Bobby Flay’s Throwdown Toasted Coconut Cake with Coconut Filling and Coconut Buttercream

If there is a special occasion or a special someone you are going to make a cake for....I highly, highly recommend this cake.  It is absolutely fantastic...kind of unreal. 

I saw this cake made on Throwdown a while back and it has always been in the back of my mind.  Thanksgiving was the perfect excuse to go baking wild and this cake made its appearance.

I wish I had a picture of the four-layered inside...but by the time we cut into it, the sun had gone down and well, you know how that goes.

But the cake...it is fantastic, just incredible....I would do anything for another piece.  One of the best flavors in this cake came from using real vanilla bean and the Malibu rum.

Full disclosure...this is a time consuming recipe, with many steps and somewhat advanced in skill.  I say that only because you have to make custard, which some people have a hard time with.

But it's worth every minute of time spent. Just the best cake ever.




First make the simple syrup by bringing water and sugar to a boil.  Stir in the coconut, remove from the heat and let sit for at least 30 minutes. and up to 4 hours.  Strain the liquid int a clean saucepan, bring to a boil and let cook until the mixture is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes.  Let cool.




For the custard, combine the milks and vanilla bean seeds in a medium nonreactive saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat.  Whisk together the yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl.  Slowly whisk the warm milk into the egg mixture then return to the pot over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until thickened.  Scrape the mixture into a bowl and whisk in the rum and vanilla extract.  Let cool to room temperature then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least two hours or overnight.




For the cake, preheat oven to 350^o F.  Butter and flour 2 ( 9 x 2 inch) round cake pans.

Whisk together the milk, egg whites, vanilla bean seeds and vanilla extract in a medium bowl.

In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  With mixer running at low speed, add the butter, one piece at a time and continue beating until mixture resembles moist crumbs.  Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture to crumbs and beat at medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about 1-1/2 minutes.  With mixer on low speed, add remaining 1/2 cup of the milk mixture, increase speed to medium and beat 30 seconds more.  Scrape sides of bowl and mix for 20 seconds longer.  Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and smooth the tops using a rubber spatula.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 22 to 24 minutes.  Cool in the pan on baking rack for 10 minutes.  Run a small knife around the side of the pan and invert cakes onto the baking rack and let cool completely.

For the coconut filling, combine the custard and cream in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form.

For the buttercream, beat the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.  Add the coconut custard and salt and beat until combined and smooth.




To assemble the cake, using a long serrated knife, slice each cake horizontally into two layers.  Reserve 1 of the flat bottom layers for the top of the cake.  Place another layer on a cardboard round cut side up and brush with some of the coconut simple syrup.




Spoon 1/3 of the coconut filling onto the cake and using a small offset metal spatula, spread it into an even layer, leaving a 1/2" border around the edge of the cake.  Repeat with 2 more layers.  Brush the cut side of the reversed cake layer with the remaining syrup.  Place the layer cut side down on the top of the cake.




Frost the sides and top of the cake with the buttercream.  Pat the coconut onto the sides of the cake and sprinkle the remaining coconut on the top of the cake.

Bobby Flay's Throwdown Toasted Coconut Cake with Coconut Filling and Coconut Buttercream
From Bobby Flay

Coconut Simple Syrup:
1-1/2 cups water
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Coconut Custard:
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
4 large egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons coconut rum (recommended Malibu)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coconut Filling:
3/4 cup coconut custard (recipe above), cold
3/4 cup very cold heavy cream

Coconut Buttercream:
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup coconut custard (recipe above) (cold) (not with the cream whipped in)
Pinch fine sea salt

Cake:
2 Tablespoons softened butter, for pans
2-1/4 cups cake flour, plus more for pans
1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
6 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder'
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
12 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 12 pieces, slightly cold
2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, toasted

First make the simple syrup by bringing water and sugar to a boil.  Stir in the coconut, remove from the heat and let sit for at least 30 minutes. and up to 4 hours.  Strain the liquid int a clean saucepan, bring to a boil and let cook until the mixture is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes.  Let cool.

For the custard, combine the milks and vanilla bean seeds in a medium nonreactive saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat.  Whisk together the yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl.  Slowly whisk the warm milk into the egg mixture then return to the pot over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until thickened.  Scrape the mixture into a bowl and whisk in the rum and vanilla extract.  Let cool to room temperature then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least two hours or overnight.

For the cake, preheat oven to 350^o F.  Butter and flour 2 ( 9 x 2 inch) round cake pans.

Whisk together the milk, egg whites, vanilla bean seeds and vanilla extract in a medium bowl.

In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  With mixer running at low speed, add the butter, one piece at a time and continue beating until mixture resembles moist crumbs.  Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture to crumbs and beat at medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about 1-1/2 minutes.  With mixer on low speed, add remaining 1/2 cup of the milk mixture, increase speed to medium and beat 30 seconds more.  Scrape sides of bowl and mix for 20 seconds longer.  Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and smooth the tops using a rubber spatula.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 22 to 24 minutes.  Cool in the pan on baking rack for 10 minutes.  Run a small knife around the side of the pan and invert cakes onto the baking rack and let cool completely.

For the coconut filling, combine the custard and cream in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form.

For the buttercream, beat the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.  Add the coconut custard and salt and beat until combined and smooth.

To assemble the cake, using a long serrated knife, slice each cake horizontally into two layers.  Reserve 1 of the flat bottom layers for the top of the cake.  Place another layer on a cardboard round cut side up and brush with some of the coconut simple syrup.  Spoon 1/3 of the coconut filling onto the cake and using a small offset metal spatula, spread it into an even layer, leaving a 1/2" border around the edge of the cake.  Repeat with 2 more layers.  Brush the cut side of the reversed cake layer with the remaining syrup.  Place the layer cut side down on the top of the cake.

Frost the sides and top of the cake with the buttercream.  Pat the coconut onto the sides of the cake and sprinkle the remaining coconut on the top of the cake.

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