Tropical Coconut Cream Cake with Pineapple Filling
Transport yourself to paradise with this luscious Coconut Cream Cake layered with homemade pineapple jam and cloud-like coconut cream frosting. Tender, tropical, and unforgettable!
Equipment
- Three 8-inch Cake Pans
- Mixing bowls
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Saucepan
- Food processor
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
For the Coconut Cake
- cake flour sifted
- baking powder
- salt
- unsalted butter softened
- granulated sugar
- eggs
- coconut extract
- vanilla extract
- coconut milk
- sweetened shredded coconut
For the Pineapple Jam Filling
- fresh pineapple finely chopped
- granulated sugar
- lemon juice
- cornstarch mixed with water
For the Coconut Cream Frosting
- cream cheese softened
- unsalted butter softened
- powdered sugar
- coconut extract
- heavy cream whipped
- toasted coconut flakes for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then coconut and vanilla extracts.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and coconut milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Fold in shredded coconut.
- Divide batter among pans. Bake 25–28 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Pulse pineapple in a food processor. In saucepan, cook pineapple, sugar, and lemon juice until reduced. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. Cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in coconut extract. Fold in whipped heavy cream gently.
- Place one cake layer on stand. Pipe frosting dam, fill with pineapple jam. Repeat with second layer. Top with third layer and frost entire cake.
- Press toasted coconut around sides and sprinkle on top. Chill at least 1 hour before slicing.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. If frosting softens too much, chill it briefly before using. For extra decoration, garnish with edible flowers or pineapple pieces.