Coconut Cake, one layer
This Single Layer Coconut Cake combines light and airy coconut-flavored cake with lightly toasted sweetened coconut flakes. And when paired with this creamy coconut buttercream frosting, you end up with a lush spring or any-time-of-the-year treat!
Why this bake works
Say hello to the newest single layer cake in the Sovuh recipe box—Single Layer Coconut Cake!
It's adapted from the Coconut Sheet Cake recipe and is wonderful for the spring, summer, or any time of the year!
The stars of this coconut cake recipe, which give it its light and airy texture, are the coconut oil, the egg (which is divided), and the unsweetened coconut milk. Added to the cake for even more flavor are toasted, sweetened coconut flakes, along with a hint of coconut extract and vanilla extract.
The cake is paired nicely with a creamy coconut buttercream frosting, which includes sweetened coconut flakes that can be added while making the frosting or after.
And if you're not crazy about coconut buttercream frosting, I've included some easy, small-batch frosting alternatives below!
Ingredients
You will need the typical ingredients to make my single-layer cakes: baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, unsalted butter, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Below are the key ingredients to make the best coconut cake!
- Cake Flour. If you don't have cake flour on hand, I have included an easy house-made substitute below!
- Leavening Agents. Baking soda and baking powder appear in this coconut cake recipe.
- Salt. Just a pinch!
- Granulated Sugar. Or you can use organic pure cane sugar.
- Unsalted Butter. Room temperature butter is best!
- Coconut Oil. You can also use vegetable oil as a substitute.
- An Egg. You need one, but it does need to be separated. The egg yolk is added first, while the egg white, along with some cream of tartar, is whipped into stiff peaks, then added to the batter. For the fluffiest texture, do not skip this step!
- Extracts. You'll need coconut extract and vanilla extract
- Sweetened Coconut Flakes. You will need 1/3 cup toasted for the cake and 1/2 cup for the coconut buttercream frosting. You can choose to toast the frosting coconut flakes if you'd like or leave them as-is.
- Canned Unsweetened Coconut Milk. I found this in the grocery aisle where the sweetened condensed milk is kept. Make sure the can says unsweetened. You may also stir the milk once opened because it will separate.
- Cream of Tartar. This is only added to the egg white to make it into nice stiff peaks. Do not add this directly to the batter!
house-made Cake Flour
If you don't keep cake flour on hand, fear not—you can make it at home! You only need all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and a sifter!
To make your house-made cake flour:
- Add one tablespoon of cornstarch to a ½ cup measuring cup.
- Fill the remaining measuring cup with all-purpose flour.
- Run the mixture through a sifter. Once is good, but twice is better.
If you want to have a little more on hand, Try doubling this house-made cake flour recipe.
Essential Single Layer Cake Baking Tools
Here are a few baking tools Try when making this house-made single-layer coconut cake! Scroll through the carousel below for more!
- 6-inch Cake Pan. I used a 6-inch by 3-inch tall cake pan from Fat Daddios for this method. It's been my go-to pan for my most recent single-layer cakes. If you only have a 6-inch by 2-inch tall pan, this will work fine, but know the cake may come up to the edge of the pan.
- Mixing Bowls. Works well for both dry and wet ingredients.
- Whisks and Spatulas. Always good to have a few of these on hand while you bake this coconut cake! I swear by GIR whisks and spatulas. They also make spoonulas, a combination of a spatula and a spoon. Enjoy them when using cake batters!
How it comes together
Below is a brief overview of how to make this single layer coconut cake recipe. For the full printable recipe, which can be made using US customary or metric measurements using the toggle switch, visit the method card below.
- Toast the coconut flakes. You only need to toast the coconut flakes used in the cake batter. If you wish to toast the coconut flakes used for the frosting, you can do this now.
- Whisk the dry ingredients. This includes the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Divide the egg. Separate the egg yolk from the egg whites.
- Beat the egg whites. Whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (about 2-3 minutes). Set to the side.
- Mix the wet ingredients together. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this part. Ingredients included for this step are unsalted butter, coconut oil, granulated sugar, egg yolk (just the yolk!), extracts, and unsweetened coconut milk.
- Add in the dry mixture. Blend until just combined.
- Fold in the beaten egg whites and then the toasted coconut.
- Bake the cake. 350ºF for 30-35 minutes. Allow it to cool completely before frosting.
Coconut Buttercream Frosting Alternatives
Here are three small batch frosting alternatives to my small batch coconut frosting recipe.
- Small Batch Cream Cheese Frosting – you can add some coconut to this if you'd like.
- Small Batch Vanilla Ermine Frosting
- Small Batch Milk Chocolate Frosting
Questions on this bake
Do you recommend using a 6″ x 2″ cake pan or a 6″ x 3″ cake pan?This coconut cake bakes 2 inches tall, so Try using the 6″ x 3″. If using a 6″ x 2″, note that the cake may come right up to the top of the pan.
Do I need to whisk the egg whites separately?To get a nice airy cake texture, yes! Adding in the whole egg will give you a denser cake texture. It's an extra step, but it's worth it.
Do I need to toast the sweetened coconut flakes?I do recommend toasting them for the cake batter because it brings out more of the coconut flavor in the cake. It's unnecessary for the frosting unless you're going for the toasted flakes look on the outside.
Can I freeze this single layer coconut cake?Yes! To learn the best way to freeze single layer cakes and slices, check out my Single Layer Chocolate Cake recipe.
- Yield 6 servings
- Prep 20 minutes
- Cook 35 minutes
- Total 55 minutes
- Calories 655
Ingredients
Coconut Cake
- 1/3 cup Shredded Sweetened Coconut Flakes, toasted
- 1 cup Cake Flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Large Egg Yolk, room temperature
- 1 tsp Coconut Extract
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/3 cup from a 13.5-ounce Canned Unsweetened Coconut Milk, room temperature
- 1 Large Egg White, room temperature
- 1/8 tsp Cream of Tartar
Coconut Buttercream Frosting
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 2 1/3 cups Sifted Powdered Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Coconut Extract
- 2 tbsp Canned Unsweetened Coconut Milk
- 1/2 cup Shredded Sweetened Coconut Flakes
Method
Coconut Sheet Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF and generously spray a 6-inch round cake pan with a flour-based baking spray. Hold to the side.
- Using a small skillet, toast the sweetened coconut flakes over medium heat, continuously stirring until they start to toast and turn a light golden brown color. Monitor this step very carefully because if left on too long you can burn the coconut. Hold to the side and allow to cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set dry mixture aside.
- Using your hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment beat the egg white and cream of tartar at high speed until stiff peaks form (about 2-3 minutes).
- In a separate bowl, using your hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar on medium speed until well blended.
- Add in the egg yolk, coconut extract, vanilla extract, and unsweetened coconut milk.
- Add in the whisked dry mixture then mix until just combined. Fold the beaten egg white into the coconut cake batter, then fold in the toasted coconut.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared 6-inch round cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes at 350ºF or until an inserted toothpick in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove and allow to cool completely on a wire cooling rack before frosting.
Coconut Buttercream Frosting
- Using your hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat the unsalted butter on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Switch the mixer speed to low and add in the sifted powdered sugar.
- Add in the coconut extract and the unsweetened coconut milk and continue to mix until smooth and well blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in or stir in the shredded coconut flakes.
Baker notes
1/4 cup unsalted butter = 4 tablespoons
Try dividing your egg into two separate small bowls before starting the method so you don't accidentally add the whole egg into the cake batter.
If you're planning to pipe the frosting onto the coconut cake, I would recommend leaving the toasted coconut flakes out, adding them as a garnish later.
If your buttercream frosting appears to be too thick, you can add another tablespoon of unsweetened coconut milk. Likewise, if your buttercream appears to be too thin, you can add in some more sifted powdered sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time.
Recipe adapted from the Coconut Sheet Cake.
