The Cake Mix Doctor's Easy Refrigerator Coconut Cake

Submitted by Marie Nixon

"I pulled this recipe off of www.confessionsofacookbookqueen.com. She credits the recipe to The Cake Mix Doctor Returns cookbook. I like the very detailed instructions. One instruction I wish she had included was to open the can of cream of coconut and stir it vigorously to mix the syrup from the cream. I just shook the can and then poured out the cream of coconut from a small opening. I didn't realize until it was too late that the only thing I got out of the can was the sugar syrup. Not only can and should this cake be prepared days ahead of when you plan to serve it but the frosting and the cake can be made on a separate days, also."

 

• Ready In: 48mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Yields: 1 cake
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 18 1⁄4 ounces white cake mix, Duncan Hines is preferred
• 1 cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup cream of coconut, plus more cream of coconut for brushing on the baked layers
• 3 large eggs

• For the frosting

• 2 cups sour cream
• 1 3⁄4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping
• 3 1⁄2 - 4 cups sweetened flaked coconut

directions

1. .Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350. Lightly mist three 9 inch round cake pans with vegetable oil spray, then dust them with flour. Shake out the excess flour and set the pans aside.
2. Stir the cream of coconut to make sure that is mixed together.
3. Place the cake mix, milk, 1/2 cup cream of coconut, and eggs in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 1 1/2 minutes longer, scraping down the sides of the bowl again if needed. The batter should look well blended.
4. Divide the cake batter evenly among the 3 prepared pans, about 1 1/2 cups batter per pan, smoothing the tops with a rubber spatula. Place the pans in the oven. If your oven is not large enough to hold 3 pans on the center rack, place two pans on that rack and one in the center of the rack above.
5. Bake the cake until layers are light brown and the tops spring back with lightly pressed with a finger, 18 to 23 minutes. The cake layer on the higher rack may bake faster, so test it for doneness first.
6. While the cakes bake, make the frosting. Place the sour cream and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 1/2 minutes. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until the sugar has dissolved, 2 minutes longer.
7. Add the whipped topping and beat on low speed until well blended. Stir in 3 cups of coconut and beat on low speed until mixed. Place the frosting in the refrigerator to chill for at least 10 minutes.
8. Transfer the cake pans to wire racks and let the cake layers cool for 5 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of each cake layer and give the pans a good shake to loosen the cakes. Invert each layer onto a wire rack, and then invert again so they are right side up.
9. While the cakes cool, use a small brush to gently brush the tops of the cake with the remaining cream of coconut. Let the cakes cool completely, 15 minutes longer. When the cakes are cool, use a large serrated knife to cut each cake in half horizontally to make 6 layers.
10. To assemble the cake, transfer one layer, cut side up, to a serving platter. Spread the top with a heaping 2/3 cup frosting. Place another layer, cut side up, on top of the first layer and frost with 2/3 cup frosting. Repeat this process with the remaining layers and frost the top and sides of cake. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup coconut on top of the cake for garnish.
11. This cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Reviews

[mugs.beluga0e]

I make this every Christmas. Everyone goes nuts over it. I only use two pans and then cut them in half and frost. It is better after sitting for a few days. Which makes it perfect for entertaining.

 

[Beeswings]

Let me just say: Great. Big. Mess. Not happy. I had my tummy all set on a sweet, light, fluffy, slice of tropical cloud. Huge disappointment! I almost cried. If you insist on making this atrocity, please, reduce the sour cream to one cup (instead of two).