Brighten your day and forget the cold with this light and airy toasted coconut and lemon cake that just so happens to be vegan!
Has it been cold where you live? Has it been downright cold-to-the-bone? It has literally been freezing where I live in Milwaukee, WI. With the temperatures being what they are, it makes me want to escape to a faraway land with palm trees and sand. As I was shivering standing in my cold kitchen, looking outside at the snow covered ground, all I could think about was warmer climates and sunshine.
And nothing conjures up thoughts of tropical places like the flavors of coconut and the bright color of lemons, so why not combine the two into a delicious cake? Cake makes everything better, right?
I had been playing around with the coconut-lemon flavor combination for a while, and could not have been happier at the cake form my idea turned into. Better than that, the cake just so happens to be vegan! I am not vegan, but lately I cannot get enough of coconut recipes that just so happen to be vegan (like these no bake coconut date energy bites…I’ve made them 3 times over the past month!)
The cake is subtly sweet with lemon and coconut hints of flavor, and then the sweet frosting and toasted coconut on top tie it all together. The toasting of the coconut flakes really brings out the warm coconut flavor that you want on the top of the cake.
Topping the cake with lemon slices not only looks beautiful and decorative, but as the lemons sit on top of the cake they add a little lemon flavor to the frosting that gives it an extra zip!
All around, this cake is super flavorful and reminiscent of warmer days and will bring brightness into your day!
Vegan Toasted Coconut and Lemon Cake
Ingredients
- For the cake:
- 1/3 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/3 cup coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- juice from 1/2 of a lemon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- zest of a whole lemon
- 1/2 cup raw cane sugar
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut divided
- For the frosting:
- 3 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoon coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 lemon thinly sliced for top of cake
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a springform pan bottom with parchment paper and then grease the pan with coconut oil.
- In a bowl start by mixing all the 'wet' ingredients (coconut oil, coconut milk, vinegar, lemon juice, vanilla extract) with a hand or stand mixer.
- To the mixing bowl add the sugar and beat again. Then mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix again, then add in lemon zest and 1/4 cup shredded coconut and mix.
- Spoon into springform pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting it.
- While the cake is cooling, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and add remaining shredded coconut to the baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- To make the frosting cream together coconut oil and milk, then add in vanilla extract, and slowly add in the powdered sugar and mix until it is a smooth and thick frosting consistency.
- Spread frosting on the top of the cake, then sprinkle toasted coconut around the edge of the cake, and layer thinly sliced lemons in the top center of the cake.
This cake was made as part of my contributorship on the Rachel Cook’s blogÂ
Shauni says
Hello, is this Australian or American cup measurements? Desperate to make this cake, looks so good!
Sweetphi says
Hi Shauni, this is in American cup measurements, hope that helps 🙂
Ashley says
Oh how I love toasted coconut! This cake looks fantastic with that and the lemon! Perfect for spring 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Ashley! Toasted coconut is my fave, then add lemon, omg, I could eat this cake all day lol! Thank you so much for commenting!
Kelsey says
the toasted coconut really adds a beautiful visual to the cake. very well done!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much! The toasted coconut really brought the flavors together too 🙂
whiskandshout says
Gorgeous photos, a little bite of spring in this cake 🙂 Love the lemon garnish!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much! I needed a little burst of yellow to break up the cloudy days 🙂
llortiz1213 says
Well this is right up my alley! 🙂 It looks so light and fluffy. This would be great to make for our next family gathering. 🙂
Sweetphi says
I think your family would totally love it, it brings sunshine into any gathering, not to mention deliciousness 🙂
Courtney says
What a delicious-looking cake! Now that the Whole30 is over, I’ll be glad to start trying Paleo desserts.
We haven’t had much snow this winter in the South, but we got about 7 inches yesterday. The best part? It was dairy reintroduction day and I was able to make snow ice cream. Double win!
Sweetphi says
I love your comments, I always learn so much! Please keep me posted how you like Paleo desserts…I haven’t quite made it quite there yet to cooking paleo desserts, but I definitely want to try. And snow ice cream?!? I’m off to google that right now, sounds amazing!
Courtney says
Aw, that’s so sweet!
I’m thankful that other people come up with the Paleo dessert recipes and all I have to do is try them.
And I’m so surprised that you didn’t know what snow ice cream is.
Sweetphi says
I’m surprised I didn’t know about snow ice cream… now that I do though…I totally need to make it happen 🙂
Jamie says
I’m not vegan but have several friends that are so I’m always on the lookout for good vegan desserts. This looks LOVELY. = )
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I definitely think your friends (both vegan and non vegan) would love this!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This looks so delicious, and I adore your cake stand! such a pretty color 🙂 the lemon and coconut together sounds delicious!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much, I love spring pastels 🙂 and the lemon and coconut flavor combo is one of my favorite combos 🙂
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Coconut and lemon is the best combo! I would slather that frosting on everything or really just eat it with a spoon if I’m being honest. 🙂
Sweetphi says
YES! The frosting was so delicious, I may or may not have had a spoonful or two 😉
wearenotmartha says
All I want to do is put my pajamas on, sit on the couch under ten blankets, and eat this cake. Is that too much to ask???
Sues
Sweetphi says
Hhaahha, no Sues, it is not too much to ask, that is exactly what I want to do too!