Kiwi, Mango, and Pineapple Coconut Cake
For an out-of-the-ordinary, tasty treat, we’re eating a homemade coconut layer caked filled with layer upon layer of fresh whipped cream, mangos, kiwi, and
pineapple. The cake was iced with a coconut whipped cream and covered with toasted coconut flakes, then garnished with fresh fruit.
The whole shebangA: so… it looks like i held up my end of the deal, eh? 🙂 post following mac & cheese…. CAKE!
T: ah yes, so it is. Well done Amanda! I was wondering why you didn’t want to blog dinner for the last 3 nights.
A: hehehe shut up! may that’s because we only ate dumplings for the last three nights!
T: 😛 I know, I was just messing with you. So, you know what I ate for lunch today?
A: carnitas tacos?
T: no. I had a chile relleno burrito.
A: hmmm… a chile relleno burrito? do they stuff the chile with cheese, deep fry it, then roll it up in a tortilla?
T: That was pretty much it. There was some lettuce in there too. It was alright. Not nearly as good as their California Burritos, though.
A: sounds just alright. but we need to focus here, t. we’re talking sweets tonight, not what the hell you had for lunch! 😉
T: ok, fine. let’s talk about sweets. right before lunch I had a granola bar. It was great. Have you had anything sweet today?
A: uh… Hellll-looo! this is a post about that awesome tropically coconutty cake! not about the granola bar you ate for breakfast…
T: damn woman. Why we always gotta talk about food you make? What about my granola bar? Just kidding. I don’t really want to talk about the granola bar. Yes, the cake was really quite delicious. It’s really cool to hear that the property manager liked it. Food is good for kissing the butts of people with power over you.
A: true dat! it was especially nice for me, because i freaking locked myself out of the house today and had to go suck up some more to that wonderful woman to get the master key…
T: Let’s give some food away to someone who could swoop in like an angel and save us from our day jobs.
A: oprah?… are you out there? are you reading this? i’ve got a piece of cake with your name on it!
T: you’ve had that piece of cake for 7 years now. It might be time to make Oprah a new piece of cake.
A: dude… i totally schalacked it. it’ll stay good for years to come… on the mantle. she can eat a piece of the coconut cake.
T: here’s a question for you, if you could make any dish for Oprah, what would it be?
A: hmmm… that’s a great question. i dunno… i know she grew up in the deep south so maybe i’d hit her with some soul food, or maybe a stuffed bread… or a stuffed burger… probably not sweets. they aren’t my strong suit.
T: We know she likes flavored popcorn. That’s all I personally know about her food likes. We should stalk oprah. Is it illegal to say that?
A: i dunno, but i do know that we are trying to get oprah to like us… not get a restraining order taken out on us!
T: yeah. I don’t really want to stalk oprah. I like Oprah… but not that much.
A: here’s a call to the goddess herself… Oprah, would you be our friend?!?
T: You know what? this is sad. We’re calling out to Oprah. Screw Oprah. we’re going to be the next Oprah.
A: okay, oprah… only tyler means that. I totally don’t! i would like to aspire to be as giving as you are though.
T: shit, you put a 25% tip on a meal and that’s more of your income than if Oprah gave away a small country filled with able-bodied workers.
A: hehehe you are too much. well, now that we’ve pleaded for oprah to swoop in and save us. let’s refocus. The cake. I’m not a masterfully skilled cake baker. frankly, i’ve never baked a cake like this before.
T: what do you mean “a cake like this”?
A: well… i guess i mean a cake. the only cake i’ve made from scratch other than this, is those green tea cupcakes with cream cheese icing i made a few weeks ago.
T: sadly they didn’t get blogged about. But they did get eaten, rapidly. But, what about the King Cake??
A: ah… well technically that’s not really a cake. it’s more of a filled sweet yeast bread. but it is called a cake.
T: yeah, I agree, it’s not a cake. So this is your first cake that wasn’t a cupcake or made from a box?
A: yup… that would be correct. I’m really not much of a sweets baker. i like to bake breads, but not really cakes. I love to eat cakes… but i’ve never really tried my hand at them. The one thing i will say, is that baking would be so much easier if i had some electrical devices to help me to do things like whip cream or egg whites into stiff peaks. as it is, my forearems and shoulders get a serious work-out making cakes. like would be easier if we weren’t living in another century in the kitchen.
T: yeah, I mean, crap. The 20th century is so over. Can we get some modern appliances, helloo! our oven is the size of a microwave!
A: on the real-ah. thankfully for this cake, i baked it at work, so it didn’t come out burnt on the bottom and raw on top.
T: You know, I don’t know if you can get a grasp of our tone by reading this blog. I was reading some of what we wrote, and it sounded like a 16 year old was chatting on myspace. But, that’s because we were making fun of 16 year olds. But readers don’t always know that. I mean, somebody emailed me asking me what grade I was in. For christ sake people. I’m 25. I’m not in a grade.
A: ha ha funny funny.
T: Alright back to the tropical coconut cake. Were you pleased with this cake?
A: overall, i was. the actual cake part was a little dense, i don’t know if that’s because of the recipe or the fact that i had to whip everything by hand and didn’t do that good of a job. but other than that, i dug it.
T: I actually liked its density. It was still incredibly soft and moist. It was just dense, and that was a good thing for me.
A: sweet… well, i give this cake a 4.0/5. It was quite tasty and had lots of yummy ripe fruits that balanced the flavors out. although when i first tried it i thought it was too sweet, every other time i ate it i thought it was great. i would definately make this again, only the next time, i will choose a different recipe to make the actual “cake” part.
T: I give it a 4.2/5. That may seem like a low rating considering how much I liked the cake, but… I know it was your first cake. I have to leave room for the ratings to go up!
A: sweet! you know, i really liked you suggesting a theme for me to cook for this post… any suggesting for the next post?
T: hmm……………………. I don’t know, has Rachael Ray made anything good lately?
A: 😛
*See note at end of recipe.
For the cake:
1 18.5-ounce package yellow cake mix
3 large eggs
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup Coco Lòpez
1/3 cup water
fresh ripe mangos, peeled cored, and sliced
fresh ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced
fresh ripe kiwi, peeled and sliced
For frosting:
2 - 3 cups heavy whipping cream, VERY cold
sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 bag sweetened coconut flakes, 1/2 toasted - 1/2 untoasted
Make the cake:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour 2 9-inch cake pans then line the bottom with parchment paper. Add all ingredients for the cake to a large mixing bowl. Beat just until smooth. Divide cake mix evenly into cake pans. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until a toothpick stuck into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool on a rack for at 10 minutes then remove the cakes from the pan and allow to cool completely.
While the cakes are cooling, combine heavy whipping cream, sugar (to taste), and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. beat until thick (the texture of "whipped cream" - duh! 🙂 ). If the cream is refusing to get thick, try chilling it in the freezer shortly. The colder it is the easier it is to whip. Once whipped, fold in untoasted sweetened coconut flakes to taste.
Once the cakes have cooled, cut each of them in half to form 4 half-cake rounds. On a cake stand lined w/ parchment paper place 1 bottom half of a cake. Spread on a layer of coconut whipped cream. Layer mango over the whipped cream. Place another layer of cake on top of the mango. Repeat layering cake alternating with whipped cream, fruit, and cake so that you end with a top piece of cake. Once all the layers have been assembled, evenly frost the cake with the more whipped cream. Gently sprinkle and pat toasted coconut evenly over the cake. Finally arrange slices of fruit on top as a garnish. Keep cake chilled until 1 hour prior to serving. Store chilled. Enjoy!
*Note: I made this cake 1 1/2 years ago. I didn't make it with a boxed cake mix but I thought my cake was too dense so I've changed that aspect here. This "recipe" is coming from memory because of the high demand for it. I do not take any responsibility for bad results! Make at your own risk!
The chile relleño burrito at Cotijas…has beans and sour cream, not lettuce…and it is perfect! (bunches of locations)….
Great looking cake. I had to do a double take when I saw it. Something about the mango and the layers with the toasted cococut. I also love cakes like this because whip cream is usually perfect: 1) because its easy to do and 2) its not too sweet to block all the other sweets from coming out. Thanks!
Wait… you baked a cake??? I thought you were a chef!? Are you turning to the dark side!? O_O !!!!
Mango in cake…. mmmmmm….. mango…..
I love whipped cream in cake. This one looks fabulous!
What the hell are those things at the top of the screen, guys!? They’re terrifying! 😉
Okay, I adore you guys, but those…things…at the top of the page are giving me the heebie jeebies. Is this for Halloween?
Gorgeous cake, though. And, I made your recipe for Grits and Grillades last night, and it was so delicious that I forgot to take a picture! Whoops.
Great blog. The dialogue is fantastic and that cake looks amazing. Very ambitious for your first cake!! I too wish Oprah was my best friend. I have emailed her quite frequently….she doesn’t know what she is missing out on! 🙂
Thanks for visiting my blog.
There is nothing prettier than toasted coconut over white frosting…and I CANNOT believe you whipped that shit by hand! That is super impressive. Which one of you is the mango and which one is the chicken?
yum!!!! 🙂
I’m drooling right now godammit. 🙂
OMG, that looks fantastic. I don’t care if they think you are in grade school – I like the dialog – it makes me feel like I know you… spooky. But seriously do you guys export cake to New Zealand? 🙂
cake looks heavenly.
i like your new header, even if it is a little creepy.
Cathy, that sounds much better than the chili relleno burrito with lettuce! can you suggest a mexican restaurant this side of the border that serves great refried beans, filled with lard and all that yumminess?!?
Why thank you Husband! i personally have a weakness for coconut cake, and completely agree with you on the whipped cream. i can’t really hand frosting or icing that is mainly just sugar. the whipped cream keeps it nice and light (at least flavor-wise… it is heavy cream after all!)
hehehe You crack me up Lea! aren’t i allowed to want to eat some cake every now and again? being that this was my first cake, i was quite pleasantly suprised at the results 🙂
Ros, thank you and i’m sorry! – thanks for the compliment! and i’m terribly sorry that the new header terrified you! 😉 we thinks it’s pretty funny! looks like we might be alone on that one though… maybe we should take a poll on it
marianne, i always get nervous when someone says they’re going to make a recipe of mine… like i’m gonna screw up their evening or something if i forgot some ingredients or was off in la la land when i was typing the recipe up. i’m so happy that it worked out for you! and i’m gonna have to apologize to you too… for scaring you, that is! you don’t just adore the little whatwereeating header tyler made up for us in photoshop?!? 😛
thank you for all your compliments Ashley! you too have a great blog…i don’t know why oprah hasn’t written either of us back. 😛 one of these days i just know she’ll respond!
thanks michelle, finally i get some appreciation! whipping all that cream by hand seriously tested my desire to finish the cake… i’ll admit there were times i wanted to quit.. but some how i pulled through 😉 btw, i’m on the chicken and tyler’s on the mango… does it freak you our like it does most of our readers? and do you still want to meet up for lunch/dinner sometime?
thanks ralph!
talamasca, sometimes it good to drool!
thanks Tim! we definately try to keep it real 🙂 and for the bargain price of a round trip plane ticket to new zealand, i will certainly deliver a cake to you! or deliver myself, then make you a cake in your house 😉
thanks for the support, luna! you’re the first positive feed back we’ve gotten on the header… at the very least it’s memorable right? 😛
Very nice cake…..yummy!
oh amanda that is gorgeous! i think i’m falling in love with you. i absolutely love fruity cakey deserts. and the whipped cream there looks out of this world. MMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Do you remember the Quiznos commercials with the spongemonkeys?
They didnt run them for long, but before than I had never eaten at a Quiznos… the songemonkeys were just freaky enough to scare me into trying one…..
anyways thats what your new header reminds me of….
“They got a pepper bar… at Quiznos SUBS!”
Carnitas Uruapan. Episode 8/week two of “What Cathy Eats!” on mmm-yoso… its the best. On Broadway in Lemon Grove.
coconut, huh? yummie, I need to get some dessert now, thanks;) Hope you guys are holding up well. The food is looking tasty as usual
[…] For instance – this Kiwi, Mango, and Pineapple Coconut Cake looks great. Then there’s these Chocolate Chip blondies (modified brownies). They’re vegan too – how they got vegan chocolate chips I don’t know, maybe they’re carob. An an interesting looking Seeded Orange Soda Bread caught my eye too. For a simple, but still great photo – check out these Chocolate-Covered Marshmallows. There’s also Kylie Lambert in Sydney making amazing looking cakes/cupcakes for Le Cupcake – and posting the pictures on flickr. (The phone number of the bakery is in this photo, if you were interested) […]
My god that looks like a masterpiece! Wow!
I LOVE YOUR HEADER, Missy Chicken and Mister Mango!
Can I get a tshirt made out of your header?
Hey dear! The only reason why people ask you which grade you are in is because they think you are still young!Ever cheerful and jolly! haha LOVE THE CAKE!(:
Thanks Krista!
aria, i couldn’t agree more… mmmm fruity… cakeeeeyyyyy…. whipped creeeeaaaaammmmy! WOO HOO! 😀
heheh lea, i don’t know if i was in an area where the quizno’s spongemonkey commercials were run, but my god, the thought is enough to crack me up. i’m definately on the level where i would have laughed my ass off at that.
Cathy, you know, before you even wrote your comment, I read your post on mmm-yoso and was really wanting to give Carnitas Uruapan a whirl. i’m on the hunt for the best carnitas in SD. 🙂
thanks wes! how could we not be holding up well in “america’s finest city” 😉 we miss the heck out of yous guys thoughs. 🙁
Thank you charles! i was quite happy with it, considering it was one of my first cakes ever.
H & B, at least someone loves it! 😉 and yes, bobby, tyler and i are working on the T-shirt thing. wouldn’t that be too funny?
Thanks Denise! and congratulations of your upcoming graduation 🙂 we’ll have to eat some dessert in your honor!
hell of a cake ! (mango & coconut etc. but where is the recipe!
I”d appreciate it,
Kind regards from England
this cake look so good! how bout u give meeh duh recipe so i can cook it muh-self? i mean if datz ok with chu!.. once again luvin yah cookin!.. and i wish i was u..
Could you please share the receipe for the Kiwi,Mango, Pineapple , coconut cake?
I would like the recipe as well, please 🙂
I would also like the recipe.
Than You
I would like the recipe as well, please! Baking for my dear friend =)
I posted a bulletin on myspace giving notice to your very tasty website – as well as posted credit to you on my page.
Would it be possible to get the recipe for your Kiwi, Mango and Pineapple Coconut cake? I am truly smitten with this masterpiece.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Greetings! My granddaughter loves coconut, so would like to bake this for her birthday! Looks absolutely wonderful! Perfect as a birthday cake!! Thank you.
Dear Incredible Baker,
May I have the recepie for tropical coconut cake? My spouse will love it! Thanks.
please urgent, having luau party for daughters b-day, would absolutely love this recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you for your time
thanks everyone for all the awesome compliments! i never did write down the recipe for this but i figured it wouldn’t hurt to give out the overall gist of what i did so you can try to reproduce it for yourselves. i decided to recommend a cake mix since i originally thought the cake was too dense. if anyone attempts it and wants to come back and comment on the outcome, that would be great!
the cake looks and sounds wonderful. i would like to make it, but i’m not sure what Coco Lòpez is.