No-Frosting Strawberry Coconut Cake

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There are one thousand lines on my to-do list. We left for Austin yesterday, and I’ll spend this week defending my thesis, enjoying my friends, and celebrating with family. But I still need to spend a few hours formatting my 130-page creative manuscript (I have long been known to procrastinate). And did I mention? Ryan and I bought our very first house on Friday, which means I’ll have rooms to unpack, organize, and decorate as soon as we get home. I left Colorado in a frenzy, and I still have at least three dozen more thank-you cards to write.

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But you know what? Baking this cake on Saturday, one day before our departure, was exactly what I needed. A simple task that occupied a few hours of my afternoon and left our kitchen smelling like toasted coconut and caramelized strawberries. If you have a spring party on the horizon, I’d highly suggest you consider this cake. Not only is it rich and moist, but you don’t have to bother with frosting (which not only requires more ingredients, but also more time). Quite frankly, this is one of my most favorite cakes…and for those of you who don’t know…I made wedding cakes in Austin for a living. So I’ve tried my share of recipes and flavors.

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And because I’m becoming more and more adept at procrastination, I also made another inspiration board. Little Lucy is due in June, just a few days shy of what’s called the Full Strawberry Moon. We don’t know exactly when she’ll make her appearance, but I take stock in the old wives tales about labor and the lunar cycle. Either way, I’m sure she’ll love strawberries as much as Ryan and I do.

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No Frosting Strawberry Coconut Cake

3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded coconut (divided)
3/4 cup coconut milk
1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped strawberries

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a nine-inch square pan with butter and line with parchment paper (lining is optional…but makes removing so much easier)

In a medium bowl, whip butter with sugar until light and fluffy, about seven minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Stir in vanilla.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 cup coconut. Fold dry ingredients into butter-sugar mixture, alternating with coconut milk. You should begin and end with flour mixture. Stir until just combined.

Spread batter into prepared pan and sprinkle with chopped strawberries and 1/2 cup of coconut. Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

 

46 thoughts on “No-Frosting Strawberry Coconut Cake

  1. Brian @ A Thought For Food

    I can’t believe all the things you have going on. So busy! But such wonderful life moments. And, you know what, making this cake was just as important than all the other things you have going on. Why? Because it makes you happy.

  2. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking

    I love that you kept this beautiful cake so simple with no frosting, Monet. It looks so flavorful it doesn’t need it! A strawberry cake is my absolute favorite this time of year. I hope you have a fun and relaxing visit to Austin despite all there is to get done. So excited to see you today and catch up! 🙂

  3. Jessie

    Good luck with your last revisions and thesis defense, Monet! You are going to ROCK! After the craziness coming up in the near future, I hope you’ll have a chance to relax a little and celebrate 🙂

    This cake is definitely on my to-make list, especially with strawberry season coming up! Yum!

  4. Eileen

    Now this is my kind of cake! Busting with fruit and coconut, and totally acceptable as breakfast. 🙂 Good luck with the last stages of your MFA–you can do it!

  5. a farmer in the dell

    I would have done anything to be in your kitchen smelling all the toasted coconut going on while you baked this. The kitchen is where I go whenever I feel overwhelmed and totally out of control. It’s amazing what a peaceful place it can be 🙂

  6. Hotly Spiced

    I love the look of this dessert. What a delicious looking cake and strawberries and coconut work so well together. Your inspiration image for the nursery is gorgeous xx

  7. Bonnie

    It will come together all in good time my dear! Try to enjoy each step and very best wishes in the defense of your thesis.

    Best,
    Bonnie

  8. kitchen flavours

    Hi Monet,
    Your coconut cake looks divine! I happen to love coconut cake, would love to give this a try! And with strawberries sounds even yummier!
    Good luck with your thesis!
    Take care!

  9. Betty

    You’re a busy girl! Good luck defending your thesis and settling in to your new home. The cake is absolutely lovely- June, Lucy and strawberries will be here before you know it! 🙂

  10. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family

    The best to you as you defend your thesis…maybe bring some of this cake to share.

    The cake is beautiful and looks to be just the perfect dessert for spring time (frosting is overrated anyway).

    Safe travels and look forward to hearing the outcome of your defense.

  11. Becky

    Monet,
    I had a total fail recently with strawberry banana bread, so I can’t wait to try this gorgeous strawberry coconut bread. Congrats on all of your recent accomplishments, Defending your thesis, buying your first home, and the best of all, a daughter you will name Lucy, soon to come!

  12. foodwanderings

    Aww congrats on the new house to welcome in your for certain strawberry loving baby girl. This recipe is perfect to celebrate the upcoming berry season and love “full strawberry moon” I feel like bursting out in dance! 🙂

  13. Liz

    Did you say coconut??? Your cake looks fantastic! And I’m certain Miss Lucy will love berries as much as her mama 🙂

  14. TheKitchenLioness

    Monet, the second I saw this wonderful recipe I knew that I will be baking this cake as soon as I can find sweet strawberries and I cannot wait – it looks like it would be a real winner at our house! Love the reipes that you post and the “comfy” feeling that they always gine me. I hope that you spent a wonderful Easter weekend with your family!
    P.S.: I have got a small favor to ask, would you mind sending me your address at andrea@thekitchenlioness.de – the girls bought a small present for Lucy and would like to mail it to you together with some drawings they made (if you do not mind).

  15. Joanne

    Baking is definitely my favorite way of de-stressing! This cake looks absolutely lovely! Good luck with your defense!!

  16. Genevieve

    Sounds like you have a lot of exciting things going on in your life right now, although I’m sure you’re also looking forward to things settling down…This cake sounds like the perfect treat to get you through the busy times! I love the strawberry and coconut combo!

  17. sippitysup

    Having a spring party on the horizon isn’t a requirement is it? Can I make it just so my kitchen smells like toasted coconut? GREG

  18. Cass @foodmyfriend

    Such a beautiful little collage Monet. I’m sure your little girl will love strawberries 🙂 What an awesome cake. There is nothing I love more than toasted coconut.

  19. Mary

    I made this today, Monet! I just love the crispy coconut crust on top with all the berries. Have a blessed night!

  20. Lora @cakeduchess

    I can tell picture your beautiful little Lucy. I love you chose that name. Congrats on the thesis and manuscript and the house…so much going on Monet. But I know you can handle it all perfectly. Send you hugs, my friend. xx

  21. john@kitchenriffs

    Good luck with your thesis defense! I’m sure you’ll do well. Maybe bring this cake for the committee? 😉 Really nice looking cake – looks totally delish. Thank you.

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  23. Jenny @ BAKE

    That’s such a cute inspiration board! I love those nursery colours! congratulations on getting a house! I know it’s been a while coming you must be over the moon that you’ve got one now! this cake sounds incredible too!

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  25. Ellie

    I am not usually much of a commenter but I noticed most of these comments are about how good this cakes looks and no reviews! I made this cake yesterday with a few changes (because I’m incapable of following rules!) and it was… well… gone almost immediately. I added the zest of 1 lemon to the batter and soaked the chopped strawberries in lemon juice and a touch of sugar before throwing them on top of the batter. This cake was light and fluffy and moist and flavorful and omg so good. We were literally eating with our hands out of the pan and had to give away half just to get it out of the house! Thanks for the recipe!

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