This coconut cake is guaranteed to be the BEST coconut cake you’ve ever had. It has light and tender coconut cake layers, a creamy coconut filling, and coconut cream cheese frosting. It’s a coconut lover’s dream come true!

southern coconut cake on a cake stand with a slice on a plate

Since I first shared this old-fashioned “southern” coconut cake recipe in 2010, this cake has been a favorite with pretty much everyone. I have family and friends request it for birthdays and holidays, and it’s the recipe on my site with the most consistent 5-star reviews. There’s no doubt about it, everyone LOVES this cake!

What makes this coconut cake special?

  • The coconut flavor really comes through in every aspect of this cake, from the cake layers to the frosting, to the toasted coconut on top!
  • Using canned coconut milk not only helps with flavor, but it also make the cake super moist and tender.
  • It’s an elegant yet comforting dessert, perfect for any occasion.

One bite and I know you’ll agree, this really is the best coconut cake recipe!

taking a bite of southern coconut cake

“I just want to say that I was so intimidated by this recipe at first. I bake a lot-but usually not cakes. This sounded so complicated! But, tomorrow is my mom’s birthday and coconut cake is her favorite. So, I gave it a try. Just want to say that everything turned out beautifully! Thank you for sharing this recipe with us!!!” — reader Diane

Table of Contents

southern coconut cake ingredients

How to make the best coconut layer cake

Layer cakes are a labor of love and can be a bit time-consuming, but this coconut cake is more than worth it! Make sure to read and follow all of my tips below for the most success. I’ve done my homework and fine-tuned this recipe over the last 10 years, and it’s practically fool-proof.

There are 4 components to this cake: coconut cake layers, coconut cream cheese buttercream frosting, creamy coconut filling and a toasted coconut topping. Let me show you how to make it!

pouring cake batter and baked cake layers

Moist and tender coconut cake layers

These white cake layers are so soft and very tender. They’re flavored with both coconut flavoring and coconut milk, which adds a lot of richness and helps keep the cake layers moist.

This recipe uses the reverse creaming method, which means all the dry ingredients are beaten together with the butter before the egg whites and coconut milk are added at the end. It’s not any more difficult than using the traditional creaming method, and I like how light the cake layers turn out.

Tip: Bake the cake layers in advance for easy assembly. I usually bake mine at least 1 day ahead of when I will assemble the final cake. Cake layers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days and in the freezer for a month or more. See my tips on how to store cake layers here.

Rich coconut cream cheese frosting

For frosting, I’ve taken my classic cream cheese frosting and added coconut flavoring. I love the combo together and it’s the perfect rich topping to complement the light cake layers and whipped filling. (If you want a lighter/less-sweet frosting, I recommend trying my chantilly cream frosting instead.)

frosting, filling, and cake layers ready for assembly

Creamy coconut filling

To balance the sweetness of the cake layers and cream cheese frosting, the filling for this southern coconut cake is simply whipped cream folded together with just a bit of frosting. It’s very light and creamy, with a hint of coconut flavor and sweetness.

Tip: This is my hack for many layer cakes where I want a slightly different filling between the layers than the overall frosting. Simply fold whipped cream and a bit of frosting together! Voila!

Top it with toasted coconut

Coconut is of course the perfect finish for this cake. I prefer to toast it in the oven until it’s golden brown, but you can also leave it untoasted for an all-white appearance. Use sweetened coconut or unsweetened coconut, coconut flakes or shredded coconut, it’s all up to you!

And together with the coconut cake layers, creamy filling, and cream cheese frosting is a magical coconutty combination. It’s delicious! And I know you’re going to love it as much as we do.

assembling cake layers with coconut filling

My best cake tips

  • Need help assembling and frosting layer cakes? If you’re new to bakinglayer cakes or need a little help, be sure to check out my complete guide for how to build a layer cake. It’s got everything you need to know!
  • This recipe uses one 13.5-oz can of unsweetened coconut milk (plus more for the frosting if you want). If you don’t see it in the baking aisle, look for it with the Asian foods. You can also use whole milk in a pinch, just increase coconut extract by 1 teaspoon in both the cake and frosting.
  • You can use either 8-inch or 9-inch cake pans. (These are the pans I have and love.) 8-inch pans will yield a taller cake, 9-inch will yield one that’s wider. I baked this cake in 3 8-inch pans, but if using 9-inch, only bake 2 layers.
  • Use parchment paper rounds to prevent sticking! The cake layers are so tender, so don’t skip this step and be sure to grease your pans too. Here’s all my tips for prepping cake pans before baking.
  • Handle baked cake layers carefully. For best results, chill layers completely in the fridge for several hours or overnight so they are firm and easier to work with. See my tips for storing cake layers.

baking tip:Why you should use cake flour

Cake flour is high in starch and low in protein. It’s the proteins in all-purpose flour that can cause a cake to be tough if the batter is overworked, and cake flour helps to make sure that doesn’t happen. Use cake flour in a recipe when it calls for it and you’re setting yourself up for success every time.

If you don’t have cake flour on hand, substitute 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch for 1 cup of cake flour. You can also simply just use all-purpose flour, cup for cup. The results won’t quite be the same, there’s not the same guarantee of success, but you’ll likely still have a delicious cake.

More Baking Tips »
frosted southern coconut cake on a cake stand

Flavor variations

I love this cake so much, I’ve made a few variations that are equally delicious! These all use the coconut cake layers as a starting point:

sliced lemon coconut cake on a cake stand
Lemon Coconut Cake
Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Buttercream
Coconut Cupcakes
Coconut lime cake on a cake stand with a slice removed, showing coconut lime layers
Lime Coconut Cake

Make this cake now!

Recipe originally published in April 2010, with slight improvements to the recipe and clearer instructions added over the years. Most recent update April 2025, it’s just as awesome as ever!

Coconut layer cake on a cake stand with a slice removed, showing white cake layers
4.79 from 219 reviews

Light and Fluffy Coconut Layer Cake

Servings: 12 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Assembly Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
This southern coconut layer cake has light and tender coconut cake layers, a creamy coconut filling, and coconut cream cheese frosting. It’s a coconut lover’s dream come true!
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Ingredients
 

 For the Coconut Cake:

  • 5 large egg whites
  • 1 ½ cup (375 ml) unsweetened full fat coconut milk , divided
  • 2 teaspoons coconut flavoring (see Notes)
  • 3 cups (340 grams) cake flour
  • 2 ⅓ cups (470 grams) granulated sugar
  • 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter , softened to room temperature

For the Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting:

  • 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese , softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter , softened to room temperature
  • 4 cups (455 grams) powdered sugar , sifted
  • 1-3 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk or whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon coconut flavoring

For the Whipped Coconut Filling:

  • 1 cup of the Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting , above
  • 1 cup (250 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1-2 cups (85 grams) flaked or shredded coconut , for decoration

Equipment

two round cake pans
8-inch cake pans
teal kitchen mixer
Electric mixer
offset spatula
Offset spatula

Instructions
 

To make the cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour (or use nonstick baking spray) two or three 8-inch or 9-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper. (See Notes)
  • In a small bowl, lightly whisk together the egg whites, ½ cup of the coconut milk, and coconut flavoring just until combined.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and remaining 1 cup coconut milk and combine on low speed until moistened. Increase speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed so the mixture is uniform.
  • Add the egg white mixture in 3 additions, scraping down the sides of the bowl and mixing just long enough to incorporate between additions.
  • Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake for about 35-40 minutes. Baking time will vary based on pan size and how many layers you're baking, so start checking when the tops look dry and set. The tops should bounce back when gently pressed.
  • Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto cooling racks to cool completely. If making cake layers in advance, wrap in plastic and store in the fridge for up to 2 days and in the freezer for up to 1 month (thaw in the freezer overnight before using).

To make the buttercream:

  • Beat together the butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar on medium high speed until light and creamy. Add the coconut flavoring and enough coconut milk (or regular milk) to reach a spreadable consistency. Mix until smooth.

To make the Whipped Cream Cheese Filling:

  • With a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream until it starts to thicken. Add 1 cup of the cream cheese buttercream a spoonful at a time while mixing on medium-high speed. Whip to soft peaks.

To frost and decorate the cake:

  • Place one cake layer on a cake stand or plate. Cover with some whipped cream cheese filling. Repeat with the rest of the layers and filling. Frost the entire cake with the cream cheese buttercream as desired.
  • To toast coconut, spread the coconut on a sheet pan. Toast in a 350°F oven until golden, checking every 2 minutes. Watch it carefully, the coconut will burn fast. Let it cool completely before adding to the frosted cake.
  • Chill the cake for one hour before serving. Store in the fridge, cake will keep for several days.

Video

Notes

  • This recipe uses one 13.5-oz can of unsweetened coconut milk (plus more for the frosting if you want).
  • “Coconut flavoring” can be coconut extract or coconut baking emulsion flavoring. This is what I use.
  • The cake can be baked in either 8 or 9-inch pans and you can use 2 or 3 pans, depending on the look you’re going for. Be sure to not fill cake pans more than 2/3 full, or they may overflow in the oven. If using 8-inch pans, make sure they are deep enough, or bake more separate layers. 
  • This recipe uses the Reverse Creaming Method, meaning you cream the butter and sugar along with the dry ingredients. This coats the flour with a layer of fat, resulting in a very light texture.
Recipe adapted from Sky High: Irresistible Triple-Layer Cakes.
Calories: 878kcal, Carbohydrates: 109g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 47g, Saturated Fat: 32g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 109mg, Sodium: 217mg, Potassium: 362mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 83g, Vitamin A: 1255IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 116mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Annalise Sandberg
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