Chef Rebecca Rathers Coconut Cake Recipes

CHRISTMAS COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the bottom third of the oven and another in the top third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter three 9-inch cake pans, then line each with a parchment paper round. Butter the paper and dust the pans with flour; knock out the excess.
• Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt to blend. In a small bowl, stir together the milk, coconut milk, and coconut cream until smooth. Add the flour mixture in 3 increments, alternating with the milk mixture in 2 increments, starting and ending with the flour mixture. After each addition, mix at low speed just to combine the ingredients. Stir in the vanilla.
• Place an oven rack in the bottom third of the oven and another in the top third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter three 9-inch cake pans, then line each with a parchment paper round. Butter the paper and dust the pans with flour; knock out the excess.
• To make the whipped cream filling:
• Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cream on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in the coconut cream and the fresh coconut, if using.
• To make the frosting:
• Whisk the egg whites, sugar, water, cream of tartar, and salt in a large stainless-steel bowl until thoroughly combined. Place the bowl over a saucepan filled with 2 inches of barely simmering water. Using a hand beater or handheld electric mixer, continue beating the egg white mixture for 4 minutes. Add the mini marshmallows in 2 increments while continuing to beat. Wait until the first batch of marshmallows has melted before adding the second. Continue beating for 2 to 3 minutes more, until stiff peaks form. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla, and continue beating until the frosting is thick enough to spread.
• To assemble the cake:
• Stack one cake layer on a serving plate and spread the top with half of the whipped cream filling. Repeat with a second layer. Stack the final cake layer on top of the first two and cover the cake's top and sides with the frosting. Sprinkle the coconut on the top and sides of the cake.
• Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and store for 1 day at room temperature or up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Tip:
• It's challenging to press coconut into the sides of the cake. When pressing the coconut in, the icing invariably sticks to my fingers and mars the frosting's finish. I've discovered that throwing small handfuls of coconut toward the side of the cake makes it adhere quite well-a messy but effective technique for creating a gorgeous-looking cake.
• Tip:
• For those who want to follow Aunt Molly's original recipe, here are her directions for extracting coconut meat and liquid from a fresh coconut: "First buy a fresh coconut. To select the best one, shake it to listen for a lot of milk inside. Prepare the coconut by first making a hole or two in one end with a hammer and ice pick. Stand the coconut up over a small bowl or glass measuring cup to catch the milk as it drains out. Next, crack the hard outer shell with a hammer, then pry off the pieces. The inner white coconut meat can then be grated [with a handheld microplane grater]. Refrigerate both the milk and grated coconut until ready to use."

LEMON CAKE WITH COCONUT ICING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease three 9-inch cake pans with butter and dust with flour.
• Bake the cake: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside. In a small bowl, combine the milk and vanilla and set aside.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add a third of the flour mixture, then half the milk mixture in alternating additions, mixing in between just enough to incorporate, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary.
• Divide the batter among the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. The cakes should be barely done in the middle. Cool 5 minutes in the pans, then unmold onto wire racks to cool.
• To make the lemon curd: In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, flour and cornstarch. In a bowl whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice and 1 cup of water. Beat in the eggs. Slowly whisk the lemon mixture into the sugar mixture. Cook over medium heat, slowly whisking until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Set aside to cool, then refrigerate until ready to use. (This can be made several days ahead.)
• Make the icing: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with 1/2 cup cold water and bring to a boil over high heat without stirring. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Dip a spoon into the syrup and let it drip off. When a 2- to 3-inch thread hangs off, remove from heat. Meanwhile, change the mixer attachment to the whisk attachment and beat the egg whites on medium speed until they hold their shape, about 2 minutes. With the mixer running, slowly add in the syrup in a steady stream. Increase the speed and beat the mixture until firm, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and whisk briefly to combine. Set aside.
• To assemble: Place 1 cake layer on a serving platter. Spread half the lemon curd on top, but do not let it spill down the sides. Repeat with the second layer, then top with the third cake. Spread the icing on the top and sides, then cover it with the coconut, pressing it in on the sides with the palms of your hands.

CHEF REBECCA RATHER'S COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the bottom third of the oven and another in the top third of the oven. Preheat oven to 350°F Butter three 9-inch cake pans, then line each with a parchment round. Butter the paper and dust the pans with flour; knock out excess.
• Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt to blend. In a small bowl, stir together the milk, coconut milk and coconut cream until smooth. Add the flour mixture in three increments, alternating with the milk mixture in two increments, starting and ending with the flour mixture. After each addition, mix at low speed just to combine the ingredients. Stir in the vanilla.
• Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter until evenly blended. Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Set two layers on the top rack and the third on the lower rack. Stagger the cake layers on the oven racks so that no layer is directly over another.
• Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cakes comes out clean. Monitor the layers carefully for doneness; each may be done at a different time. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then unmold onto wire racks to cool completely.
• Make whipped cream filling; set aside.
• Make frosting; set aside.
• To assemble the cake, stack one cake layer on a serving plate and spread the top with half of whipped cream filling. Repeat with a second layer. Stack the final cake layer on top of the first two and cover the cake's top and sides with the frosting. Sprinkle the coconut on the top and sides of the cake.
• Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and store for 1 day at room temperature or up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
• Whipped cream filling: Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in 2 tablespoons coconut cream (such as Coco Lopez) and 1/2 cup grated fresh coconut (optional).
• Frosting: Whisk 2 large egg whites, 11/2 cups sugar, 1/3 cup cold water, 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a large stainless-steel bowl until thoroughly combined. Place the bowl over a saucepan filled with 2 inches of barely simmering water. Using a hand beater or handheld electric mixer, continue beating the egg white mixture for 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup mini marshmallows in 2 increments while continuing to beat. Wait until the first batch of marshmallows has melted before adding the second. Continue beating for 2 to 3 minutes more, until stiff peaks form. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla and continue beating until the frosting is thick enough to spread.
• NOTE:It's challenging to press coconut into the sides of the cake. When pressing the coconut in, the icing invariably sticks to my fingers and mars the frosting's finish. I've discovered that throwing small handfuls of coconut toward the side of the cake makes it adhere quite well - a messy but effective technique for creating a gorgeous cake.