Sometimes known as a “naked cake,” this easy unfrosted Coconut Layer Cake is the perfect solution for people who suck at spreading frosting (like me). Instead of “sloppy” we get to call it “rustic.”
Do you ever change into workout clothes in the late morning so that you can explain to droppers-by that you were totally working out, and that’s why you’re not dressed at 11am on a Tuesday?
Yeah. Me neither.
No really, I’ve never done that (I swear! Don’t look at me like that), but I seriously considered it the other day. Never mind that the only “dropper-by” is the mailman, who is the most dedicated mailman I’ve ever seen by the way. He has to come right up to the house to put the mail in the slot, right next to our huge window. He has never looked in. Not once.
Like, aren’t you even curious, dude? I would be all over that if I were a mailman. Probably that’s why I’m not a mailman. They would spot me as a creeper way early in the interview process.
I made a cake guys! An easy one. I mean, it’s not even frosted on the outside. Of course I agonized over every swirl and dollop, because that’s just what food bloggers do. My mom was helping me make this today, and we joked that if we had spent 5 minutes putting it together instead of 30, it would look exactly the same. I really think it would.
One time I spent at least 10 minutes arranging a bowl of salad just so for a photograph, then dumped some more salad into another bowl that was meant to go in the background. Yep, the final shots were of the dumped salad. Just for the record, I never overanalyze things either.
I am all over this “naked cake” trend. So easy. I love this version because it is full of coconut flavor…and no coconut. I hate the texture. If you are into that though, this cake would be really good sprinkled with some toasted coconut flakes! The cake is a doctored white mix and it could not be easier, or more delicious. It is so moist. Don’t skip the fresh fruit, it really helps balance out the flavors.
I used a name brand cake mix, with a generic brand of pudding. You will need TWO boxes of cake mix, and TWO boxes of pudding.
Use parchment paper to line the bottoms of your pan. So much easier to get out.
Add a little bit of frosting to the cake stand so it will stick.
If you want a clean looking cake (like Glory’s over at Glorious Treats), spread your frosting like the one on the left. If you want something a little more “rustic”, spread your frosting unevenly on the edges.
If you notice that the cake is tilting, use cake scraps to fill  in some space in the middle. Then cover it with more frosting.
A few notes in general about unfrosted layer cakes, or “naked cakes:”
- Yes, it will dry out faster than a normal cake. So plan accordingly! Make the cake ahead and assemble last minute.
- Freeze your cake layers once they have cooled completely. You will cry if you don’t. I’m not even kidding.
- If you are worried about the frosting getting soft and smooshing out the sides, refrigerate the completed cake for an hour so that it stays firm. Longer than that will dry the cake out.
- Level your cakes by slicing off the dome on top. Save the cake scraps and use them to even out your cake as you assemble. If it’s dipping on the left, add some cake scraps until it looks level, then cover it up with frosting.
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Coconut Layer Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 16.5-oz boxes white cake mix
- 2 3.4-oz packages vanilla pudding mix, dry. Don't make pudding!
- 1 cup water, divided
- 1 cup oil, divided
- 2 cups sour cream, divided
- 6 large eggs, room temperature, divided
- 2 tablespoons coconut extract, divided
For the frosting:
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 & 1/2 8-oz packages cream cheese, cold
- 2 & 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, heaping
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- fresh fruit, to garnish
- powdered sugar, to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Unless you have a huge stand mixer, you will need to make the cake in 2 batches. I only have 2 cake pans anyway, so it worked for me.
- Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together 1 cake mix, 1 package of pudding mix, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup sour cream, 3 eggs, and 1 tablespoon coconut extract.
- Scrape down the sides and bottom. Beat for at least 3 minutes.
- Pull out enough parchment paper so that both your cake pans fit on it. Fold the paper in half. Use a pencil to trace the bottom of one cake pan onto the paper. Then cut out the folded paper so you get 2 circles. Place the 2 circles in the cake pans. Spray the sides of the cake pans with nonstick spray.
- Divide the batter between the pans. Drop each pan onto your counter from a few inches up, so that some of the air bubbles pop.
- Bake the cakes at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes. (The lower temperature is so that the edges stay tender and don’t darken as much–important because there will be no frosting to cover it). I baked one cake on a high rack and one on a low rack. After 20 minutes, I switched the cakes and rotated each one 180 degrees. After 10 minutes, the top one was done and the bottom one needed 1 more minute. You will know the cakes are done when they do not shake in the center; when a toothpick comes out clean; or when the center springs back immediately when you press on it.
- Let the cakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Leave the parchment paper on.
- When the cakes are cool, use a sharp serrated knife to slice off the dome of each cake. Wrap each cake tightly in plastic wrap (use plenty) and transfer to the freezer.
- Repeat all of the above steps with the other cake mix.
For the frosting:
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter until it is fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the cream cheese. Beat until it is fluffy, at least 2 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom. Add the coconut extract and salt and beat together. Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing in between each addition. If the frosting seems to thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- To assemble:
- Add a small daube of frosting on your cake plate. Place the first frozen layer on top. (Leave the other layers in the freezer until you need them.)
- Heap about 1 cup of frosting in the center of the cake. Use an offset spatula to spread the frosting to the edge of the cake. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Add the next layer. Continue to layer the cakes and frosting.
- Garnish the cake with raspberries or other fresh fruit. Sprinkle with a dusting of powdered sugar, if desired.
- To serve, use a very sharp serrated knife to slice the cake all the way to the bottom. Wipe off the knife with a wet towel in between each slice.
Notes
Nutrition
Some other cakes I’ve made that you might like:
- Almond Sheet Cake
- Blackberry Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
- Spiced Poppyseed Cake with Almond Buttercream Frosting
- Strawberry Truffle Cake
Other beautiful “naked cakes” from around the block:
- Chocolate Raspberry Cake from Glorious Treats
- Lemon Strawberry Layer Cake from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
- Â Irish Drunken Cake from Eat the Love
Good god woman your photos are out of this world!!! That is one GORGEOUS cake. Let me tell you–I am ALL OVER the naked cake trend as well. So much less frosting/hassle required. I feel you. A million thumbs up for this freaking awesome looking cake!!!
I could eat coconut everything forever. Truly. This looks fantastic! Also (true story), my gym is located inside my grocery store (upstairs), so I have been know to don workout wear to look virtuous while I shopped for snacks and baking ingredients.
I think I’ll take my cakes naked from now on, thankyouverymuch!
This cake is so cute! I love the naked look, but I haven’t made anything that way yet. Frosting the side is always my greatest challenge.
Yeah…I don’t really bother to change into clothes if I don’t need to. There are days where I just wear my pajamas all day. I love those days!
I would definitely unleash my stalker tendencies if I were a mailman. Also, I’m always in workout clothes and I barely workout; unless you consider whisking muffins a workout. This cake is gorgeous. I’m all about the “naked cake” trend.
So wow Karen, you definitely nailed the naked cake! It looks so amazing!
Oh I love this. I’m not that neat of a cake froster either, so I’m all for a “naked” cake. And coconut too. Yum!
Hi Karen,
This recipe looks amazing, I’ve always wanted to make a coconut cake. Your recipe seems very easy to follow. I will def do this when I’m on a splurge day. :)
Your blog is very cute btw.
-M
This cake looks amazing! Plus, I love coconut. And not having to painstakingly frost the sides of a cake I tried unsuccessfully to even out.
The naked look is my favourite for cakes … and for hot guys like David Beckham, but let’s try and focus on your cake right now. It’s gorgeous, Karen. I love coconut cakes with cream cheese frosting. My cake decorating skills are pretty weak but instead of spending all that time trying to perfect something (and failing miserably) I’d rather make something that’s delicious to eat and spend my time doing the eating. I know you feel the same way. These photos are gorgeous…and I hope your giveaway is for that adorable cake stand or the beautiful artwork in the background!
I have seriously been hoping for so long for a bride or brides to finally get on this naked band wagon! Would seriously make my job so much easier! And I’m so glad to know the frosting knife I got your mom is going to good use! ;)
The coconut texture thing must run in the family, a few of us Halladay’s can’t do it either.
Super pretty and looks so delicious too!! Thanks for the mention =)
This cake looks amazing! And I love the fact that you don’t have to frost it – seriously, I suck at frosting cakes ;) I’ve never hear of the term “naked cake” – but I’m already in love with the idea.
Such a pretty cake and that frosting looks amazing!
this is so pretty! I love the “naked” look. Somedays, I throw on clothes right before my husband gets home so it looks like I’ve been productive that day. Then I change right back into sweats. Good times.