Coconut Cherry Cake

 

Coconut Cherry Cake: A Tropical Delight

Coconut cherry cake is a delightful and visually appealing dessert that combines the sweet and tangy flavors of cherries with the tropical richness of coconut. This cake is perfect for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to festive celebrations. With its moist texture and vibrant flavor, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone. In this article, we will guide you through a simple and delicious recipe to create this stunning cake.

Ingredients

To prepare this delicious coconut cherry cake, you will need the following ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup of maraschino cherries, halved

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons of maraschino cherry juice
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

For the Topping:

• 1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Prepare the Cake Batter:

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
5. Fold in the halved maraschino cherries.

Bake the Cake:

1. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
3. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Prepare the Glaze:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maraschino cherry juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Glaze and Top the Cake:

1. Once the cake is completely cool, pour the glaze over the top, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
2. Sprinkle the sweetened shredded coconut over the glazed cake, pressing lightly to adhere.

Serve and Enjoy:

Cut the cake into squares and serve. Enjoy this tropical delight with a cup of tea or coffee.

Tips and Variations

• Fresh Cherries: Substitute maraschino cherries with fresh cherries for a different flavor profile.
• Coconut Milk: For an extra coconutty flavor, replace regular milk with coconut milk.
• Lemon Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter for a zesty twist.

Conclusion

Coconut cherry cake is a delightful dessert that brings together the sweet and tangy flavors of cherries with the tropical taste of coconut. Its moist texture and vibrant appearance make it a perfect addition to any dessert table. Easy to make and delicious to eat, this cake is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.