chocolate by melting it in the top of a double boiler, stirring until it is smooth. add 1/4 cup of the butter and stir until it is melted and blended. Add 1/4 cup of warm milk and stir until smooth. Set the chocolate aside to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 350*F.
• Line the bottoms only of 3 9" cake pans with circles of parchment paper, or grease each pan bottom only with solid shortening and dust lightly with flour. Sift together the sifted and measured flour, baking soda, and salt.
• Whip the egg whites until stiff using the wire beater of the mixer. Transfer the beaten whites to a separate bowl and set aside.
• In the mixer bowl, cream the remaining 1 1/2 sticks of butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg yoks one at a time, beating well after each addition(Trisha says separated egg yolks will slide easily and individually from a small bowl if the bowl is rinsed with water first). Add the melted, cooled chocolate and the vanilla. Mix well.
• With the mixer on very low, stir in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Do this by adding about a third of the flour and slowly stirring it in completely. Then add about half the buttermilk and stir it inches Continue adding flour and buttermilk in this manner, ending with flour. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and stir again. With a long handled spoon or spatula, fold and stir the beaten egg whites into the batter until the batter is smooth with no visible clumps of whites.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes. Bake on the middle rack of the oven, allowing at least 1/4" clearance between the pans and the oven walls. The cake will rise above the pan edges as it bakes but will not spill over and will settle back down as it continues to bake. The cake is done when it begins to pull away from the sides of the pans and springs back to a light touch. Cool layers in the pans for about 8 minutes.
• Run a knife around the edges of each pan and turn the layers out onto wire racks that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Cool layers completely before frosting.
• To make the frosting:.
• Combine the sugar, egg yolks, and evaporated milk in the top of a double boiler. Stir with a wire whisk until the yolks are fully incorporated. Add the butter. Place over simmering water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 12-15 minutes longer, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Add the vanilla, coconut, and nuts. cool.
• To assemble the cake, place one layer on a cake stand and spread with frosting. Frost each layer completely, top and sides, as it is added to the cake.
• Note:.
• You can also make the frosting in a regular saucepan, but be sure to stir it constantly, as it scorches easily. Also, you MUST use the finely grated fresh or frozen coconut, not canned or shredded, to be able to spread the frosting on the sides of the cake easlily.
• Another note from Trisha's sister, Gwen:.
• Refrigerate the cake after it's frosted. Before serving, touch up any frosting that may have run down the sides.
• Hint: Trisha says if you use a lot of sweet baking chocolate, you can purchase it in bulk online at www.cocoasupply.com. Choose La Equatoriale-Dark Chocolate Coverture. The cost, including postage, is half what you would probaly pay in grocery stores. Share the large bar with your friends who bake. I haven't checked this out, but you might want to.

COCONUT CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. Reserve 1/3 cup coconut milk for frosting.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, remaining coconut milk (1 1/3 cups), the water and egg whites with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in 1/2 cup of the coconut until well combined. Pour into pan.
• Bake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool completely; about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart bowl, microwave vanilla baking chips uncovered on High about 30 seconds or until melted. Stir; if chips are not completely melted, microwave 15 seconds longer, then stir until all chips are melted. Stir in powdered sugar, butter, reserved 1/3 cup coconut milk and the vanilla. Cover; refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes. (If frosting becomes too firm to spread, microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds to soften; stir until smooth.)
• Spread frosting over cake. Immediately sprinkle top with 1/4 cup coconut. Store loosely covered.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT FUDGE CANDY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch square cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out excess.
• Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk the melted butter, buttermilk, egg, vanilla and 1/2 cup water together in another bowl until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking until just combined. Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through cooking, until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
• Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Discard the parchment paper and flip the cakes right side up again. Let the cakes cool completely.
• Make the coconut filling: Pulse the coconut in a food processor until finely chopped and transfer to a large bowl. Combine the gelatin with 2 tablespoons cold water in a small microwaveable bowl and let stand for 5 minutes to soften. Heat the gelatin in the microwave until it melts completely, about 10 seconds, stirring to dissolve. Add the gelatin mixture, cream cheese, sour cream, coconut milk, sugar, vanilla and coconut extracts and salt to a food processor and process until smooth, at least 1 minute. Scrape the mixture into the bowl containing the chopped coconut and mix until evenly combined. Let the mixture sit until it is just thick enough to spread, about 10 minutes. (Do not let the filling firm up too much.)
• Place one cake on a cake stand and pile the coconut filling in the center, spreading it in a thick layer almost to the edge. Top with the remaining cake, aligning the layers directly on top of each other so the cake does not lean. Refrigerate the assembled cake for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the chocolate ganache: Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan then remove from the heat. Add the chocolate, shaking the pan gently to submerge it. Allow the pan to stand, off the heat, for 3 minutes to melt the chocolate. Whisk the ganache until smooth, then refrigerate until it is just thick enough to spread (like mayonnaise), about 15 minutes. (Do not let the ganache harden too much.)
• Stir the ganache again and scoop it on top of the cake, spreading it over the top and sides. Make a swirl pattern on the top with a spatula to resemble a coconut candy. Refrigerate the cake until the ganache is set, at least 1 hour or overnight.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT-PECAN FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment paper, and coat with cooking spray. Dust with flour, tapping out excess. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
• Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk. Beat in chocolate. Pour batter into prepared pan, and smooth top.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. Remove cake from pan, peel off parchment, and let cool completely on rack. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour (or overnight) to make it easier to slice.
• Using a serrated knife, slice cake horizontally into 3 layers. Spread 1/3 of the frosting over bottom layer. Repeat, layering cake and frosting, finishing with frosting. Mound coconut in center, and arrange pecan halves around edge.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH RASPBERRY & COCONUT FILLING

Steps:

• Chocolate Layer Cake In a large bowl beat margarine at medium speed until creamy.
• Gradually add sugar and beat until fluffy.
• Add egg whites and whole egg one at a time and mix well.
• In a separate container combine buttermilk and water.
• In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder, stir to mix.
• With mixer at medium speed add flour mixture alternating with buttermilk/water to the margarine mixture.
• Add vanilla extract and mix in well.
• Lightly coat 2 8-inch cake pans with vegetable spray and pour batter evenly into both pans.
• Bake at 350F for 22-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool in wire rack 10 minutes.
• Remove from pans and continue to cool.
• Raspberry Coconut Filling Empty jar of raspberry preserves in a medium meshed strainer.
• Using the back of a spoon press out the"jelly" and retain the seeds.
• Mix the"jelly" with the coconut, coconut extract, and orange rind.
• Add about 1-2 T of the seeds back into the jelly mixture.
• (this is optional if you don't care for seeds).
• When cake is completely cooled spread a layer of the filling just to about 1/2" from the cakes edge.
• Set aside remaining filling.
• Sprinkle a layer of coconut flakes on top of the filling.
• Add top layer of cake.
• Frosting (Use a large double boiler as this recipe makes 4 cups) Fill the bottom of the double boiler with water and set to boil.
• Combine the first 4 ingredients in the TOP of the double boiler.
• Beat with an electric hand mixer at medium speed just to blend ingredients.
• Place top over boiling water and beat constantly at high speed for about 9 minutes, or until stiff peaks form.
• Remove from heat.
• Add vanilla and coconut extracts and mix for 1 additional minute.
• It should be at a spreading consistency now, if not continue to beat.
• Spread over top of cake and lightly sprinkle with coconut flakes (lightly toasted is nice also).
• Mix enough of the coconut flakes with the remaining filling so that you can press to"stick" it to the side of cake.

COCONUT CRUNCH CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch springform pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, stir together cream of coconut and vanilla.
• Beat butter and coconut oil on medium-high until smooth. Slowly add sugar; beat until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium; add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with 2 batches of cream-of-coconut mixture. Beat until just combined.
• Topping: In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites and salt until thick and frothy, about 1 minute. Stir in milk and vanilla. Fold in coconut.
• Spread cake batter in pan. Pour topping over batter; carefully spread in an even layer. Bake on a rimmed baking sheet until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs, about 1 hour (tent with foil if browning too quickly).
• Chocolate Sauce: In a small saucepan, bring heavy cream and sugar almost to a boil, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Pour over chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Stir until smooth, then stir in vanilla.
• Let cake cool completely; remove from pan. Cut into wedges, drizzle with chocolate sauce, and serve with extra sauce on the side.

COCONUT-MACAROON CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray bottoms and sides of 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, beat Cake ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide evenly between pans.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In large bowl, beat marshmallow creme, softened butter, vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the milk with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. If necessary, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time, until spreading consistency.
• Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread 3/4 cup frosting on top; top with second cake layer. Frost top with thin layer of frosting; spread remaining frosting around side. Press coconut up side of cake. Refrigerate while preparing chocolate ganache.
• Meanwhile, in small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and whipping cream uncovered on High 30 to 50 seconds; stir. Continue to microwave in 10-second increments until chips can be stirred smooth. Let stand at room temperature 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and still pourable. Pour chocolate mixture over top of cake to cover, letting some drip down side. Return cake to refrigerator about 30 minutes or until chocolate sets up. If refrigerating cake longer than 30 minutes, let cake stand 15 minutes before cutting. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

COCONUT CHOCOLATE CAKE II

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions for two 9 inch round pans, except substitute brewed coffee for the water. Cool cakes completely.
• Make the Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil. Add the marshmallows and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in coconut.
• Assemble the cake: Place bottom layer on serving plate. Spread with entire coconut filling. Cover top and sides with fudge frosting. Refrigerate.