Easy Sour Cream Coconut Cake Recipe: Fluffy Paradise in Every Bite

Every baker secretly craves a coconut sour cream cake that whispers comfort and indulgence.

Soft, pillowy layers promise a delightful escape from ordinary desserts.

Moist crumbs meld with rich, creamy textures that dance across your palate.

Incredibly simple ingredients come together in a magical baking symphony.

Hints of tropical sweetness peek through each tender bite, inviting memories of sunny afternoons.

This recipe transforms basic pantry staples into a heavenly treat that feels both nostalgic and luxurious.

When you slice into this dreamy creation, pure bliss awaits your first forkful.

Highlights of This Sour Cream Coconut Cake

• Effortless baking for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complicated steps.
• Uses simple pantry staples like cake mix and sour cream, eliminating complex shopping trips and reducing preparation stress.
• Perfect for casual family gatherings, potlucks, and weekend celebrations where everyone craves a sweet, coconut-infused dessert.
• Takes just 15-20 minutes of active preparation, letting home bakers whip up a stunning cake without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients That Make This Coconut Cake Moist

• Cake Mix: A convenient base for quick and easy cake preparation, providing consistent texture and flavor.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates a rich, tender crumb with tangy undertones.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a moist and soft cake texture, replacing traditional butter.

• Coconut Milk: Enhances the coconut flavor and provides additional moisture to the cake.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure and richness.

• Coconut Extract: Intensifies the coconut flavor, giving the cake a more pronounced tropical taste.

How to Bake the Perfect Coconut Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Vessels

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper. This ensures your cake will easily release from the pan and look perfectly shaped.

Step 2: Create Cake Batter

• Cake mix
• Sour cream
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Coconut milk
• Coconut extract

Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, blend on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Mix until the batter becomes smooth and all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated, with no lumps visible.

Step 3: Fill Cake Pans

Evenly distribute the batter between the two prepared cake pans. Use a spatula to spread the mixture, ensuring it reaches all edges and creates a level surface.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Place pans in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center- it should come out clean with no wet batter.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Remove cakes from oven and let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can frost or decorate as desired.

Tips for a Tender Coconut Cake

• Choose Quality Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality sour cream and coconut milk for the richest flavor and most tender cake texture.
• Measure Precisely: Level off dry ingredients with a straight edge to ensure accurate measurements and consistent cake results.
• Mix Thoroughly: Beat the batter for the full 2-3 minutes to incorporate air and create a smooth, well-blended consistency that guarantees a lighter cake.
• Control Moisture: If the batter seems too thick, add a tablespoon of coconut milk to achieve the perfect dropping consistency without over-thinning.
• Prevent Sticking: Use parchment paper rounds or generously grease and flour the pans to ensure the cake releases easily without breaking.

The Best Way to Store Coconut Cake

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Coconut cake can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its delicious flavor and texture.
• Remove frozen cake from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving. Alternatively, place in the refrigerator overnight for a slow, gentle thaw.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. For best results, avoid overheating to prevent the cake from becoming tough or rubbery.

Drinks and Toppings to Serve Alongside

• Serve a chilled piña colada or passion fruit mojito alongside the cake to enhance its coconut flavors and create a refreshing tropical experience.
• Top the cake with a light cream cheese frosting sprinkled with toasted coconut flakes, which will amplify the cake's rich and smooth texture.
• Decorate the cake plate with fresh mango slices or passion fruit coulis to add a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet coconut profile.
• Select a sweet Riesling or Moscato wine that echoes the cake's creamy sweetness and provides a sophisticated drinking companion.

Delicious Ways to Customize Coconut Cake

• Gluten-Free Coconut Cake: Swap regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace sour cream with dairy-free yogurt alternative and use coconut cream instead of coconut milk. Substitute vegetable oil with coconut oil for enhanced flavor.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar-free cake mix and replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Add extra coconut extract to maintain rich taste while reducing overall sugar content.
• Vegan Coconut Cake: Use a vegan cake mix, replace eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, and choose plant-based milk alternatives like almond or oat milk for a completely plant-based version.

Easy Sour Cream Coconut Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful sour cream coconut cake delivers a tropical paradise of flavor with each perfectly moist bite. Creamy, coconut-infused layers promise a sweet escape that transports you to sunny island memories.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) white cake mix
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) coconut milk (or regular milk)
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream
• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (40 grams) shredded sweetened coconut (plus extra for garnish)
• 8 ounces (227 grams) whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by warming it to 350F (175C) and prepare cake pans by coating with grease and flour, or lining with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Pour cake mix into a spacious mixing bowl and incorporate sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs, coconut milk, and coconut extract.
3. Use an electric mixer to blend ingredients thoroughly, operating at medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture transforms into a uniform, silky batter with no visible lumps.
4. Carefully distribute the cake batter evenly between the prepared pans, ensuring smooth surface and equal volume in each pan.
5. Position pans in the preheated oven, placing them on the center rack to guarantee consistent heat distribution.
6. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, monitoring the cakes closely and testing for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean without any wet batter.
7. Once baked, remove pans from the oven and allow cakes to cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to remove or frost, preventing potential crumbling or structural damage.

Notes

• Choose full-fat sour cream for maximum moisture and richness in the cake, ensuring a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Swap regular coconut milk with light coconut milk to reduce calories without compromising the tropical flavor profile.
• Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – if it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked.
• For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free cake mix and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free to prevent cross-contamination.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg