Moist pecan coconut cake (Printable Format)

A moist cake with cream cheese frosting, coconut and pecans that's perfect for any celebration without being overly sweet.

# What You'll Gather:

→ For the Cake

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
08 - 5 large eggs, separated
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 - 1 cup buttermilk
11 - 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
12 - 1 cup chopped pecans (skip if you're not a fan)

→ For the Cream Cheese Frosting

13 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
15 - 4 cups powdered sugar
16 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans for topping (totally optional)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab your 13×9-inch pan, line it with parchment paper, and give it a light spray or butter coat.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Just set this aside for now.
03 - In another bowl, beat your softened butter, oil, and both sugars until they're fluffy. Add in those egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each one. Pour in the vanilla too.
04 - Start adding your flour mixture to the butter mixture bit by bit, alternating with splashes of buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Don't overmix! Fold in the coconut and pecans (if using).
05 - In a clean bowl with clean beaters (important!), whip the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Gently fold these into your batter until everything's just combined.
06 - Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for about 30-35 minutes. You'll know it's done when a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely in the pan on a rack.
07 - Beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until everything's combined.
08 - Once the cake has completely cooled, spread that cream cheese frosting all over the top. If you're using pecans for topping, sprinkle them over the frosting now.

# Important Tips:

01 - This cake isn't overly sweet, making it perfect for those who prefer desserts with balanced flavor.
02 - The cake is super moist and pairs perfectly with the tangy cream cheese frosting.
03 - Great for family gatherings and special occasions!
04 - Tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make it ahead of time.

Back to Recipe