Coconut Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

A luxurious coconut cake featuring fresh grated coconut and lime zest, topped with a creamy mascarpone frosting. This elegant dessert combines the tropical flavors of coconut with the rich, smooth texture of Italian mascarpone cheese.

12 servings
2 hr 25 min

Ingredients

  • cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1⅔ cups sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • cups fresh coconut
  • teaspoons lime peel
  • ¾ cup mascarpone cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2⅔ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup shaved coconut

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Line bottom of 9-inch diameter springform pan with parchment paper; butter paper and pan.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Whisk flour and baking powder in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, 3/4 cup butter, and vanilla in large bowl until blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Add flour mixture alternately with milk in 2 additions each, beating until just blended. Stir in 1 1/2 cups finely grated coconut and 1 1/4 teaspoons lime peel.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Transfer mixture to prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Cool cake in pan 20 minutes. Cut around sides to loosen; invert onto platter. Cool completely.

    100 min

  4. 4.

    Using electric mixer, beat 3 tablespoons butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons lime peel, mascarpone, and cloves in large bowl. Add powdered sugar; beat just until smooth.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Spread mascarpone frosting over top of cooled cake. Garnish top edge with 1/2 cup shaved coconut. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.

    15 min

  6. 6.

    *An Italian cream cheese; sold at many supermarkets and at Italian markets.

Recommended to use Recipe Notes to manage your recipes