My mom makes a lot of cakes and this fresh coconut cake is one of her faves and always gets rave reviews when she serves it. We had this for Easter and when I posted a picture on Facebook, everyone wanted the recipe. It’s made with a butter yellow cake mix, so is easy to put together, but very pretty in presentation.
I wish I had a picture of it cut on a plate, but forgot to do that part. Everyone loves my mom’s coconut cake, so if you don’t mind that it’s not made from scratch, give it a try.
Here’s how she makes it:
1 box Duncan Hines Butter Recipe yellow cake mix: Bake as directed into 3 layers.
Icing:
One 8 oz container of Cool Whip
8 oz. sour cream
Sugar to taste
Fresh coconut in bags (from frozen food aisle). Thaw the coconut. She said she gets 2 bags of coconut.
Mix all ingredients together for icing and add some of the fresh coconut into the icing. Then sprinkle the rest of the coconut on top of the cake.
That’s it, so hope you enjoy this one if you try it!
Brenda says
I have used this same recipe before and it is always beautiful and so so good and you are so right it’s a beautiful presentation!! Thanks so much for sharing your sweet family!!
Rene' says
oh, how that photo so reminded me of Rich’s Bakery and all their yummy cakes!
Nothing said “Family Holiday’s” like their coconut cake being gently removed
from their green and white box after cutting the string around the box……..
anticipation!
Rhoda says
Hi, Rene, that is so funny! My boyfriend LOVES the old Rich’s bakery and their coconut cakes were his favorite. He still talks about it and he loved this cake too!
Mel says
Rhoda: My South Georgia grandmother would bake these in the summer. Such delicious memories. Beautiful cake.
KittyLuvr says
I loved shopping at Rich’s when we lived in Atlanta years ago….are any of their recipes on the internet? This cake is beautiful and I will be making it for my daughter’s graduation in a few weeks!! Thanks for sharing her recipe!
Teresa says
Be sure to use regular cool whip and not fat free or light. Fat free or light is too runny!
blondchick44 says
I love this cake! My friend gave the recipe to me years ago but no one in my family except hubs and I like coconut, therefore, I don’t make it anymore!! 🙁 But it’s a very tasty cake!
Jeanie says
I’m not a fan of coconut, but that is one beautiful cake!
Nancy says
Ohhhh you made me homesick. My Baton Rouge city grandparents made coconut cake for Easter every year. Papa Bonny grated a coconut and made 7 minute icing. Somebody made pineapple filling, I don’t know which one. Mama Bonny put the smaller size jelly beans around the cake and made it so colorful. My grandfather always bonked us all on the head with the coconut shell. I guess now you would have to call CPS. He passed away when I was 13 and I haven’t had that cake since. Wow, that was 50 years ago. Life REALLY is but a dream!!!
Jan says
My mother in law used to make coconut cake from scratch. One year I made it from a recipe that included a box mix. No one knew the difference even my MIL. She said mine was as delicious as hers. I still make mine the short cut way. It’s always good. Love the idea of surrounding it with jelly beans. I’ll have to try that decoration.
nancy says
I used to work hard preparing homemade banana pudding with meringue. Then one day, I used a co-worker’s recipe of Jello pudding, cool whip and condensed milk. My family fell on it like starving wolves, I even like it better!
teresa says
This is my favourite and looks so easy. I’ll probably add some coconut IN the cake, as well. Can one have too much? I make one with chopped dates in the mix with coconut topping. I’ll have to try the pineappl as DH loves it, or perhaps some orange. What a great cake for eating in its scrumptious simplicity or eusing as a experimental base. Thanks for postin.
Linda says
there were so many ads I could not see the recipe. I make one using fresh coconut but wanted to try this one. especially the frosting. can you send me the recipe?
Rhoda says
HI, Linda, here you go:
1 box Duncan Hines Butter Recipe yellow cake mix: Bake as directed into 3 layers.
Icing:
One 8 oz container of Cool Whip
8 oz. sour cream
Sugar to taste
Fresh coconut in bags (from frozen food aisle). Thaw the coconut. She said she gets 2 bags of coconut.
Mix all ingredients together for icing and add some of the fresh coconut into the icing. Then sprinkle the rest of the coconut on top of the cake.