Vegan Coconut Cake With Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you have a soft spot for rich, tropical flavors and crave a dessert that feels like a sunny escape in every bite, this Vegan Coconut Cake With Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe will soon become your new favorite indulgence. It perfectly blends moist, tender coconut-infused cake layers with a luxuriously fluffy whipped cream cheese frosting made entirely plant-based. Each slice offers a beautiful balance of sweetness and creaminess, delivering a slice of vegan heaven that’s just as stunning as it is delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe is simple yet essential, playing its own unique role in crafting the moist texture, rich flavor, and beautiful appearance of this coconut treat. Let’s break down the essentials that take this cake from ordinary to extraordinary.

• 360 g all-purpose flour: The backbone of the cake’s structure, ensuring a tender crumb.
• 3 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the cake rise, giving it that delightful fluffy texture.
• ½ teaspoon baking soda: Works with the acid in the vinegar to lighten and lift the batter.
• ½ teaspoon sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
• 180 ml non-dairy milk: Creates the vegan buttermilk base for moistness and slight tang.
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar: Reacts with baking soda to help the cake rise perfectly.
• 300 g granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake for that classic dessert flavor.
• 113 g vegan butter: Adds richness and tender crumb; softness makes it easy to cream with sugar.
• 2 tablespoons canola oil: Boosts moisture and keeps the cake soft and fresh.
• 160 g thick coconut yogurt: Provides tang and coconut flavor while keeping things vegan.
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: A warm, aromatic touch that complements the coconut beautifully.
• 240 ml evaporated coconut milk: Intensifies the coconut flavor and keeps the batter silky.
• 120 g shredded coconut: Adds chewy texture and bursts of coconut in every bite.
• 300 g vegan cream cheese: The star of the frosting, chilled and creamy for perfect fluff.
• 400 ml coconut whipping cream: Whisked into the cream cheese to create that light, airy frosting.
• 120 g powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
• 1 vanilla pod or 1 tbsp vanilla extract: Infuses the frosting with a luscious hint of vanilla.
• 100 g shredded coconut: For decorating the cake, adding a stunning finish.

How to Make Vegan Coconut Cake With Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the baking pans

First things first, preheat your oven to fan-forced 160°C/320°F or conventional 180°C/356°F. Line two 8-inch cake tins with parchment paper on the base and use strips along the sides to ensure the cakes will come out smoothly after baking.

Step 2: Combine dry ingredients

Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt in a bowl. This step aerates the flour and evenly distributes the rising agents and salt, vital for a light and evenly risen cake.

Step 3: Make vegan buttermilk

Whisk the non-dairy milk with the apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice) and set aside for a few minutes. This tangy milk substitute reacts with the baking soda to create bubbles, helping the cake rise and stay moist.

Step 4: Cream sugar with vegan butter

In a large bowl, whisk the softened vegan butter together with the granulated sugar for about two minutes. This creaming step blends air into the mixture, contributing to a fluffy cake texture even without eggs.

Step 5: Add wet ingredients

Mix in the coconut yogurt, canola oil, and vanilla extract with the creamed butter and sugar. Follow by adding the evaporated coconut milk, stirring everything together into a smooth, fragrant batter.

Step 6: Combine wet and dry ingredients

Alternate adding half the dry ingredients and half the vegan buttermilk mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently but thoroughly. Stop mixing once there are still some pockets of flour visible to avoid overworking the batter. Finally, fold in the shredded coconut for texture.

Step 7: Bake the cake layers

Evenly distribute the batter into the lined pans and bake for 45-50 minutes. To test doneness, insert a skewer into the center — it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. If it’s still wet, bake another 5 minutes.

Step 8: Cool the cakes

Once baked, let the cakes cool inside the tins for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This waiting period is crucial for the cake to set so the frosting will spread nicely later.

Step 9: Prepare the whipped cream cheese frosting

In a bowl, whisk chilled vegan cream cheese and cold coconut whipping cream together until fluffy and light. Add powdered sugar and the scraped vanilla pod or vanilla extract, then whisk just until fully incorporated and creamy.

Step 10: Assemble the cake

Spread a thin layer of frosting on your cake stand to secure the first cake layer. Spread a generous layer of frosting over the top, sprinkle some shredded coconut, then chill briefly. Repeat with the second layer. Finally, coat the sides and top with the remaining frosting and decorate with desiccated coconut for that signature finish.

How to Serve Vegan Coconut Cake With Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

The shredded coconut sprinkled on the cake adds a delightful texture and fresh coconut aroma, but you could jazz things up with toasted coconut flakes for nuttiness or edible flowers for a pop of color. Fresh fruit like pineapple chunks or passionfruit drizzles work wonderfully for extra tropical notes.

Side Dishes

This vegan coconut cake pairs beautifully with a cup of aromatic chai or a cold glass of almond milk. If you want to keep the tropical theme going, serve alongside mango salsa or a zesty lime sorbet to contrast the creamy sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this cake as individual mini cakes using ramekins or molds for a charming party presentation. Layer it in a trifle bowl with coconut cream and toasted nuts for a layered dessert spectacle, or even slice thin pieces to make vegan coconut cake parfaits with fresh berries.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh and prevent drying. It will generally stay delicious for up to 3-4 days, but the sooner you enjoy it, the better!

Freezing

You can freeze the cake layers (without frosting) wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and frost fresh for best results.

Reheating

Since this is a moist coconut cake, gently warming slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds can revive softness and flavor, but you’ll want to allow it to come back to room temperature for the frosting to feel just right.

FAQs

Can I substitute the coconut yogurt with another non-dairy yogurt?

Yes! While coconut yogurt enhances the coconut flavor, you can swap it with almond or soy yogurt if preferred, just make sure it’s thick to maintain the cake’s moisture.

Is it possible to make this gluten-free?

You can try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but results may vary as gluten gives the cake its structure. Adding a binder like xanthan gum might help keep it from crumbling.

Why do you use apple cider vinegar in the recipe?

The vinegar acid reacts with baking soda creating tiny bubbles that help the cake rise and stay fluffy while neutralizing any aftertaste for a tender crumb.

Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the whipped cream cheese frosting a day in advance, store it in the fridge, and briefly whisk before spreading to refresh its light texture.

How do I prevent the shredded coconut from burning during baking?

Fold shredded coconut gently into the batter rather than sprinkling on top while baking. When decorating, adding it after baking ensures it stays fresh and doesn’t brown too much.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Coconut Cake With Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is just the kind of recipe that makes you want to bake it right now and share it with everyone you love. Its tropical flavors, tender crumb, and silky frosting strike a perfect balance that truly showcases vegan baking at its best. Give it a try and watch how quickly this special cake becomes a treasured classic in your kitchen!

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