If you're a fan of coconut and you're looking for a variety of ways to bake with it, this is the post for you! In this post I'm going to share some of my all-time favorite desserts that call for coconut.
What is Coconut?
Coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm. It's a versatile tropical fruit that grows in warm climates. The coconut palm is highly valued for its many uses. The fruit itself is large, oval-shaped, and covered with a tough, fibrous outer husk. Inside, there is a hard shell encasing a layer of edible white flesh, known as coconut meat, and a refreshing liquid called coconut water.
Coconuts can be used in so many different ways! Coconut water is a popular beverage that is enjoyed fresh or processed into other products like coconut water drinks or used in smoothies and cocktails. The coconut meat can be eaten raw, dried, or processed into coconut milk, coconut cream, shredded coconut, or coconut oil, which is widely used in cooking, cosmetics, and skincare products.
This particular recipe calls for coconut flakes (shredded coconut).
How to Bake with Coconut
Baking with coconut can add a delightful tropical flavor and texture to your recipes. Here are some common ways to incorporate coconut into your baking:
- Shredded Coconut: Shredded coconut adds texture and flavor to baked goods. You can fold it into cookie dough, muffin batter, cake batter, or sprinkle it on top of bars or brownies before baking. Toasting shredded coconut before adding it to your recipes can enhance its flavor.
- Coconut Flour: Coconut flour is a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour and adds a subtle coconut flavor to baked goods. However, it absorbs a lot of moisture, so recipes using coconut flour often require more liquid ingredients. You can use it in cakes, cookies, muffins, and pancakes, but be sure to follow recipes specifically designed for coconut flour or adjust the liquid content accordingly.
- Coconut Milk: Coconut milk adds richness and moisture to baked goods. It can be used as a substitute for dairy milk in recipes like cakes, cupcakes, and bread. Be sure to shake the coconut milk can well before opening, as the thick coconut cream tends to separate from the liquid.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a popular alternative to butter or vegetable oil in baking. It adds a subtle coconut flavor and helps create a moist texture in cakes, cookies, and quick bread. Substitute coconut oil for butter or vegetable oil in a 1:1 ratio, but keep in mind that coconut oil solidifies at cooler temperatures, so you may need to melt it before using it in your recipes.
- Coconut Extract: Coconut extract is a concentrated flavoring that can enhance the coconut flavor in your baked goods. Add a teaspoon or two to your batter or dough to intensify the coconut taste.
- Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener made from the sap of coconut palm trees. It has a caramel-like flavor and can be used as a substitute for white or brown sugar in baking. Keep in mind that coconut sugar has a slightly lower sweetness level than regular sugar, so you may need to adjust the amount used in your recipes.
When baking with coconut ingredients, it's essential to consider the moisture content and flavor intensity to ensure that your final product turns out delicious. Experiment with different coconut products and recipes to find the perfect balance for your taste preferences.
Let's Check out these Fun Coconut Recipes!
It's time to see all of the many coconut-themed treats available from Out of the Box Baking. Are you ready? I know I am!
Favorite Coconut Desserts
Enjoy this master list of coconut-themed desserts from Out of the Box Baking.
Pina Colada Pie
In this post I’m going to share a recipe for a delicious Pina Colada Pie. If you love tropical flavors you’re going to adore this one!
Traditional Coconut Cake (with Cream of Coconut Frosting)
Coconut cake is a popular offering in the south, but there’s no reason why we need to limit it geographically! This luscious cake is perfect for families across the globe and great for Christmas, Easter, and every day in-between!
Lemon Coconut Loaf with Pecans
This lush lemon loaf is delicious any time of day! You’re going to love this simple but amazing recipe.
Simple Almond Joy Crescent Rolls
If you’re looking for the world’s simplest sweet treat, you’ve come to the right place. These delicious Almond Joy Crescent Rolls are easy to make and over-the-top delicious!
Easy Almond Joy Cookies
If you love the combination of chocolate, coconut, and almond, you’re going to flip over these easy-breezy cookies! They’re as simple as a chocolate chip cookie but with the added bonus of the Almond Joy flavors!
Simple Coconut Pecan Pound Cake
If you’re a fan of pound cake, rich with coconut and pecans, but you don’t have the time to bake one from scratch, you’ve come to the right place. This bundt cake recipe will blow you away and it starts with a box of white cake mix.
Easy Coconut Cream Pie
In this post I’m going to show you how to make my very favorite pie of all time: Coconut Cream Pie. It’s lush, rich, sweet, and loaded with coconutty goodness! Perfect for special occasions or any day of the week!
Best Italian Cream Cake (doctored cake mix)
Whether you’re needing a birthday cake, a wedding cake, or an anniversary cake, we’ve got just the recipe for you! Italian cream cake is one of the most popular cake flavors around. . .for a reason!
German Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
If you love German Chocolate cake but want it in cookie form, do I have a treat for you! You’ll love these sweeter-than-coconut sandwich cookies, stuffed with coconut pecan frosting! They can be baked up in minutes. Best of all, they start with a simple box of cake mix!
Easy Chocolate Coconut Balls
If you’re a fan of those yummy Mounds bars you find in the supermarket, you’re going to flip over this simple recipe. These easy Chocolate Coconut Balls as just as good and simple to make!
Simple Hummingbird Cookie Bars (Doctored Muffin Mix)
Everyone in the south knows what hummingbird cake is, but not everyone has the time or energy to bake one. With this easy recipe you’ll get all of those flavors without all of that work!
Simple German Chocolate Bars (Doctored Cake Mix)
If you love a delicious German chocolate cake with coconut pecan frosting, have I got a treat for you! These bars come together quickly, taste amazing, and best of all. . .they start with a box of cake mix!
Easy Coconut Pecan Bars (Doctored Cake Mix)
If you love Italian Cream cake but you’re looking for something with more of a bar or cookie texture you’ve definitely come to the right place! This is one of my simplest (but tastiest) recipes yet. And it starts with canned frosting and a box of white cake mix!
German Chocolate Pound Cake (with canned frosting inside)
If you love a terrific German Chocolate cake but the idea of making one from scratch sounds overwhelming, do I have the perfect recipe for you!
Easy Seven Layer Bars
If you love luscious gooey bars, filled with the crunch of coconut and the sweetness of chocolate and condensed milk, you’ve come to the right place! This is the traditional recipe and incredibly easy to make.
Easy Almond Joy Truffles
If you love the crunch of almonds and coconut but the richness of a chocolate truffle, have I got a treat for you! In this post I’m going to show you how to make easy homemade Almond Joy Truffles, loaded with flavor and texture.
Easy Hawaiian Pound Cake (with Canned Frosting in the Mix)
If you love bright tropical flavors and you’re a fan of pound cake, you’re going to love this recipe! This cake starts with a box of pineapple cake mix but it’s packed full of fruit, fruit, and more fruit!
Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cake (with Coconut Pecan Topping)
If you’re looking for a healthy version of a delicious oat cake, one filled with flavor and texture, this is the recipe for you! In this post I’m going to show you how to make an over-the-top oatmeal cake. Best of all, it’s gluten-free!
Earthquake Cake (German Chocolate Upside Down Cake)
If German Chocolate Cake is your thing but you don’t have time to make the coconut pecan frosting from scratch, this is the recipe for you! This luscious Earthquake Cake oozes with flavor. It’s loaded with coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips, and it bubbles over with an extra-special addition: cream cheese filling!
Easy Pineapple Coconut Cake (with Lime)
If you’re in the mood for a summery cake filled with tropical flavors, you’ve come to the right place. This delicious Pineapple Coconut Cake with Lime will make you feel like you’re on a Caribbean beach, ocean waves crashing in the background.
German Chocolate Bars from Scratch (original recipe)
If you love German Chocolate cake but want the ease of a tender, flaky cookie bar, this is the recipe for you! The cookie crust has a light chocolate flavor and the rich gooey filling is loaded with coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips.
Traditional German Chocolate Cake with Coconut Pecan Frosting
If you love the sweet flavor of German Chocolate cake and you’re nuts about coconut pecan frosting, you’ve definitely come to the right place! In this post I’m going to give you my tips and tricks for one of the most classic cakes of all time–German Chocolate! And best of all. . .it starts with a boxed mix!
Lemon Coconut Bread Pudding
If you’re looking for a warm, comforting bread pudding with a tropical twist, this is the recipe for you! In this post I’m going to show you how I make my dreamy Lemon-Coconut Bread Pudding!
That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe.
If you make this recipe and love it, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you're at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!
Barb
Tuesday 16th of April 2024
Love your enthusiasm