Coconut Cake & Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Hi! This is Mat, Jen's husband. This is the recipe from a photo that appeared on Jen's Instagram last night. 

Jen is fasting from coffee and chocolate for 21 days, so by the end of the day she's looking for something sweet to and I thought this would do the trick. It's pretty easy to make from scratch but if you're nervous about the cake part, you can always substitute a mix. Plus it's also no milk, low fat & half the sugar.


(photo via instagram)

Also, this is a recipe for a very small batch. We're only a couple and making big batches is so wasteful so I prefer to make only a few at a time. This should make about 5 cakes.

Coconut Cake
1/2 C granulated sugar
4 Tbs unsalted butter, room temperature
2 egg whites
1 tsp coconut or vanilla extract
3/4 C cake flour (use sifted all-purpose if not available)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 C coconut, rice or soy milk
3/4 C shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease the sides and bottom of six cups in a cupcake tin with butter.  Cream the butter and sugar. Once creamed, beat in the egg whites one at a time, then add the extract. Add the flour and baking powder and mix until creamy, then add the "milk" and coconut and finish mixing.

Evenly distribute between the cups until they are 2/3 full. Bake for 17-20 minutes. Be sure to cool completely before frosting.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream
2 egg whites
1/2 C granulated sugar
12 Tbs unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Cut the butter into 1 Tbsp chunks and leave out so it reaches room temperature. In a metal bowl, add the egg whites and sugar. Place the bowl into simmering water (leave on the heat) and whisk slowly until the mix is hot to the touch (about 140°F). Remove from heat, and using mixer with wire whisk, beat for 2 mins producing soft peaks. Change to a paddle mixer. Add 1/2 of the butter and beat for 1 minute, add the remaining butter and beat another minute. Add the vanilla and beat 1/2 minute more.

Once the cakes have cooled, you can frost them. The frosting doesn't have to be perfect - in fact just a nice spoonful on top of each cake served with some berries on the side works fine.


(photo via instagram)




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24 comments

  1. I'm always looking for new buttercream recipes! This sounds delicious! I love making meringues so this is right up my alley! Thank you for sharing!! =)

    Good luck Jen on your coffee fast!

    Ergo - Blog

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  2. I love coconut everything and can't wait to try this! Thanks to Mat for providing proportions for just a small batch--that's my biggest issue with trying new dessert recipes.

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    1. This is so ideal when you don't want to end up eating so much!.

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  3. Holy crap. I want that right now. Hahaha. Never made anything like it--I think I need to start!

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  4. Soooo excited about this cake! Jen had me drooling on instagram! Can't wait to try it this weekend :)

    xo
    Natalie
    dishesrunwaysandbriefcases.com

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  5. Are you crazy - no coffee!!! But Mat, you make it easy - gorgeous dessert!!!
    nectarandstone.blogspot.com
    Donna

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  6. These look super delicious AND a i have all the ingredients!

    xo Jessica
    www.mystylevita.com

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  7. I love this!! thanks for sharing.. and I like how you made a small portion too.. were just a couple and I always make too much!

    iambornlippy.blogspot.com

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  8. Oh wow...and I am trying to give up sugar! Hmmn.

    Ali of:

    www.dressingken.com

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  9. I saw this last night on Jen's Insta and from out of nowhere... I got a sweet tooth ;) Jen is one lucky lady!

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  10. I saw this last night on Jen's Insta and from out of nowhere... I got a sweet tooth ;) Jen is one lucky lady!

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  11. thanks for sharing this deliciousness, Mat! Love when you post...You are adorable!

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  12. Looks amazing! So glad you posted this, as I loved Jen's instagram pic. You need to start a cooking and baking school for husbands. Mine will be the first enrolled. :)

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  13. Glad you posted the recipe - saw this on instagram and thought it looked amazing.

    You need to start a cooking and baking school for husbands. Mine will be the first enrolled!

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  14. That looks SO good! Pinning this.
    xx Allie
    A Song to Pass the Time

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  15. It looks like dreamy clouds...light and fluffy!! YUM

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  16. congrats on that great goal! that isn't easy. I'm not such a huge fan of coconut but nevertheless this still looks fantastic. will be trying minus the coconut. thanks for the recipe! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com

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  17. OH Thank you for posting this!!!

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  18. OK, read the post and mixed these up right away. They're currently baking in my oven and making my apartment smell heavenly! Thanks for the quick and easy recipe.

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