I am not sure which part of this Lemon Coconut Cake I love the most!
Ultra moist and fluffy coconut cake layers, the lemon custard and coconut buttercream!
Or the cutest little lemon stuffed coconut macaroons on top!
This lemon coconut cake should be front and center at every gathering from now on!
And it has never been easier!
My food processor method of making the lightest and fluffiest cakes is at it again!
This time coconut flakes are added to the coconut batter and an easy stove top lemon custard for a zingy refreshing filling!
The coconut macaroon cookies are so simple and make the most adorable topper for each slice
WATCH THE FULL YOUTUBE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR LEMON COCONUT CAKE
Notes for Success:
I prefer to use unsweetened coconut flakes (desiccated coconut) so it does not add more sugar to the cake batter by using sweetened flake coconut
If you cannot get the unsweetened variety just take out 1½ Tbs sugar from the recipe
Lemon Coconut Cake
Ingredients
For the Coconut Cake Layers
- Coconut Milk 1¾ cup (414ml)
- Vinegar or Lemon Juice 2 teaspoons (10ml)
- Coconut Extract 1½ teaspoons (7ml)
- Cake Flour Flour 1½ cups cup (180g)
- All Purpose Flour 2¼ cups (280g)
- Egg Replacer 3 teaspoons *I am using Bob's Red Mill
- Granulated Sugar 1¼ cups (250g)
- Baking Powder 3 teaspoons
- Baking Soda 2 teaspoons
- Salt 1½ teaspoons
- Vegan Butter Melted or Vegetable Oil 16 Tablespoons (237ml)
- Unsweetened Flaked Coconut 2 cup (250g)
For the Lemon Custard
- Plant Milk 1 cup (237ml)
- Lemon Juice ½ cup (118ml)
- Water ¾ cup (177ml)
- Tumeric 1/8 teaspoon
- Sugar ¾ cup (150g)
- Cornstarch 6 Tablespoons (48g)
- Lemon Zest from 2 large lemons approx 3 teaspoons
For the Coconut Buttercream
- Vegan Butter 4 Cups (8 sticks) (672g)
- Confectioners Sugar 8 cups (900g)
- Coconut Extract 3 teaspoons
- Salt ½ teaspoon
- Coconut Macaroon Cookies for decor *optional
Instructions
- If you are making the lemon stuffed coconut macaroons prepare according to that recipe post
- First prepare your coconut cake layers by greasing & parchment lining 4-7" cake pans
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Place all of the cake ingredients except for the coconut into a food processor and process until smooth batter (about 20 seconds)
- Add the coconut flakes and pulse again to distribute evenly
- Pour batter evenly between the 4 greased and parchment lined 7" cake pans
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes in the pans until you can safely flip them onto a cooling rack to cool to cold
- Prepare the lemon custard by combining the sugar and the cornstarch together in a heavy bottom medium sauce pot
- Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, water and plant milk and a pinch of turmeric for color if desired
- Cook over medium high heat stirring constantly to avoid scorching the bottom
- Once it comes to a full boil remove it from the heat pour into a clean bowl and let it cool in the refrigerator while you prepare the buttercream recipe
- Combine the vegan butter in a stand mixer bowl with the paddle attachment (or with an electric hand beater)
- Add the salt and cream on medium to high speed for about 3 minutes.
- Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure it is evenly mixed and add the coconut extract
- Stop mixer and add the sifted confectioners sugar all at once.
- Mix on low speed until incorporated , scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and then mix on high speed for 3 minutes.
- Assemble the cake as shown in the video tutorial make sure to reserve some of the lemon custard to fill the coconut macaroon cups
Notes
Lemon coconut cake should be kept refrigerated and will stay fresh for up to 7 days wrapped loosely to prevent drying.
I do not freeze custard cakes, but you can freeze the separate layers wrapped well for up to 2 months
Hi
Looks divine !!! Two questions please :
1. Is one teaspoon egg replacer the equivalent of one egg?
2. Can I use potato starch in place of corn starch (for Passover )?
Thanks so much !
Stunning stunning recipes !!!
Hi There, since I do not create my recipes from non vegan recipes that had egg in them, I cannot say that the amount of egg replacer I am using is equivalent to any amount of egg. Yes to potato starch.
Hello! A couple questions: The instructions mentions oranges, am I missing something? The last ingredient says unsweetened coconut- does this mean the large shreds?
Yikes! Thank you for spotting that! LOL This coconut cake recipe is a direct copy cat from my Orange Cake recipe where I subbed the oranges for coconut!
So I did not properly copy over that instruction!
I’ll be updating that now!
Disregard the orange instruction, since it is coconut being added after the first pulsing in the food processor!
As for the coconut you can use whatever you have or like the best. If it is large flakes/shreds the food processor is going to grind it down even more.
Additionally The sweetened coconut flakes did not make a big difference in the recipe as I had expected it would, so no need to change any ingredients if you DO use sweet coconut
I have used both sweet & unsweet with great results
Thank you! One more question- it mentions adding cream in the directions for the buttercream but it’s not in the list. Is there supposed to be coconut cream? Thanks!
Hey so I think you mean at step 14?
In which case this just needs to be worded more clearly since what I mean to imply is “Add the salt and then continue CREAMING”
Not~ “add the salt and cream” I can see how this could be confusing! 🙂
Ahh I see what you mean! Thank you very much 🙂 The cake was delicious and so easy to make.
What could I use instead of Bobs egg replacer please ? Would a flax egg work ?
Since this is a higher fat recipe already I prefer not to use flax here, it can make the cake heavy & almost “raw” like
Just leave out the egg replacer altogether the cake will still be fine