Coconut Pecan Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees). Grease and flour two 8 inch round pans or one 9 x 13 inch pan.
• In a large bowl, blend cake mix with the water, eggs, and oil. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 4 minutes. Stir in 2 cups coconut and nuts. Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake for 35 minutes, or until done. Cool completely.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter or margarine in a skillet. Add 2 cups coconut, and stir constantly over low heat until golden brown. Spread toasted coconut on absorbent paper towel to cool.
• Cream 2 tablespoons butter or margarine with softened cream cheese. Add milk and sugar alternately, beating well. Add vanilla, and stir in 1 3/4 cups of the toasted coconut. Ice the cake, and sprinkle with remaining coconut.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease or spray and flour three 9 inch round cake pans.
• Blend cake mix, pudding, water, eggs, and oil in large mixer bowl.
• Beat at medium speed 3 minute.
• Stir in coconut and pecans.
• Pour in pans and bake for 30 minutes.
• Place cake on wire racks to cool.
• To make frosting:.
• Melt 2 T butter in skillet and add 1/2 cup coconut.
• Stir constantly over low heat until coconut turns golden in color.
• Spread coconut on paper towels to cool.
• Cream 2 T butter with cream cheese.
• Add milk and beat in confectioners sugar gradually.
• Beat until smooth.
• Stir in vanilla and remaining 1 1/2 cups coconut.
• Spread frosting on tops of cake layers.
• Stack layers and sprinkle the golden coconut on the top frosted layer.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs, 2 cups sugar, oil and 2 teaspoons extract. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to egg mixture alternately with buttermilk just until moistened. stir in coconut and pecans. , Spoon into a greased 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the water, butter and remaining sugar. Bring to a boil; cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; add remaining extract. , Slowly pour hot syrup over hot cake. Cool in pan for 4 hours before removing to a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Melt the 12 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, add the muscovado and granulated sugars and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Add the coffee, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract and continue whisking until smooth and just combined. Add the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is smooth.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Invert the cakes onto the wire rack and let cool at least 1 hour before frosting.
• Make the frosting: Combine the whole milk, coconut milk and goat's milk in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Keep warm while you prepare the caramel.
• Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat and cook without stirring until a deep amber color, 8 to 10 minutes. Slowly and carefully whisk in the warm milk mixture and continue whisking until smooth. Add the vanilla seeds and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is reduced by half and the consistency of a caramel sauce, about 55 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, vanilla extract, salt and rum (if using). Transfer the sauce to a medium bowl and stir in the pecans and shredded coconut. Let the frosting cool to room temperature, stirring it occasionally, before frosting the cake.
• To assemble the cake, slice each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 cake layer on a cake round and spread one-third of the frosting evenly over the top. Repeat to make 3 layers, then top with the remaining cake layer, top-side up.
• Make the ganache: Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan. Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl, add the hot cream and the corn syrup and let sit for 30 seconds. Gently whisk until smooth. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Set the cake on a wire rack placed over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake, letting the excess drip down the sides. Sprinkle the top with toasted coconut and pecans. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before slicing.
• Slice the cake and top with a dollop of Coconut Whipped Cream.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch diameter cake pans with 2-inch high sides.
• Pour the flour, baking powder, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Use a whisk to stir together. This will get rid of any lumps and pseudo-sift the ingredients. In a separate large bowl, beat the sugar, butter and sweetened cream of coconut until fluffy and it resembles whipped cream, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir to incorporate all the ingredients. With the mixer on low speed, beat in 1/2 the dry ingredients, followed by the buttermilk, and the remaining dry ingredients, scraping down the sides in between each addition, just until blended.
• Using clean, dry beaters, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt in another clean large bowl until the egg whites are stiff but not dry. Cook's Note: You want to get the most volume from your egg whites, that's why it is essential that the beaters and bowl are clean. Just to be safe, I like to wipe the bowl out with a dash of vinegar, white or apple cider is best. The vinegar cuts through any fat in the bowl leaving only a sparkling bowl behind. And don't worry, you won't be able to taste the vinegar-I promise!
• In batches, fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, being careful not to deflate the whites. Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Spread the batter with an offset spatula to level the batter in the pan. Bake the cakes until a tester inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pans on a wire rack, about 10 minutes. Gently run a small sharp knife around the pan sides to loosen the cakes. Cook's Note: As the cakes cool they will shrink slightly, pulling away from the sides of the pan. By running the knife around the sides of the pan you are helping in the process by taking away any resistance. Turn the cakes out onto the racks and cool completely.
• With a pastry brush, gently brush any crumbs from the cooled cake layers. If the cake baked up with a slight dome in the center, you can trim it to even it out or just remember to place that cake layer dome-side down on the cake plate. Place 1 cake layer, flat-side up, on a cake plate. Spread 1 heaping cup Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting over the cake layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border of cake around the edge. This will give the filling a place to go or spread when the second cake layer is placed on top-you don't want it to bulge out the sides!
• Sprinkle 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut mix over the frosting. Top with the second cake layer, flat-side up. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. For a retro look, I like swoopy swirls. The best way to achieve it is to spread the frosting using the back of a spoon. It's that easy!
• Sprinkle the remaining coconut mix over the cake, gently pressing into the sides to adhere. Coconut Layer Cake can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the butter and beat until smooth. Add the sugar, sweetened cream of coconut, vanilla extract and pinch of sea salt and beat until well blended, scraping down the sides as needed, for about 3 more minutes. Cook's Note: For a tropical twist, I add just a splash of fresh lime juice and a dash of finely grated lime zest to the mix!

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch cake pans, then fit each with a parchment round. Butter and flour the parchment.
• Separate the eggs into whites and yolks. Set the yolks aside. Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks, then set aside until ready to use.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the granulated sugar, butter and coconut oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer or with a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks, coconut cream and vanilla and beat until just combined. Alternate adding the buttermilk and flour mixture to the butter mixture, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the beaten whites until completely incorporated, but keeping the volume!
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cakes comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Let cool for about 5 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• For the coconut cream cheese frosting: Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer or in a bowl with a hand mixer until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the coconut extract and salt, then slowly start to add the powdered sugar, beating it in a little at a time. Beat until all the sugar is combined and the frosting is stiff but still light and fluffy. Add more sugar if it is too loose, or a little milk if it is too thick. Set aside at room temperature until you are ready to decorate.
• If the cakes have domed at all, shave down any uneven parts to make the tops of the cakes flat and smooth.
• Spread 1 tablespoon frosting on a cake plate or stand; this will help keep the cake in place while you decorate. Place one cake cut-side up on the plate. Dollop about 1 cup frosting on top of the cake and spread it in an even layer using a spatula, knife or spoon. Place the second cake on top of the first. Add another 2 cups frosting to the top of the cake and smooth it over the top and down the sides. Repeat with any remaining frosting until the outside of the cake is frosted and smooth. Using your hands, press the toasted coconut into the sides of the cake and sprinkle it on the top, so that the entire cake is covered in toasted coconut.
• Slice and serve, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment. Butter parchment, and dust with flour; tap out excess, and set aside.
• In a food processor, finely grind coconut; transfer to a bowl. Finely grind pecans with 2 tablespoons sugar, and set aside. Into a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; stir in ground coconut and pecans. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, creamed coconut, and remaining sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in eggs and extract. Beat in flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the coconut milk, and starting and ending with flour.
• Divide batter between prepared pans; smooth tops. Bake until golden and a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 35 minutes. If tops begin to get too dark, cover loosely with foil. Let cool in pans 30 minutes. Run a knife around edges of cakes; invert onto a wire rack. Reinvert; let cool completely.
• Line two rimmed baking sheets with plastic wrap; fit one with a cooling rack. Use a serrated knife to trim tops of cake layers, if desired. Transfer one layer to baking sheet with rack; spread with filling. Place remaining cake layer on top.
• Using an offset spatula, spread 1 cup chilled ganache on sides of cake; smooth with a bench scraper. Pour remaining ganache over cake, coating completely. Transfer cake and rack to other baking sheet; chill until set, about 5 minutes. Scrape excess ganache back into bowl, passing through a sieve.
• Coat the cake again with ganache. Chill until set, about 5 minutes. Press toasted coconut on sides of the cake, if desired. Keep at room temperature until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Whisk egg yolks and milk in large saucepan until blended.
• Add sugar and butter; cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat 12 min. or until thickened and golden brown. Remove from heat.
• Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cool to desired spreading consistency.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until the yellow disappears.
• Sift together 3 cups flour and 1/2 teaspoons salt; add to butter mixture alternately with bourbon, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat batter at low speed until blended after each additioin. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, toasted pecans, and shredded coconut. Pour batter into a greased and floured 12 cup tube pan.
• Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 35 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rach 10-15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.
• Stir together 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoons vanilla until smooth, adding another 1 tbsp milk, if necessary, for desired consistency.
• Place completely cooled cake on serving place or cake stand; spoon glaze evenly over cake.

Steps:

• To bake the cake, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, add the muscovado and granulated sugars, and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Add the coffee, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla, and continue whisking until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the 2 prepared cake pans, and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto the wire rack and let cool for at least 1 hour before frosting.
• To make the frosting, combine the milk, coconut milk, and goat's milk in a small saucepan, and bring to a simmer over low heat. Keep warm while you prepare the caramel.
• Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat, and cook without stirring until a deep amber color, 8 to 10 minutes. Slowly and carefully whisk in the warm milk mixture, and continue whisking until smooth. Add the vanilla seeds and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is reduced by half and has the consistency of a caramel sauce, about 55 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, vanilla extract, salt, and rum (if using). Transfer the sauce to a medium bowl and stir in the pecans and shredded coconut. Let the frosting cool to room temperature, stirring it occasionally, before frosting the cake.
• To assemble the cake, slice each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 cake layer on a cake round, and spread one-third of the frosting evenly over the top. Repeat to make 3 layers, and then top with the remaining cake layer, top side up.
• To make the ganache, bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan. Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl, add the hot cream and the corn syrup, and let sit for 30 seconds. Then gently whisk until smooth. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before pouring over the cake.
• Set the cake on a wire rack placed over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake, letting the excess drip off down the sides. Sprinkle the top with toasted coconut and pecans. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before slicing.
• Slice the cake, and top each slice with a dollop of Coconut Whipped Cream.
• Combine all the ingredients in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and whisk until soft peaks form.

Steps:

• Pour boiling water over oatmeal and let stand for 20 minutes.
• Beat margarine until creamy.
• Gradually add sugars and beat until fluffy.
• Blend in vanilla and eggs.
• Add oatmeal, flour, and spices.
• Bake in 9 inch square pan for 50-55 minutes.
• To frost, leave cake in pan.
• Mix frosting ingredients and spread evenly over over cake.
• Put cake under broiler until frosting becomes bubbly.
• Serve warm or cold.

Steps:

• Combine dry ingredients.
• Add liquid ingredients.
• Beat to blend well.
• Fold in pecans and coconut.
• Pour batter into greased and floured bundt pan.
• Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until tests done.
• Let cake cool 10 minutes before removing from pan.
• Pour glaze over warm cake.

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and vegetable shortening in large bowl to blend. Beat in eggs and egg whites, then milk and vanilla extract. Add flour and beat just until blended. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cake in pan.
• Make frosting:
• Combine first 6 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium-low heat until butter melts and mixture thickens (do not boil), about 10 minutes. Stir in pecans and coconut. Cool until frosting is thick enough to spread but is still warm, about 40 minutes.
• Spread warm frosting over cake in pan. Let cool completely. Sprinkle chocolate chips over cake, pressing gently to adhere. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

Steps:

• In a food processor, coarsely grind coconut; set aside. Combine milk, butter, and creamed coconut in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook, stirring, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk one-third of the hot milk mixture into egg yolks. Return mixture to saucepan; cook, stirring constantly, until it is the consistency of pudding, about 5 minutes.
• Remove pan from heat. Stir in the extract and reserved coconut. Let cool completely. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days; let stand at room temperature until soft enough to spread.

Steps:

• Whisk egg yolks and milk in large saucepan until blended.
• Add sugar and butter; cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat 12 min. or until thickened and golden brown. Remove from heat.
• Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cool to desired spreading consistency.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 and spray a pie pan with Pam.
• Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly.
• Make a well in the center and add the oil, applesauce, milk, extracts, and coconut.
• Mix gently till mixture is smooth.
• Pour batter into pie or cake pan, and thump it against the counter to remove air.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• Enjoy!
• * You may top with chocolate if desired*.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Lightly grease and flour 1 13x9 sheet cake pan.
• Add boxed cake mix to large mixing bowl, make a well in the center.
• Add eggs, oil and water to the well.
• Mix on low speed 30 seconds, then medium speed for 1 minute.
• Add entire contents of tub of frosting to the batter.
• Mix frosting into batter on medium speed for 1 additional minute.
• Pour batter evenly into prepared pan.
• Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes or until edges of the cake have begun to pull away from the pan and the center is set.
• Cool in and serve from pan.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour three 9-inch round pans. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, eggs and oil in large bowl with mixer until blended. Stir in coconut and nuts.
• Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. (Do not underbake.) Cool 15 min. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely. Fill and frost as desired. (Nutrition information is for unfrosted cake.)

Steps:

• Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat. Toast coconut flakes and pecans in batches until lightly browned and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cream butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together in a bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla extract. Beat to combine.
• Combine flour and baking soda in a bowl. Add to butter mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in toasted pecans and coconut.
• Place scoops of dough on the prepared baking sheet using a 1 1/2-tablespoon spring-hinged scoop.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Carefully remove from baking sheet and transfer to a cooling rack.

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter and vanilla. Cook, stirring frequently, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in coconut and pecans.

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of three greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in coconut and pecans., With clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold into batter. Transfer to prepared pans. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and enough cream to reach spreading consistency. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with pecans and, if desired, coconut. Refrigerate leftovers.

Steps:

• Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions, adding pudding mix and vanilla; set aside. In a small bowl, combine the pecans, sugar and cinnamon., Spread half of the cake batter into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with half of filling. Top with remaining batter and filling., Bake at 350° for 34-38 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. In a small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over warm coffee cake.

Steps:

• In a heavy 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, cook the condensed milk, egg yolks, and butter 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until bubbly. Remove from heat, and stir in the coconut, pecans, and vanilla.
• Allow to cool for 15 minutes before spreading on cake.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
• Mix butter, milk, coconut milk, and vanilla extract together in a large bowl. Combine flour, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly mix into the milk mixture. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Divide batter between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake cakes in the preheated oven until tops are golden yellow and spring back when lightly pressed, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Prepare frosting while cakes are baking. Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, egg yolks, and flour in a saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring constantly, until mixture starts to thicken. Add vanilla and stir for 1 minute. Pour in pecans; cook and stir for 2 minutes more.
• Remove frosting from heat and let cool. Remove cakes from the oven and set aside to cool, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Place 1 cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Cover with some of the cooled frosting. Top with the second cake layer. Frost top and sides with remaining frosting.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
• With a mixer on low, blend together cake mix, pudding, eggs, oil, and water.
• When blended, beat for 4 minutes.
• Fold in coconut and nuts.
• Divide batter between 3 cake pans. Bake for 35 minutes or a toothpick comes out clean.
• Ice with cream cheese icing.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper, then dust with flour, tapping out excess.
• Finely grind the coconut in a food processor, then transfer to a bowl. Add pecans to the food processor, along with 2 tablespoons sugar, and finely grind them.
• In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in coconut and pecans.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, cream of coconut and the remaining sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as necessary, then beat in coconut extract.
• Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the coconut milk, starting and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter between the pans and smooth the top of each with a spatula. Bake until cakes are golden and a tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of each cake, invert onto rack, and remove the parchment. Let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Place egg yolks in a small heatproof bowl and set aside. In a saucepan, combine condensed milk, butter and cream of coconut and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until hot, about 4 minutes. Whisk 1/3 of the hot milk into the egg yolks. Transfer egg mixture to the saucepan of milk and whisk constantly over medium-low heat until mixture has the consistency of pudding, about 4 minutes. Do not let the custard get too thick. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the shredded coconut. Let cool completely.
• Make the simple syrup: In a saucepan, heat sugar and 1/2 cup water, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
• Assemble the layer cake in a pan: Cut each cake in half horizontally. Place one layer in the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan, moisten the top with 2 to 3 tablespoons simple syrup and spread 1/2 cup of the coconut filling in a thin, even layer with an offset spatula. Repeat to make 2 more layers of cake and filling, then place the last layer on top. Refrigerate cake for about 1 hour. To unmold, run a spatula around the edges, invert a cake plate over the top, and flip the cake over onto the plate.
• Make the icing: Whip the cream with the confectioners' sugar and coconut extract until stiff peaks form. Spread on the top and sides of the cake and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve.