• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sweetphi logo

  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Five Ingredient Fridays
    • Reader Recreations
  • About
    • About & Contact
    • Partnerships
  • Cookbooks
  • Life
    • Love Lists
    • Catching up with the Kelnhofers
    • Travel
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Coconut Rum Cake Recipe

Dec 21, 2020 · 3 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links, please see my privacy policy for details.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This coconut rum cake recipe makes a light and heavenly cake with toasted coconut and subtle coconut and rum flavors! It would be perfect for the holidays or any time you’re dreaming of a tropical getaway.

Coconut Rum Cake Recipe

I was so drawn to the lovely story in The Coincidence of Coconut Cake that when the author shared the coconut cake recipe at the back of the book, I just had to make it. I tweaked it, only slightly, to make it a coconut rum cake.

Coconut rum cake recipe

Besides basic cake ingredients, what else do you need to make this cake?

  • Coconut cream – In case you’re not familiar with this ingredient, I use this for coconut cream. It’s a thick coconut cream, not to be confused with coconut milk. It’s also called cream of coconut sometimes, but you can find it next to the coconut milk at the store.
  • Coconut milk – you won’t use a whole jar/can of this, so I like to save the extra and make some of my favorite Thai dishes.  Or you can enjoy it in your coffee!
  • Coconut extract – for an extra boost of coconut flavor!
  • Rum extract – I added this ingredient to compliment the coconut flavors – rum and coconut taste great together.

Other than these few ingredients, you likely have everything else on hand.  Items like eggs, butter, sugar etc.

Coconut rum cake split between two pans

This coconut rum cake would be perfect to enjoy alongside a nice cup of coffee, as you’re reading the book I mentioned above (The Coincidence of Coconut Cake). I love the story for so many reasons, but one of which is that it actually takes place in Milwaukee (where I live!)

Spreading frosting on one layer of the coconut rum cake

The story is “You’ve Got Mail” meets How to Eat a Cupcake in this delightful novel about a talented chef and the food critic who brings down her restaurant—whose chance meeting turns into a delectable romance of mistaken identities.” – sounds lovely doesn’t it!?

I love when books move you and make you feel, and this book was just so lovely in so many ways. The story was well written, I loved the location and the recipe was a smashing hit – everyone loved it!

Coconut rum cake stacked

Making this coconut rum cake recipe made me so happy because it reminded my of the great story that inspired it and I always love having a connection to my baking!

Coconut Rum Cake Recipe

Coconut Rum Cake Recipe

This coconut rum cake is light and heavenly with toasted coconut and subtle coconut and rum flavors! It would be perfect for the holidays or any time you’re dreaming of a tropical getaway. 
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Cooling: 10 minutes
Servings: 10 people

Equipment

  • KitchenAid® Artisan Stand Mixer
  • Round Cake Pans (Gold Touch)
  • Electric hand mixer
  • Large non-stick skillet

Ingredients

Coconut Rum Cake

  • 5 large egg whites save the yolks to make homemade pudding
  • 3/4 cup cream of coconut (known as coconut cream too)
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk make sure to stir the contents very well to recombine before measuring. Save leftovers for Thai food or your coffee
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp. coconut extract
  • 1 Tbs. Rum extract
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract I’ve been known to use more—make sure it’s REAL vanilla. I prefer Mexican vanilla, but use what you like
  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 Tbs. baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp. table salt
  • 12 Tbs. unsalted butter softened, cut into 12 pieces

Coconut Rum Frosting

  • 8 Tbs. unsalted butter softened (1 stick)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. rum extract
  • 1/4 cup cream of coconut
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-2 cups toasted coconut

Instructions

For the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Brush or rub melted butter onto two 9-inch cake pans (you can use cooking spray, but the butter will taste better), then line the pan bottoms with parchment paper (trust me, this makes cake removal so much easier).
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the egg whites with a hand or stand mixer until they start to form soft peaks, then add in cream of coconut, coconut milk, whole egg, and extracts and mix together until combined and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. With a mixer on low speed, beat in the butter, one piece at a time, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, 2 to 5 minutes (about two minutes for a stand mixer, closer to 5 minutes with a hand-held mixer).
  • Increase the speed to medium-high and add 1 cup of the egg mixture. Beat until light and fluffy, about 45 seconds (a little longer with a hand mixer). Add the remaining egg mixture in a steady stream and continue to beat until the batter is combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape down the bowl and beaters as needed.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake until a wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cakes comes out with a few crumbs, about 30-35 minutes. All ovens vary, so be careful not to over bake. Rotate the pans halfway through baking.
    Coconut rum cake split between two pans
  • Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes on wire racks. Run a knife around the edge, then flip out onto the racks. Remove the parchment paper, flip the cakes upright, and let them cool completely before frosting.

Coconut Frosting

  • You can toast the coconut however you like: oven, microwave, or stovetop. I like to do it in a non-stick skillet on medium-low, stirring every few minutes. Careful once it starts to brown as it can go from toasty goodness to burnt crud very quickly. I spread it out on paper towels to cool and save any leftovers to put on ice cream.
    Coconut topping for coconut rum cake

To Make the Frosting

  • Beat the butter and cream of coconut in a large bowl at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Reduce the speed to medium-low and slowly add the extracts and then the powdered sugar. Beat until smooth, about 2-5 minutes. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4 to 8 minutes.
    Frosting for coconut rum cake
  • Set one layer of cake on a cake stand or plate; you can use a dab of frosting to keep it in place. Take 1/2 cup of frosting and spread over the bottom layer (an offset spatula works well for this). Sprinkle with toasted coconut. This gives a nice crunch in the middle of the cake.
    Coconut rum cake layer one
  • Set the second layer on top of the first. Scoop out the remaining frosting onto the top of the cake. Spread the frosting to the edge of the cake, I just made mine into a naked cake, but you could spread the frosting down the sides if you’d like (this helps hide flaws.) 
    Coconut rum cake layers
  • Sprinkle remaining toasted coconut over the top of the cake. 
    Coconut rum cake stacked
  • Slice and enjoy!
    Coconut rum cake

Notes

The nutrition information presented on this site should be considered an estimate as the calculations will change based on the exact products you use in your own kitchen.

Nutrition

Calories: 666kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 58g | Vitamin A: 723IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 1mg

 

Related Posts

  • No-bake-Coconut-cream-fruit-tarts
    Coconut Cream Fruit Tarts {no bake, naturally gluten free and vegan Valentine’s day dessert}

    These naturally sweetened, no sugar added, coconut cream fruit tarts are the perfect no bake,…

  • No-bake-coconut-energy-bites
    No Bake Coconut Date Energy Bites

    These naturally sweet no bake coconut date energy bites are sweet little bites of absolute…

  • vegan-coconut-lemon-cake
    Vegan Toasted Coconut and Lemon Cake

    Brighten your day and forget the cold with this light and airy toasted coconut and…

Blog Posts, Cakes & Cupcakes, Dessert, Recipes Cake recipe, coconut rum cake, Coconut rum cake recipe, dessert recipe

Did you make this recipe? Hashtag with us! Be sure to follow/tag @PhiliaKelnhofer and hashtag #sweetphiblog – we love to see what you’re cooking up!”

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sabrina says

    December 26, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    5 stars
    fun flavors in this cake, thank you, even happy to make beyond holidays as you suggest!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      December 28, 2020 at 8:59 am

      I’m so glad you enjoy this, hope you love this delicious cake!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Catching up with the Kelnhofers-72 - Sweetphi says:
    January 8, 2021 at 8:13 am

    […] mousse | Coconut rum cake | Hot chocolate […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Sweetphi - Philia Kelnhofer - food blogger head shot image

Welcome to the SweetPhi blog, I’m Phi! I live in Milwaukee, WI. I’m a busy working mom (and cookbook author x2) to boy-girl twins and a toddler.

I am all about helping make mealtime a little easier and sharing inspiration for those with a busy lifestyle!

Learn More

This Month's Most Popular

Related Posts

  • 1 Sugar Cut Out Cookies {that actually hold their shape}
  • 2 The Best Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • 3 The Best Pumpkin Loaf Ever (Gluten Free and better than Starbucks)
  • 4 No Bake Coconut Date Energy Bites
  • 5 5 Ingredient Peanut Brittle without a Candy Thermometer

Get the exclusive content you crave straight to your inbox.

 

Footer

Who doesn’t love Mexican food?! 🙌⠀⠀⠀⠀ Who doesn’t love Mexican food?! 🙌⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I like to prep these Mexican chicken and quinoa bowls on the weekend and then have everything ready to go for a quick dinner during the week.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I just separate everything in containers, and then when we need a quick dinner, I just put everything on the table and let everyone choose their toppings.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Clickable link in profile 👉🏻 https://sweetphi.com/mexican-chicken-and-quinoa-bowls-recipe/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#dinnerideas #chickenrecipes #quinoa #healthyeats #chickendinner #bowls #bowlmeal #glutenfreerecipe #sweetphiblog #easydinnerideas #easymealideas #recipes #healthydinner #quickmeals  #30minutemeals  #easyrecipe  #foodblogeats #healthy #healthyfood #workingmom  #mealplanning  #whatsfordinner  #theeverygirlcooks  #recipedeveloper #mealprepsunday #mealprep #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfree #mealprepideas
I love using my Instant Pot for soups because you I love using my Instant Pot for soups because you can build amazing flavors in no time at all! ⏱️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When you make this Instant Pot chicken and rice turmeric soup, it will be bright yellow! You’ll taste flavor notes of ginger and lemon (and, of course, a slight earthiness of turmeric). YUM!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you cook with an Instant Pot?!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Clickable link in profile 👉🏻 https://sweetphi.com/instant-pot-chicken-and-rice-turmeric-soup-recipe/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#instantpotrecipes #instantpotrecipe #sweetphiblog #dinner #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #recipes #easydinnerideas #instantpot #quickmeals #easyrecipes #recipe #easydinnerrecipe #mainmeal #mainmealideas #soup #souprecipe #turmeric #mainmealrecipes #familydinner #supper #supperideas #chickenrecipe #chicken #goldensoup #turmericsoup #soupseason #souprecipes
Can we talk food storage? 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Storage containers and finding the right ones that work for me has been a complete game changer! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Not only do I use containers as mixing bowls/etc but I also use them for food storage and for photography props!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Fave food storage containers 👉🏻 https://sweetphi.com/best-food-storage-containers/ 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#foodstorage #containers #ecofriendly #sweetphiblog #foodphotographer #foodphotohraphyprops #foodstoragecontainers #kitchenfinds
I can’t get over how much I love my air fryer. 🤩 Do you use one?!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I was skeptical at first, but the food is so delicious and quick to make!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This air fryer falafel bowls recipe is so versatile that you can’t go wrong. They work great as a dinner or even an appetizer/snack for a party or a lunch!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Clickable link in profile 👉🏻 https://sweetphi.com/air-fryer-falafel-bowls-recipe/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#airfryerrecipe #airfryerrecipws  #sweetphiblog #lunch #easyrecipe #lunchideas #mealprep #lunchrecipes #recipes #lunchrecipe #falafel #falafelbowls #airfryer #airfryerrecipes #easylunch #healthy #healthyrecipe #vegetarian #vegetarianrecipe #mainmeals #mealideas #mainmeal #mainmealideas #easylunchideas
"WOW! Delicious easy and flavorful pork roast and "WOW! Delicious easy and flavorful pork roast and potatoes recipe" - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ SweetPhi Reader Emily 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I love seeing comments like this one on my 5 ingredient crock pot pork roast and potatoes!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I absolutely love making recipes in the slow cooker because of little hands on time and are very set-it-and-forget-it type meals.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you use a slow cooker?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Clickable link in profile or 👉🏻https://sweetphi.com/5-ingredient-crock-pot-pork-roast-potatoes-recipe
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#crockpotrecipes #slowcookerrecipes #5starreview #recipereviews #sweetphiblog #dinner #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #recipes #easydinnerideas #crockpotrecipe #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreerecipes #foodblog #recipeoftheday #easydinnerrecipe #mainmeal #mainmealideas #crockpot #slowcooker #pork #porkroast #meatandpotatoes #mainmealrecipes #familydinner #supper #supperideas #5ingredientsorless #5ingredients
Imagine making a soup, spending hours over the sto Imagine making a soup, spending hours over the stove stirring a pot and waiting for flavors to develop…💭

Now forget that!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This healthy instant pot baked potato soup recipe only take about 30 minutes start to finish, and is SOOOOO good.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Clickable link in profile 👉🏻 https://sweetphi.com/best-healthy-instant-pot-baked-potato-soup-recipe/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#soups #soupandbread #soupseason #instantpotrecipes #pressurecookerrecipe #potato #potatorecipes #easyrecipe #soup #souprecipe #familymeals #pickyeaterapproved #instafood #instayum #dailyfoodpic #whatsfordinner #foodblogeats #sweetphiblog #instantpotrecipe #recipedeveloper #onepotmeal #onepotmeals #soupseason #freezermeals #freezercooking #makeahead #potatosoup
I forgot where I read it, but it was something abo I forgot where I read it, but it was something about 'normalizing normal/slightly ugly/normal kitchens' and that resonated with me. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When we moved into our house, my original thought was "I absolutely love the house, but maybe we'll redo the kitchen in 5 years to be all white" 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Why though? Because everyone else is doing that and it's 'cool'?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
After having lived in our house for 6+ months, now the most I have dreams of doing is maybe to redo the laminate countertops that are peeling in some places. Maybe. One day.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But this isn't some before/after post. It's just a post about saying your kitchen/home is fine the way it is, and if you don't have some pinterest board or desire to change your entire kitchen, that's a-ok.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE looking at beautiful kitchens and spaces, so I'll just continue adding pretty images to my weekly love-lists and leaving it there - for looking at pretty things vs. wishing to change my house or feeling bad about my kitchen.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Personally, I love my house. It feels homey and welcoming, and that's the vibe I'm going to keep going with.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Weekly love list on the blog, not kitchen related, but you can read it with a cup of coffee from whatever kitchen you’re in 👉🏻 https://sweetphi.com/love-list-29/

📷 @cassierosch 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#normalizenormal #kitchens #reallife #reallifeandstyle #home #momlife #workingmom #sweetphiblog #momblogger #allarewelcome #coffeebreak #oakkitchen #oakcabinets
Chicken and quinoa are a favorite combo of mine be Chicken and quinoa are a favorite combo of mine because I can get two servings of protein in one delicious meal; quinoa and chicken. And there’s Greek yogurt in this recipe so more protein!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This 5 ingredient healthy slow cooker buffalo chicken and quinoa is comforting, delicious and healthy all at the same time. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
PLUS, it’s great for meal prepping and is an easy crock pot recipe! So many wins in one recipe 🤩
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Clickable link in profile 👉🏻https://sweetphi.com/5-ingredient-healthy-slow-cooker-chicken-and-quinoa/
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#healthyrecipe #glutenfreerecipe #buffalochicken #sweetphiblog #5ingredients #5ingredientrecipe #easyrecipe #5ingredientmeal #easymealideas #recipes #fiveingredients #5ingredientmeal #buffalochicken #greekyogurt #mealprep #makeaheadmeals #healthy #healthyrecipes #glutenfree #easymeals #easyrecipe #foodblog #instafood #recipedeveloper #quinoa #mealprepideas #mealprep
  • Recipes
  • Baby
  • Cookbook
  • Five Ingredient Fridays
  • Travel

Copyright © 2021 · SWEET PHI