Easy Coconut Cake

Yous cannot get easier than this recipe which uses a cake mix and pudding mix in the same cake, but this cake tastes great.

Kiki’s Famous Coconut Cake from Tyler Florence Family Meal

Makes one 9-inch cake

Ingredients

Cake:

1 package yellow cake mix
1 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding
4 large eggs
1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Frosting:

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 teaspoons whole milk
3 1/5 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9 inch round cake pans and dust with flour, tapping out the excess.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, and 1 1/2 cups water. With an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until well combined. Sir in the coconut.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Make the frosting: Spread the coconut on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring once or twice to ensure it browns evenly. Let cool. Combine the butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat until fluffy. Add the milk and beat until smooth. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar, then beat in the vanilla. Stir in all but 1/2 cup of the toasted coconut.

Place one cake layer on a cake stand and spread with some of the frosting. Add the next layer, then more frosting. Top with the last 1/2 cup of shredded coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve.