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Chocolate cake with coconut cream filling, marshmallow buttercream frosting and toasted coconut is the perfect cake recipe for birthdays, holidays, parties and more! This 3-layer cake is packed with flavor and irresistible!
I think I’ve probably made two dozen cakes since the beginning of this year. I’ve officially been designated as the go-to cake baker by some people so my calendar is always full of special requests. With plenty of requests for cakes, I have a lot of time to test recipes and hear feedback from everyone. Out of all of the cakes I recently made, this chocolate cake with coconut cream and marshmallow buttercream frosting received raved reviews. It is also my absolute favorite cake that I have ever made. Since I made this cake for the first time, I’ve had four different requests to make it again. In fact, I already have two orders of this cake for a birthday and Easter.
Chocolate cake with coconut cream filling, marshmallow buttercream frosting and toasted coconut combines some of my favorite flavors into one impressive cake. This is the cake you need to make for Easter, birthdays, bridal showers and everything in between. It is a 3 layer cake packed with flavor.
Some cakes are complicated and require multiple steps with detailed instructions. For a homemade cake, this one is pretty simple. With three layers, it is full of chocolate, coconut and marshmallow flavor. I use one of my favorite recipes for the cake layer. The filling is a thick creamy consistency. It complements the chocolate cake and whipped buttercream frosting perfectly.
I highly recommend investing in a rotating cake stand. I’ve been using an Ateco one for the past year or so and it makes decorating cakes so much easier. I also purchased some plastic disposable cake trays. They are recyclable and I actually reuse them often. They are perfect for transporting cakes or giving away to friends and family too. I find that they are more sturdy than a cardboard cake box and because they are reusable I don’t have to buy as many.
Chocolate Cake with Coconut Cream and Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for dusting the pans
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso or coffee powder*
- 1½ cups boiling water
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups 3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2½ cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 5.4 ounce can coconut cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 cup shredded coconut
For the frosting:
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 7 ounce jar Marshmallow fluff
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded coconut, lightly toasted
Instructions
To make the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut out 3 8-inch round pieces of parchment paper and place them in the bottom of 3 8-inch round cake pans. Butter the sides of the pans and dust with cocoa powder, shaking out the excess.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cocoa powder, espresso powder, and boiling water. Whisk until smooth; set aside to cool for 2 minutes. When cooled down, whisk in the sour cream and vanilla; set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually blend in the sugar and whip on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes more. Blend in the eggs one at a time. In another medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; whisk to blend.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the sour cream mixture, beating each addition just until incorporated. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake the cake layers for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, rotating the pans halfway through to ensure even baking. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pans at least 30 minutes before inverting onto the rack to cool completely.
To make the filling:
- Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the thick layer of coconut cream from the can. (You will not need any of the coconut water that has settled to the bottom of the can.) Add the cream to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar and mix well on high speed until combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly fold in the shredded coconut.
To make the buttercream frosting:
- Add butter to the clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add marshmallow fluff, heavy cream and salt; beat for an additional minute.
To assemble the cake:
- Place one of the cake layers on a cake board or serving platter. Spread half of the coconut cream filling over the top of the cake. Top with a second layer and the remaining filling. Place the final cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the frosting. Coat the frosting with the toasted coconut flakes. Refrigerate the cake until just before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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OMG i love this cake!! i have made it so many times i have even made cupcake versions and they are so good! Also i made this cake for my mums birthday but i changed it up a little, i added raspberry’s into the cake and when i had applied the dark chocolate butter cream on top i put raspberry’s and blueberry’s all over the top and then sprinkled some coconut over it as well. It tasted so good!!!
This recipe seems amazing and I’ve tried it TWICE except each time I start adding the dry ingredients and sour cream mixture my batter breaks. It’s very frustrating.
Hi, Sarah! I am sorry to hear, that is really frustrating. Let me help troubleshoot. Are you using ingredients at room temperature, regular sour cream (as opposed to light) and are you alternating between flour and wet ingredients on low speed as specified in the instructions? The batter should smooth out once everything is added.
In my country, marshmallow fluff is imopssible to find. Is there anything I could replace it with? I would love to bake this cake for my boyfriend’s birthday.
Hi, Georgie! Here is a recipe for homemade marshmallow creme that is a substitute for marshmallow fluff. I hope you enjoy!
https://www.browneyedbaker.com/homemade-marshmallow-creme-recipe/
This does sound amazing! No wonder you have so many requests for it!
Oh wow, this is stunning!! I really need to experiment with coconut more, I’ve had it a handful of times, but this looks incredible – I need to try it with a fudgy chocolate cake!
Ashley, so many pretty cakes today!!! I LOVE this!!! perfect for Easter and birthdays, just like you said. . I love the Coconut Cream and Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting!!!! yummmmmm!!
Oh my! I can see why this one got rave reviews! I how do you find time to make people cakes you crazy lady?!
That is a stellar cake Ashley! It combines 2 of my favorite loves.
Pinned.
Have a great day!
Ashley, this cake is SUCH a thing of beauty! I am drooling over here, girl! I’ve been meaning to whip up a cake here, and this has definitely inspired me! I need to check out that cake stand, too!
I have a serious girl crush on you now! This cake looks SO good – I am swooning… 😉