3/31/22

Coconut Texas Sheet Cake

A velvety tender Texas sheet cake recipe made with coconut milk for a super moist texture and tons of coconut flavor.

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Most people have a few recipes that are their favorites. Recipes they make time and time again because they come out perfect every time.

For me, one of those recipes is my chocolate sheet cake. I think it’s perfect. I often use the recipe as a base to make other flavor variations (like lemon, cinnamon and caramel which I have GOT to get pics of so I can share with you!).

Today I decided to make a coconut sheet cake! I had to put my brain on this one though because I knew I wanted to use coconut milk (not just add some coconut extract and call it a day). Because canned coconut milk is partially clear liquid and partially fat, I had to do some math with the recipe.

Coconut Texas Sheet Cake! A velvety tender sheet cake recipe made with coconut milk for a super moist texture and tons of coconut flavor.

Which made me a little nervous because I am not a baker by nature and baking isn’t something you can experiment with too much because of the science involved with making it work.

Ugh. Math and science. Neither of which was I ever especially talented with. I’m more of a language arts and history kinda gal. But I scribbled out a recipe, sent up a little prayer and went for it. And maybe I’m better at it than I thought because… this cake is fantastic!

It’s moist and rich but still tender and light and has a TON of coconut flavor from the coconut milk, coconut extract and, obviously, the shredded coconut!

Coconut Texas Sheet Cake! A velvety tender sheet cake recipe made with coconut milk for a super moist texture and tons of coconut flavor.

I’m always drawn to coconut desserts at Easter time. When I was a little girl we always had a big family dinner and Easter egg hunt at Nanny’s house. Nanny lived about a quarter mile from us down a two-rut road that cut through a wild field (that was farmed when my Pa was still alive).

Anyway, I personally kept those two ruts worn down over the years because I went to visit Nanny almost every single day of my childhood and the first thing I did every Easter Sunday was get my butt over there as quickly as I could!

It was those cool morning hours when she was putting the finishing touches on everything that I loved the most because everything looked so beautiful and fresh. Forty some-odd years later, any time I think of Springtime, it always reminds me of Easter morning at Nanny’s house.

Coconut Texas Sheet Cake! A velvety tender sheet cake recipe made with coconut milk for a super moist texture and tons of coconut flavor.

Baskets of dyed Easter eggs were set out to be hidden by my aunts and uncles when we weren’t looking. The clear plastic gumdrop tree was studded with dozens of sugarcoated gems. The small kitchen table was topped with layered cakes and pies. Tulips and daffodils were everywhere

Once everything was picture-perfect ready and the food was in the oven, she and I would take up our usual spots on her giant back porch with cups of Sanka and play a few hands of rummy while we waited for everyone to arrive – cousins!! in pastel dresses!! with Easter baskets!! gahhhhh!!

On that table of desserts was always the big fluffy white coconut cake Nanny only made for Easter. Mama would make cupcakes with “easter eggs” (jelly beans) in “grass” (shredded coconut dyed green) and someone (maybe Aunt June??) always brought coconut pies.

For whatever reason, my family brings out the coconut at easter. Does yours?? I wonder if it’s a thing??

Since it’s springtime now and Easter is just a couple weeks away, this latest sheet cake variation had to be coconut! 

Coconut Texas Sheet Cake! A velvety tender sheet cake recipe made with coconut milk for a super moist texture and tons of coconut flavor.

MAKING COCONUT TEXAS SHEET CAKE

  • You must use canned coconut milk, NOT cream of coconut or refrigerated coconut milk. The fat content should be between 9-12 grams per 1/4 cup. 
  • You can also prepare this in 18x13 half-sheet cake pan. If you do, reduce the baking time to 15-17 minutes then test with a toothpick for doneness.
  • A 10x15 pan is a traditional jellyroll pan. If your pan is very shallow, you may not be able to fit all of the icing on your cake – just include as much as will fit or let the icing cool a bit before adding to the cake so that it pours thicker.
  • This cake cannot be made in a 13x9 pan (the batter is too thin).

Recipe for Coconut Texas Sheet Cake

Coconut Texas Sheet Cake! A velvety tender sheet cake recipe made with coconut milk for a super moist texture and tons of coconut flavor.

If you LOVE Texas sheet cakes, be sure to check out my other recipes too!

YELLOW TEXAS SHEET CAKE The very best sheet cake recipe with that signature “yellow cake flavor” topped with white icing - perfect for birthday cake!

CHOCOLATE TEXAS SHEET CAKE A tried-and-true family recipe for velvety tender, perfectly chocolate Texas sheet cake.

Coconut Texas Sheet Cake

Coconut Texas Sheet Cake
Yield: 12-20
Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 40 Min
A velvety tender Texas sheet cake recipe made with coconut milk for a super moist texture and tons of coconut flavor.

Ingredients

Coconut Cake:
  • 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk (see notes!)
  • 1/2 cup butter (real, salted)
  • 1/2 cup half & half or whole milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 teaspoons coconut extract
Coconut Icing:
  • 1/2 cup butter (real, salted)
  • 1/2 cup half & half or whole milk
  • Dash of salt
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1 1-lb box powdered sugar
  • 3 cups sweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

For the Cake:
  1. Grease a 10x15 baking pan (or spray with cooking spray) and preheat oven to 350 degrees. See notes below regarding other pan sizes.
  2. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to incorporate ingredients then set aside.
  3. Combine coconut milk (liquid and solids) and butter in a small saucepan then heat and stir over medium-high heat until boiling. Remove from heat.
  4. Combine half & half, eggs and coconut extract in a small bowl then mix well and set aside.
  5. Pour coconut milk mixture into bowl with flour mixture then stir to incorporate. Add egg mixture then whisk all ingredients together for one minute.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan then bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven then prepare icing.
For the Icing:
  1. Sprinkle coconut over warm cake.
  2. Combine butter, half & half and salt in a small saucepan then heat until simmering.
  3. Meanwhile, sift powdered sugar into a mixing bowl (the sifting is optional but it prevents lumps). Pour hot mixture into bowl with powdered sugar. Add coconut extract then stir until smooth.
  4. Working in a wide drizzle, slowly pour warm icing all over coconut and cake. Allow cake to rest 30 minutes before serving.
  5. Once the cake is cool, cover then store at room temperature.

Notes

  • You must use canned coconut milk, NOT cream of coconut or refrigerated coconut milk. The fat content should be between 9-12 grams per 1/4 cup. 
  • You can also prepare this in 18x13 half-sheet cake pan. If you do, reduce the baking time to 15-17 minutes then test with a toothpick for doneness.
  • A 10x15 pan is a traditional jellyroll pan. If your pan is very shallow, you may not be able to fit all of the icing on your cake – just include as much as will fit or let the icing cool a bit before adding to the cake so that it pours thicker.
  • This cake cannot be made in a 13x9 pan (the batter is too thin).
  • Recipe updated 7/25/22 to change order of coconut and icing on the baked cake (original had the coconut sprinkled over the icing but it's WAAAAAY better this way!!). Updated pics coming soon!
  • I received several comments about this recipe stating that the cake batter didn't bake right. To be 100% certain, I made the cake again (this is when I switched the icing around) and the cake was exactly the way it should be and tasted amazing. My guess is that folks are not using CANNED COCONUT MILK or are baking the cake in a 13x9 pan so I have updated the notes to include BOLD TYPE so no one overlooks these important details.
texas, sheet, cake, white, coconut, best, how to, moist, coconut milk, cream of coconut, extract, recipe, easter dessert
dessert
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31 comments:

  1. I am a sucker for a good sheet cake and this looks so tender and delicious. Perfect for Easter too!

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  2. Me too....I love a sheet cake. They are so easy to make and will feed a crowd too. I love coconut cake especially, I can't wait to make this for Easter. It will be perfect.
    Thank you for The recipe, I love all your dishes, we are now hooked on The French Onion Soup Casserole. OMG Thank you for that one too....

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  3. Mandy - I loved loved your story and it made me remember my childhood and all the great stuff that went along with that. My mother was a huge coconut fan and made the best coconut cream pie with fabulous stacked merangue (sp). The best - along with ham, baked pineapple and baked broccoli. Not much of a baker, but I am GOING to try and do this because I can even smell it from here. THANKS for all of your writing and recipes. Penny srmarymaid@oal.com

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  4. Just checking because I do want to make this this Easter, but I always have either the bagged powdered sugar or it's loose in the cannister because this is Florida and humidity is the enemy of us all!

    I'm coming up with approximate 5 1/3 cup of powdered sugar for the frosting. Does this sound about right or should I just eyeball it?

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    Replies
    1. I'd start with 4 cups then go from there. Every time I try to measure a pound I get anywhere from 3.5-5 cups (because... humidity here too!!) so I always stick with the 1 lb box when writing recipes. You want it just thin enough to pour over the cake but not runny.

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    2. Ah, that works! I do tend to be eyeball things when in doubt, so I'll start with the four cups and go from there. Thanks, Mandy!

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    3. Well... It was an epic fail for us. Not the frosting, but the cake itself. Which completely surprised me because my daughter is totally rigid about following recipes, much unlike her hippy era momma. For some reason, the cake base ended up more like a rather dense pudding? Oddly enough, not sweet at all. Just...blah.

      Obviously it all ended up tossed. I am completely baffled what went wrong?

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    4. That's so strange! Two things come to mind... what size pan did you use? Anything smaller than 10x15 isn't going to work (batter is too thin for a thick cake). Or maybe there's too much variance in canned coconut milk (solids vs liquids)?? I'll make it again with a different brand coconut milk and see if I have any issues. I hate that happened to you! I know you were excited!

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  5. This recipe sounds delish! Iplan on making it tomoro. Do you think it would work in a bundt cake pan instead of a sheet pan? Please share your opinion and any tips if needed! I follow you and have made many of your recipes! Happy Easter!

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    Replies
    1. I don't think this type of batter will work in a bundt pan. Sorry! Happy Easter to you too!

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  6. Anyone know if this will work with gluten free flour?

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  7. Could this be prepared in a 9x13 pan? I don't have a jellyroll pan but I have all the ingredients. Thanks!! I do love coconut!

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    Replies
    1. The cake won't cook right if the batter is that deep. You could use a 13x9 AND an 8x8 pan or just don't use all the batter. Good luck!

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  8. Is this coconut cake okay to leave out for 48 hours or does it need to be refrigerated? *I made it (a day early) to donate for an indoor church function.

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    Replies
    1. It's fine to leave out but will likely taste fresher if you refrigerate it!

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  9. Cannot find updated coconut frosting recipe. Can’t wait to try this,

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    Replies
    1. The instructions are updated (just not the pics). Enjoy!

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  10. I just made for my sweethearts birthday, thank you!

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  11. Made it using original Texas sheet cake recipe, adding about 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract to the batter. Then frosted the chocolate cake with this coconut topping, as directed. It was delicious, like a sheet cake mounds candy bar. My granddaughter declared it’s her favorite cake and requested it for her 6th birthday.

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  12. I just made this using cassava flour as a substitute same 2-1/3 cups I used Cha’s organic coconut milk from Costco 10% fat content and this cake turned out beautifully as well as GF:) thank you!! Bake on a 11x16 cookie sheet!

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  13. Made this cake tonight and it was da bomb ditty!!! So moist and absolutely delish. Entire family loved. The only thing I done different was I toasted my coconut first. Other than this it was exactly as written.

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  14. Has anyone tried using two cake pans to make a layer cake? I’m thinking the recipe amounts would work for this. I’ll use a cream cheese frosting,

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  15. leslie moore3/17/23, 6:05 AM

    Made this last night. It is so moist and delicious. Very sweet. I actually used whole milk instead of half and half and it still was off the charts.

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  16. this cake is fantastic! i made it for a big family dinner and my family went nuts for it. thank you so much for this recipe! will be printing and putting in my "best of" recipes file and will definitely make again and again.

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  17. I made this last night according to directions for a potluck and it was super yum! Thank you!!! Will make again for a crowd!

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  18. This recipe is absolutely spot on!!! Absolutely delicious!! All of the detailed directions were very helpful!!

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  19. Just made this today and it was delicious. Will make again soon.

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  20. This brilliant cake is a big solution for me. I’ve always loved Texas sheet cake because I can literally frost it while it’s hot. I once frosted a Texas sheet cake in the back of my car on the way to an event. Anyway, my husband requests Coconut cake for his birthday and we’re always going to a tailgate party to celebrate his birthday. I did question the science of this recipe. Baking soda needs an acid to react. I checked the acidity of coconut and the milk seems to be alkaline. So, I used buttermilk instead of regular milk, and an eighth of a teaspoon of cream of tartar. Cake is the score. Thank you very much for the next 10 years of birthdays!

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  21. Good gracious this is delicious!! The cake is moist and so full of coconut flavor! The only thing I did differently was I put a layer of coconut under the frosting as well as on top. Exquisite! I also made a couple small changes for altitude (I live at 10K feet). Wonderful! I will be making this again!

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  22. This cake is amazing. I forgot to melt the butter with the coconut milk and it still turned out ok. I used light coconut milk because I do not have a gallbladder, not trying to push thingns. The only thing I wish is that we could make it a little less sweet, less sugar. Since I am not a huge baker (yet) I do not know how to lessen the sugar. Overall, a great cake. I gifted my neighbor three pieces for her and a friend. Hopefully they like it. Thanks.

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  23. The max my oven can take is a 9X13… should I just do the math to make the batter serving smaller? Or split it into even smaller and make two small ones?

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Hi there! While I’m not able to respond to every comment, I try hard to answer any questions that haven’t been addressed in the post, recipe or in other comments.

I can tell you now 1) I have no idea if you can substitute Minute Rice or brown rice in my recipes because I’ve never used them and 2) If I know how to convert a recipe to a Crock Pot version, I will make a note about it (otherwise, I don’t know).

And though I may not respond to them all, I do read each and every comment and I LOVE to hear from you guys! Thanks, y’all! - Mandy