Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream

Active Time: 1 Hour Total Time2 Hours 45 Mins
Yield: Serves 20

You’ve got dessert duty? We’ve got you covered with this lightly spiced sheet cake that serves a crowd and travels well too. Why choose between carrot cake and coconut cake when both flavors work so well together?

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 pound carrots, peeled and shredded (about 3 packed cups)
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened large flaked coconut (such as Let’s Do…Organic)
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, plus more for pans
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 4large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins

Coconut Buttercream

  • 1 cup well-shaken canned unsweetened coconut milk
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings

  • 1large peeled carrot, peeled into 3-inch curls
  • Coconut Flakes

How to Make It

Step 1

Prepare the Cake Layer: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour sides and bottom of a 13- x 9-inch baking pan.

Step 2

Toss together carrots and 1⁄2 cup of the granulated sugar in a bowl. Let stand 15 minutes. Pour mixture through a wire-mesh strainer over a bowl, pressing on solids in strainer; discard liquid. Set shredded carrots aside.

Step 3

Spread sweetened shredded coconut in a single layer on half of a large baking sheet; spread unsweetened flaked coconut in a single layer on other half. (Keep shredded and flaked coconut separated on baking sheet.) Bake in preheated oven until unsweetened flakes are golden brown, about 5 minutes (sweetened shredded coconut will be only slightly browned). Cool completely, about 10 minutes. Reserve unsweetened flaked coconut for garnish. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

Step 4

Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.

Step 5

Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add brown sugar and remaining 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar, and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition (mixture may look broken). Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed until just combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in shredded carrots, shredded coconut, walnuts, and raisins.

Step 6

Spread batter in prepared pan, smoothing top. Bake at 325°F until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack, and cool completely, about 1 hour.

Step 7

Meanwhile, prepare the Coconut Buttercream: Whisk together coconut milk, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan until completely combined and smooth. Bring mixture to a boil over medium, stirring often. Boil, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Scrape mixture onto a plate, and cover surface with plastic wrap. Cool completely, about 30 minutes (or about 20 minutes in the refrigerator).

Step 8

Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar; beat on medium-low speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Beat in extracts. Add coconut milk mixture, a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread buttercream over top of cooled cake, and garnish with reserved toasted flaked coconut and carrot curls.

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