Best Toasted Coconut Cake Recipes

THROWDOWN'S TOASTED COCONUT CAKE WITH COCONUT FILLING AND COCONUT BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Spread the coconut evenly onto a baking sheet and toast until lightly golden brown, stirring once, 8 to 10 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the coconut sit in the oven until very dry and crunchy, about 15 minutes longer.
• Bring water and sugar to a boil. Stir in the coconut, remove from the heat and let sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. Strain the liquid into a clean saucepan, bring to a boil and let cook until the mixture is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• Combine the milks and vanilla bean and seeds in a medium nonreactive saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat.
• Whisk together the yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl. Slowly whisk the warm milk into the egg mixture then return the mixture to the pot over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until thickened. Scrape the mixture into a bowl and whisk in the rum and vanilla extract. Let cool to room temperature then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.
• Combine the custard and cream in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form.
• Beat the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the coconut custard and salt and beat until combined and smooth.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour 2 (9 by 2-inch) round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the milk, egg whites, vanilla bean seeds and vanilla extract in a medium bowl.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. With mixer running at low speed, add the butter, one piece at a time and continue beating until mixture resembles moist crumbs. Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture to crumbs and beat at medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about 1 1/2 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add remaining 1/2 cup of the milk mixture, increase speed to medium and beat 30 seconds more. Scrape sides of bowl and mix for 20 seconds longer. Divide the batter evenly between the cakes pan and smooth the tops using a rubber spatula.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 22 to 24 minutes. Cool in the pan on baking rack for 10 minutes. Run a small knife around the side of the pan and invert cakes onto the baking rack, removing parchment paper, and let cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• Using a long serrated knife, slice each cake horizontally into 2 layers. Reserve 1 of the flat bottom layers for the top of the cake. Place another layer on a cardboard round cut side up and brush with some of the coconut simple syrup. Spoon 1/3 of the coconut filling onto the cake and using a small offset metal spatula, spread it into an even layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the cake. Repeat with 2 more layers. Brush the cut side of the reserved cake layer with the remaining syrup. Place the layer cut side down on top of the cake.
• Frost the sides and top of the cake with the buttercream. Pat the coconut onto the sides of the cake and sprinkle the remaining coconut on the top of the cake.

TOASTED COCONUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch cake pans, then fit each with a parchment round. Butter and flour the parchment.
• Separate the eggs into whites and yolks. Set the yolks aside. Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks, then set aside until ready to use.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the granulated sugar, butter and coconut oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer or with a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks, coconut cream and vanilla and beat until just combined. Alternate adding the buttermilk and flour mixture to the butter mixture, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the beaten whites until completely incorporated, but keeping the volume!
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cakes comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Let cool for about 5 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• For the coconut cream cheese frosting: Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer or in a bowl with a hand mixer until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the coconut extract and salt, then slowly start to add the powdered sugar, beating it in a little at a time. Beat until all the sugar is combined and the frosting is stiff but still light and fluffy. Add more sugar if it is too loose, or a little milk if it is too thick. Set aside at room temperature until you are ready to decorate.
• If the cakes have domed at all, shave down any uneven parts to make the tops of the cakes flat and smooth.
• Spread 1 tablespoon frosting on a cake plate or stand; this will help keep the cake in place while you decorate. Place one cake cut-side up on the plate. Dollop about 1 cup frosting on top of the cake and spread it in an even layer using a spatula, knife or spoon. Place the second cake on top of the first. Add another 2 cups frosting to the top of the cake and smooth it over the top and down the sides. Repeat with any remaining frosting until the outside of the cake is frosted and smooth. Using your hands, press the toasted coconut into the sides of the cake and sprinkle it on the top, so that the entire cake is covered in toasted coconut.
• Slice and serve, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

TOASTED COCONUT COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Coffee-cake topping:
• Combine 1/2 cup flour, coconut, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Toss in melted butter and set aside.
• Batter:
• Preheat the oven to 325°F Lightly coat a 9-inch round springform pan with a little of the softened butter and set aside. Combine the remaining flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and set aside. Beat the egg yolks, remaining brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla using an electric mixer set on high speed until the mixture is thick and pale yellow, about 2 minutes. Mix in the remaining butter and the sour cream. Reduce mixer speed to low, add flour mixture, and mix.
• Cake:
• Pour batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle with topping, and bake on the middle rack of the oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 55-60 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Release the cake from the pan. Serve warm. Enjoy!

TOASTED COCONUT CAKE WITH COCONUT FILLING AND BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-by-2-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Whisk together the milk, egg whites, vanilla seeds and vanilla extract in a medium bowl.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the 2 1/4 cups flour, the sugar, baking powder and salt. With the mixer running on low speed, add the 12 tablespoons butter, one piece at a time, and continue beating until the mixture resembles moist crumbs. Add all but 1/2 cup of the milk mixture and beat on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1 1/2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the remaining 1/2 cup milk mixture. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 30 seconds more. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix for 20 seconds longer. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and smooth the tops with a rubber spatula.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 22 to 24 minutes. Cool in the pans on a baking rack for 10 minutes. Run a small knife around the sides of the pans and invert the cakes onto the baking rack. Remove the parchment paper and let cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• Make the coconut filling: Combine the Coconut Custard and cream in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form.
• Make the coconut buttercream: Beat the butter and confectioners' sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the Coconut Custard and salt; beat until the buttercream is smooth.
• Assemble the cake: Use a long serrated knife to slice each cake horizontally into 2 layers. Reserve one of the flat bottom layers for the top of the cake. Place another one of the layers on a cardboard round, cut-side up, and brush with some of the Coconut Simple Syrup. Spoon one-third of the coconut filling onto the cake, and using a small offset metal spatula, spread it into an even layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the cake. Repeat with 2 more layers. Brush the cut side of the reserved cake layer with the remaining syrup. Place the layer, cut-side down, on top of the cake. Frost the sides and the top of the cake with the buttercream. Pat the toasted coconut onto the sides of the cake and sprinkle some on the top.
• Combine the milk, coconut milk and vanilla bean and seeds in a medium nonreactive saucepan; bring to a simmer over low heat.
• Whisk the egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch together in a large bowl. Slowly whisk the warm milk into the egg mixture. Return the mixture to the pan, set it over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened. Scrape the mixture into a bowl, remove the vanilla bean and whisk in the rum and vanilla extract. Let the custard cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.
• Combine 1 1/2cups water and the sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in the coconut, remove from the heat and let sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
• Strain the liquid into a clean saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Let cool.

LEMON CAKE WITH TOASTED COCONUT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan. Spread coconut on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Remove and let cool while you prepare the cake. Leave the oven on.
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
• Whisk eggs and sugar together in another large bowl until very well combined. Stir in milk, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract; mix until well combined. Fold in dry ingredients and add coconut. Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.

TOASTED COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 330 degrees F.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, butter and oil until well blended. Add the egg yolks 1 at a time and beat well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add one-quarter of the dry ingredients to the sugar-butter mixture followed by one-quarter of the yogurt, beating well after each addition. Then add half of the remaining dry ingredients followed by the remaining yogurt, beating well after each addition. Beat in the remaining dry ingredients and stir in the coconut.
• In a separate bowl with an electric mixer and the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold half of the egg whites into the batter, then fold in the remaining whites.
• Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans. Divide the batter among the pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then remove from the pans onto a rack to cool completely.
• For the cream cheese frosting: In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until well incorporated. Add the extract and mix until incorporated. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and beat until smooth.
• Place one of the cake layers on a serving plate. Spread about a third of the frosting onto the cake layer and generously sprinkle some toasted coconut on top. Repeat with the second layer. Top with the final layer and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle with remaining toasted coconut. Keep refrigerated until serving.

TOASTED COCONUT-TOPPED BLUEBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x9-inch square baking pan.
• Whisk 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt together in a mixing bowl; set aside. Toss the blueberries in a little of the flour mixture until coated; set aside.
• Beat the shortening and 1 cup sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Pour in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing until just incorporated. Fold in the floured blueberries, mixing just enough to evenly combine. Pour the batter into prepared pan.
• To make the topping, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup flour, and the cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender until no small pieces of butter remain. Stir in the toasted coconut, then sprinkle the topping evenly over the cake.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

TOASTED COCONUT POUND CAKE WITH MANGO-LIME SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter two 5-by-9-inch loaf pans. Combine flour and salt in a bowl.
• Cream butter and sugar with a mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy, for 8 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl. Reduce speed to medium, and add vanilla extract.
• Lightly beat eggs, and add to mixer bowl in 4 additions, mixing thoroughly after each and scraping down sides. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture in 4 additions, mixing until just incorporated. Fold sweetened shredded coconut into finished batter. Divide batter between pans. Tap on counter to distribute; smooth tops. Before baking, sprinkle additional coconut over each cake; tent with foil.
• Bake until a tester inserted into center of each cake comes out clean, about 65 minutes. Let cool in pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire rack.
• Make mango-lime sauce: Puree chopped mango,lime juice,sugar,and a pinch of saltin a food processor until smooth. Top with diced mangoand lime zest.

TOASTED COCONUT CAKE (BOBBY FLAY)

Steps:

• For the toasted coconut: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread the coconut evenly onto a baking sheet and toast until lightly golden brown, stirring once, 8 to 10 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the coconut sit in the oven until very dry and crunchy, about 15 minutes longer.
• For the simple syrup: Bring water and sugar to a boil. Stir in the coconut, remove from the heat and let sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. Strain the liquid into a clean saucepan, bring to a boil and let cook until the mixture is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• For the custard: Combine the milks and vanilla bean and seeds in a medium nonreactive saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat.
• Whisk together the yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl. Slowly whisk the warm milk into the egg mixture then return the mixture to the pot over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until thickened. Scrape the mixture into a bowl and whisk in the rum and vanilla extract. Let cool to room temperature then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.
• For the filling: Combine the custard and cream in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form.
• For the buttercream: Beat the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the coconut custard and salt and beat until combined and smooth.
• For the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour 2 (9 by 2-inch) round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the milk, egg whites, vanilla bean seeds and vanilla extract in a medium bowl.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. With mixer running at low speed, add the butter, one piece at a time and continue beating until mixture resembles moist crumbs. Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture to crumbs and beat at medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about 1 1/2 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add remaining 1/2 cup of the milk mixture, increase speed to medium and beat 30 seconds more. Scrape sides of bowl and mix for 20 seconds longer. Divide the batter evenly between the cakes pan and smooth the tops using a rubber spatula.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 22 to 24 minutes. Cool in the pan on baking rack for 10 minutes. Run a small knife around the side of the pan and invert cakes onto the baking rack, removing parchment paper, and let cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• To Assemble: Using a long serrated knife, slice each cake horizontally into 2 layers. Reserve 1 of the flat bottom layers for the top of the cake. Place another layer on a cardboard round cut side up and brush with some of the coconut simple syrup. Spoon 1/3 of the coconut filling onto the cake and using a small offset metal spatula, spread it into an even layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the cake. Repeat with 2 more layers. Brush the cut side of the reserved cake layer with the remaining syrup. Place the layer cut side down on top of the cake.
• Frost the sides and top of the cake with the buttercream. Pat the coconut onto the sides of the cake and sprinkle the remaining coconut on the top of the cake.

DARK GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH TOASTED ALMOND-COCONUT GOO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Spread the coconut and almonds on separate baking sheets and toast, stirring occasionally, just until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Line the bottom and sides of a 14 by 17-inch baking sheet (with sides) with parchment or waxed paper. Sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Transfer to a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or use a hand mixer) and blend briefly.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla extract. Add to the dry ingredients and mix at low speed for 5 minutes. Gradually add the hot water, mixing at low speed just until combined. The batter will be quite thin. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay), 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the pan.
• Caramel: Pour the sugar into the center of a deep saucepan. Carefully pour the water around the sugar, trying not to splash any sugar onto the sides of the pan. Do not stir; gently draw your finger through the center of the sugar to moisten it. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil without stirring. Reduce the heat to a fast simmer and cook without stirring until amber-caramel in color, 10 to 20 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat. Using a wooden spoon, slowly and carefully stir in the cream (it will bubble up and may splatter). Stir in the toasted coconut and almonds. Set aside.
• When ready to serve, cut the room-temperature cake in the pan into 6 even strips, each 3 inches wide. Using diagonal strokes of the knife, cut each strip into 4 triangles. If the sauce has stiffened, rewarm it over low heat (or in a microwave) until softened. Place a triangle on each plate, drizzle with sauce, and rest another triangle on top at a different angle. Drizzle with more sauce and serve.

TOASTED BUTTER PECAN COCONUT POUND CAKE W/FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. PLEASE NOTE: These were my notes for this cake. This cake will require some time & patience to make, but your family and friends will thank you for your efforts. I baked this cake a day in advance, then took it to Ohio, and made the frosting and put it all together. If you do Not have a really large bundt pan you may need to bake it in two smaller ones. The frosting is enough for one large cake, or make one and a half times the frosting recipe for a layer cake or if you make two smaller ones. I USED A 30 CUP CAPACITY BUNDT PAN TO MAKE THIS CAKE.
• 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place pecans on a shallow long pan, spreading out, and toast for 10 to 15 minutes. Chop to a medium coarse size and set aside till needed.
• 3. Measure and sift flour into a medium size bowl.
• 4. Add the butter scotch pudding and stir to blend.
• 5. Add salt, baking powder, & blend together. Set aside till needed.
• 6. Separate eggs into 2 separate bowls. Beat egg whites till stiff peaks form. If it is cloudy or rainy you may not get very stiff peaks. Set aside till needed.
• 7. In a large mixing bowl with the paddle attachment, add the softened butter, and both sugars, and beat till creamy and can no longer see the sugar granules in the mixture.
• 8. Add the egg yolks one at a time, and the vanilla bean paste, or extract and butter pecan flavoring, beating well after each addition, for about 15 minutes till mixture is light creamy and pale yellow in color.
• 9. In a separate small bowl add the coconut and 2 cups of the toasted chopped pecans, blend together and set aside till needed.
• 10. Add the sour cream to the creamy mixture and beat till blended, about 5 minutes. Then gradually add the flour in 3 separate intervals, beating well till it is blended together.
• 11. Now add the Coconut Nut mixture, & blend until it is mixed well into the cake batter.
• 12. Now remove beaters and finish mixing by hand, using a large spatula, or spoon. May need to switch to a larger bowl.
• 13. Fold egg whites into the cake batter with the spatula or spoon, by going from top of batter to bottom of pan all the while gradually turning to bowl as you go to get the egg white to mix with the batter. REMEMBER YOU ARE INCORPORATING AIR INTO THE CAKE BATTER TO HELP IT TO RISE AND MAKE IT LIGHTER, SO FOLDING IS VERY IMPORTANT.
• 14. Prep Baking pan with Baker's Joy (a blend of cooking spray and flour in a can) or USE BUTTER AND FLOUR TO DUST AND COAT THE CAKE PAN.
• 15. Add cake batter and bake in 325 degrees F. oven for 1 hour & 20 minutes or 1 hour and 30 minutes till tooth pick inserted into cake comes out clean. Add additional minutes in 5 to 10 minutes intervals till cake is done. Let cake sit in pan for 10 minutes till cake pulls away from sides of cake pan, then invert onto a baking rack to cool completely, and transfer to a serving platter.
• 16. To make the frosting cream the butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar together till creamy then all the other ingredients EXCEPT for milk, and beat to blend. Then add the milk one tablespoon at a time, and blend together till desired spreading consistency is reached. This is enough frosting to frost 1 large pound cake, Make 1 1/2 times the recipe if you bake in two separate pans. Frost and garnish cake as desired.
• 17. Slice serve and enjoy, you will probably be asked for the recipe, so be prepared. You can serve this cake with Pride. It is awesome. Another recipe that is great for a special occasion.

TOASTED COCONUT CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray 2 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray, and set aside.
• Spread 2 cups of flaked coconut onto a baking sheet, and toast in the preheated oven, stirring often, until lightly browned and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Set the toasted coconut aside.
• Place the pudding mix and coconut milk in the work bowl of an electric mixer, and mix on Low speed until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute. Add the cake mix, yogurt, vegetable oil, eggs, and remaining 1/2 cup flaked coconut and mix on Medium speed until the batter is smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans, smoothing the top with a spatula if necessary.
• Bake in the oven until the top is lightly browned and the cake springs back when pressed gently, about 40 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 20 minutes before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling.
• To make frosting, place the cream cheese into the work bowl of an electric mixer and beat on Low speed until the cream cheese is softened, about 30 seconds. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, and beat on Medium speed until the frosting is thick and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Spread the cream cheese frosting over the top of one of cooled cake rounds, place the second cake round on top of the frosted round and spread the remaining frosting evenly over the layered cake. Press the toasted coconut gently into the top and sides of the cake.

TOASTED COCONUT PUDDING CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° & grease and flour lightly the baking pan.
• Place all cake ingredients in a medium bowl, and blend, with mixer on low speed until ingredients are well combined. Mix for about 30-45 seconds. Then mix at high for about 2 minutes.
• Bake in 13x9-inch pan for 32-35 minutes at 350° or until toothpick inserted in middle of cake comes out clean.
• Coconut Glaze: Blend all glaze ingredients in medium saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture begins to bubble. Add coconut.
• Cool, then pour over cake.

COCONUT-CHOCOLATE ICEBOX CAKE WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place the cans of coconut milk in the coldest spot in your refrigerator upside-down and leave them there for 24 hours. This will allow the coconut cream in the milk to solidify and separate from the liquid.
• Line a 9-by-5-by-3-in [23-by-12-by-7.5-cm] loaf pan with plastic wrap that hangs slightly over the sides of the pan.
• Flip the cans of coconut milk right-side up, open the cans, and, using a rubber spatula, carefully scrape the solid coconut cream into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Save the liquid for another purpose. Add the almond extract and confectioners' sugar, and whisk on medium speed until smooth and thick. Add the heavy cream and whisk on medium-high speed until the cream holds stiff peaks, about 2 minutes. Add the toasted coconut and fold it into the cream with a rubber spatula.
• Using a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread a thin layer of the whipped cream on the bottom of the lined pan. Cover as much of the cream as possible with a layer of wafers, filling any gaps with broken wafers, to create a solid layer of wafers.
• Continue layering whipped cream and wafers until you run out or reach the top of the pan, ending with a layer of wafers. Gently cover the surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 to 8 hours, or preferably overnight. If you have whipped cream left over, store this in the refrigerator along with the cake.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator prior to serving and peel off the plastic wrap. Place a serving plate over the pan and invert the cake onto the plate. Carefully remove the pan and plastic wrap lining and, if using, thinly spread the remaining whipped cream over the sides and top of the cake. Re-whip the cream if it looks too soft to spread. Sprinkle the cake with the toasted almonds, lightly pressing them into the cake.
• Using a serrated knife, cut the cake into slices and serve. The cake will keep, lightly wrapped with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

TOASTED COCONUT PINA COLADA CAKE

Steps:

• For cake, preheat oven to 350° F.
• Mix all ingredients well.
• Pour batter equally into 3 greased and floured round cake pans.
• Bake for 25 minutes.
• Cool and Frost.
• For Frosting: Mix dry pudding mix and pineapple, then add cool whip.
• Frost cooled cake, and sprinkle with coconut and refrigerate until serving.
• Warning, since the frosting has cool whip in it, exposure to heat will make it runny.

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES WITH TOASTED COCONUT

Steps:

• Beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla extract together. In a separate bowl mix flour, spices, salt and baking soda. Add walnuts, figs, dates and carrots to dry ingredients. Mix half of dry mixture into egg mixture until well incorporated. Add remaining dry ingredients to batter and mix thoroughly.
• Line cupcake pan with paper liners. Fill each liner 3/4 full with batter. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until toothpick pulls clean from center of cupcake.
• In a bowl combine room temperature cream cheese, softened butter and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth. Slowly incorporate confectioners sugar into cream cheese blending until smooth. Frost each cupcake.
• Heat skillet on medium heat. Toast coconut until golden brown. Top each frosted cupcake with coconut. Enjoy!

TOASTED COCONUT POUND CAKE WITH MANGO-LIME SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter two 5-by-9-inch loaf pans. Combine flour and salt in a bowl.
• Cream butter and sugar with a mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy, for 8 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl. Reduce speed to medium, and add vanilla extract.
• Lightly beat eggs, and add to mixer bowl in 4 additions, mixing thoroughly after each and scraping down sides. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture in 4 additions, mixing until just incorporated. Fold sweetened shredded coconut into finished batter. Divide batter between pans. Tap on counter to distribute; smooth tops. Before baking, sprinkle additional coconut over each cake; tent with foil.
• Bake until a tester inserted into center of each cake comes out clean, about 65 minutes. Let cool in pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire rack.
• Make mango-lime sauce: Puree chopped mango, lime juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until smooth. Top with diced mango and lime zest.

TOASTED COCONUT MACADAMIA POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Make pound cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter and flour a 10-inch (3 quart) bundt pan.
• Spread coconut in a shallow baking pan and toast in middle of oven, stirring occasionally and watching carefully to avoid burning, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer coconut to a bowl and cool. Spread nuts in pan and toast in middle of oven until pale golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool nuts and chop coarse.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy and beat in cream cheese. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and beat in vanilla. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into bowl and beat just until combined well. Stir in coconut and chopped nuts.
• Spread batter evenly in pan and bake in middle of oven 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes and invert onto rack.
• Make glaze:
• In a small heavy saucepan bring water with sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Stir in rum.
• Brush hot glaze evenly over outside of warm cake until absorbed. Cool cake completely.

CHEATING TOASTED COCONUT REFRIGERATOR CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the coconut on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden brown. About 10 minutes, shaking the tray once halfway through cooking.
• Remove and let cool.
• In a medium bowl, gently fold together the whipped cream and pudding.
• Slice each cake vertically in half, then slice each half horizontally into three 1/2 inch layers.
• Line an 8x8 square pan with 4 slices of cake to make one layer.
• Top with about 1 cup of pudding mixture, spreading to cover the cake. Repeat the process to form 3 layers, ending with the pudding mixture.
• Refrigerate for one hour.
• Garnish with the toasted coconut.

TOASTED COCONUT AND CARAMEL-HOT FUDGE POKE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool 15 minutes. With handle of wooden spoon, poke top of warm cake every 1/2 inch.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave hot fudge topping uncovered on High about 15 seconds or just until pourable. Pour sauce over warm cake, spreading evenly with rubber spatula. Grab the pan with both hands, and whack it against the counter two times. This is to help the fudge topping sink down into the holes. Cover the cake, and place in the fridge 10 minutes to set up slightly.
• In medium bowl, toss 1 1/2 cups of the toasted coconut and 1/4 cup of the caramel topping. Remove cake from the fridge, and pour remaining caramel topping over the cake, reserving 2 tablespoons for drizzling later. Use your hands to shake cake pan from side to side to help evenly distribute caramel over cake. Top with caramel-coated coconut in an even layer.
• Sprinkle with remaining toasted coconut, and drizzle with reserved caramel topping. Cover loosely; refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled. Store covered in refrigerator.