Louisiana Crunch Cake

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 55 min. + cooling
Yield 12 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Louisiana crunch cake is every coconut lover's dream come true, with crispy coconut baked onto the exterior of the tender, coconut-flavored pound cake.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • CAKE:
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2-1/2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons coconut extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • GLAZE:
  • 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 4 to 5 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325° with the rack in the middle position. Grease a 10-in. tube pan.
  2. Combine coconut and granulated sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over the bottom and sides of the prepared tube pan, rotating and shaking until the interior is evenly coated. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. In a separate small bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda; add to the wet ingredients alternately with buttermilk, beating well until combined, 2-3 minutes.
  4. Pour the thick batter into the prepared pan, spreading into an even layer. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool 15 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. When the cake is nearly cool, in a small bowl, stir together confectioners’ sugar, milk and coconut extract until smooth and lump-free. Position the cake on the wire rack over a sheet pan. Drizzle the glaze evenly on top. Sprinkle with toasted coconut; let the glaze set about 10 minutes. Slice to serve.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 548 calories, 20g fat (13g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 308mg sodium, 87g carbohydrate (62g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.

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