Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsThe River Oyster BarFive Layer Coconut Cake Recipe

Five Layer Coconut Cake Recipe

Time3h
Serves12

rum anglaise

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Ingredients

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Cake Layers

Method

Cake Layers

  1. 1

    Preheat Oven

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour five 8-inch round cake pans.

  2. 2

    Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

  3. 3

    Cream Butter and Sugar

    In another bowl, cream the butter until smooth. Gradually add the sugar, beating until light and fluffy.

  4. 4

    Add Eggs and Coconut Milk

    Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the coconut milk and vanilla extract until just combined.

  5. 5

    Combine Mixtures

    Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the shredded coconut.

  6. 6

    Bake Layers

    Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  7. 7

    Cool Layers

    Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Rum Anglaise

  1. 8

    Prepare Milk Mixture

    In a saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream. Heat over medium heat until just steaming, but not boiling.

  2. 9

    Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar

    In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and granulated sugar until pale and thick.

  3. 10

    Temper Egg Yolks

    Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.

  4. 11

    Cook Custard

    Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.

  5. 12

    Add Flavorings

    Remove from heat and stir in the dark rum and vanilla extract. Let cool before serving.

Frosting

  1. 13

    Beat Butter

    In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter until creamy and smooth.

  2. 14

    Add Sugar and Coconut Milk

    Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Then, add the coconut milk and beat until well combined and fluffy.

  3. 15

    Fold in Coconut

    Fold in the shredded coconut until evenly distributed.

  4. 16

    Frost the Cake

    Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting on top. Repeat with remaining layers and frost the top and sides of the cake.

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