threeplusfire: (Gardenia Cake)
three ([personal profile] threeplusfire) wrote2009-08-26 02:48 pm

coconut cake

After seeing an episode of Good Eats about them, I decided it was time to make a coconut cake. It's a pretty Southern thing, the fluffy multi-layer cake with grated coconut all over the frosting. I even have a T-rex squirt bottle like Alton Brown. I splurged on getting a hand held mixer to use for frosting and a big cake carrier since transporting a four layer cake can be hazardous.

So, following the advice of Alton Brown, I bought two coconuts to get coconut water and make my own coconut milk and coconut cream. Using a cordless drill to open them up is a supremely good idea. Even after cracking them up with a hammer, it still took quite some time to grate and chop all that coconut. I grated my knuckle, which hurts ridiculously for the size of the injury. Mike helped a lot or I may never have finished. But eventually coconut cream and coconut milks were made.

Once the butter softens, I'll start baking the cake. The part I'm most nervous about is making the frosting. Seven minute frosting is supposedly almost fool-proof, but frosting has never been my strong point. I'm excited though. This is definitely not an every day cake, given the amount of labor and prep work involved. But really, a well done, home made coconut cake is a thing of sublime beauty.

[identity profile] cozzene.livejournal.com 2009-08-26 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
oh, now that sounds mighty good. I love Alton Brown. The man is a serious freaky genius.

[identity profile] tsarina.livejournal.com 2009-08-27 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
He is! I love watching Good Eats.

[identity profile] silvanis.livejournal.com 2009-08-26 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
T-Rex squirt bottle! Alton is my hero!

Can't say much about the pie; I don't like coconut :(

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[identity profile] sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com 2009-08-27 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
Oh my Goddess, this sounds delicious. I didn't realize coconut cakes were a Southern thing! They've been around since I was old enough to see the cakes in the display of every Luby's-style restaurant I've ever been in. Yummm. Do report on how it goes! With pictures!

[identity profile] bizetsy.livejournal.com 2009-08-27 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, sounds amazing! I hope you'll post pictures and tell us how it is/was.

[identity profile] cjwriter.livejournal.com 2009-08-27 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
His baked macaroni and cheese is excellent. It and the stovetop macaroni and cheese are the only mac and cheese I make.

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2009-08-27 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
I don't even like coconut cake, but you make it sound lovely.

[identity profile] sykii.livejournal.com 2009-08-29 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I love me some Alton Brown, and so does the spouse. Might have to get her that T-Rex squirt bottle!