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Home » Eats & Drinks » The Best Coconut Loaf Cake

The Best Coconut Loaf Cake

Published on March 4, 2020 Updated on May 2, 2022 by Eden

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This coconut loaf cake is buttery and full of coconut flavor! It’s easy to make and has a 3 ingredient homemade coconut glaze poured over the top. The perfect recipe for brunch and Easter!

coconut loaf cake with a slice taken off.

In the fall we are obsessed with making our pumpkin loaf and starting in spring, we’re all about using coconut in our recipes! The tropical flavor makes us excited for warmer days, sitting outside with a coconut rum pineapple popsicle or a coconut margarita in hand and enjoying the beautiful spring evenings!

If you’re looking for a deliciously, sweet and buttery bread to add to your spring menu you must try this coconut loaf cake! It’s the perfect dessert to add to your brunch menu.

Loaf cake with coconut glaze poured over the top.

You may also love our monkey bread recipe as well as monkey bread muffins for brunch too!

Coconut Loaf Cake Video

Table of Contents

  • Coconut Loaf Cake Video
  • What Is a Loaf Cake?
  • How to Make a Coconut Loaf Cake
  • Ingredients
  • Tips for Making a Loaf Cake
  • How to Make Coconut Glaze
  • Ingredients for Coconut Glaze
  • Removing the Loaf Cake
  • How can you tell if a cake is done without a toothpick?
  • Loaf Pan
  • When to Serve this Coconut Loaf Cake
  • What to Serve with Coconut Loaf Cake
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Is Loaf Cake the Same as Pound Cake?
  • More Cake Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Coconut Loaf Cake
      • Coconut Glaze
      • Coconut Glaze

What Is a Loaf Cake?

A loaf cake is a buttery, moist cake. It usually features fruit flavors such as strawberry, pumpkin, and, in this case, coconut. Then it’s usually topped with a glaze or icing and served at room temperature.

It gets its name because it’s made in a bread loaf pan.

Canned coconut milk, eggs, shredded coconut and flour on a marble table.

How to Make a Coconut Loaf Cake

Ingredients

  • Butter – Unsalted butter. Use good quality butter when making this recipe.
  • Granulated Sugar – Used to sweeten this loaf cake.
  • All-Purpose Flour – We love King Arthur Flour for our recipes.
  • Baking Powder – This helps the loaf rise.
  • Eggs – Use organic eggs if possible. Eggs help stablize and add moisture to the recipe.
  • Vanilla Extract + Almond Extract – Both should be pure extracts.
  • Unsweetened Coconut Milk – Canned coconut milk is great.
  • Shredded Coconut – Any brand of shredded coconut you like.
  • Salt – Enhances the flavor of other ingredients.
batter in a white ceramic loaf pan

Tip: Leave a small amount of parchment paper hanging out for easy removal of the loaf.

Golden brown coconut loaf cake in a ceramic loaf pan.

Tips for Making a Loaf Cake

  • Always use the highest quality ingredients when making loaf cake. This means, whole butter, good flour, organic eggs, and good quality extracts.
  • Use a ceramic loaf pan for even baking.
  • We estimate the cooking time to be 60-70 minutes. However, everyone’s oven is different so check the loaf after 50 minutes. Always use a toothpick to check the center before removing the loaf from the oven.
  • Use room temperature ingredients when possible.
  • Always scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.

The pan you use affects the cooking time. Glass, tin, or ceramic are all completely different materials and the cooking time will vary depending on this.

We personally like the ceramic loaf pan and the cake does bake a little quicker when using it. The bottom line is, bake the cake until it’s done! The middle will rise and the cake will be done.

Coconut glaze dripping off a slice of coconut bread

How to Make Coconut Glaze

The coconut glaze is created with only 3 simple ingredients, one bowl, and no mixer! It’s poured over the top of the loaf and adds a little extra sweetness and flavor.

If you don’t want to make this glaze, you can also try our homemade caramel sauce over the top.

Powdered sugar and coconut milk on a measuring cup.

Ingredients for Coconut Glaze

Coconut Milk – Use the leftover milk in the can from the loaf.

Confections’ Sugar – Used to sweeten glaze and frostings.

Vanilla Extract – Enhances and adds flavor.

Pro Tip – Use canned coconut milk as it’s different from the coconut milk you drink in the carton. Canned is thicker and has more coconut fat.

Coconut bread with a side of glaze

Removing the Loaf Cake

When the loaf cake is done, you serve it from the pan, with the glaze poured over the top OR remove the loaf cake from the pan, serve it on a small platter and pour the glaze over it.

The easiest way to remove the loaf cake is by pulling it up on the two sides of the parchment paper. This is why we always suggest leaving a small amount at the top to grab for easy removal.

How can you tell if a cake is done without a toothpick?

Insert the toothpick into the center of the cake and if the toothpick comes out clean the cake is done. If it comes out with batter, the cake needs more time to cook.

If you take the loaf out too early it will fall in the center. However, we personally do like to take it out about a minute before it is fully done cooking so it’s not overcooked.

Additionally, you don’t have to have a toothpick to test the center. A clean sharp knife will work as well.

loaf cake on a platter, an empty loaf pan and a piece of parchment paper.

Loaf Pan

A loaf pan is a rectangular pan that is used for baking bread and loaves. If you like to bake, it’s a good idea to invest in one good loaf pan that you will have forever.

Our favorite is Emile Henry’s ceramic pan. It’s made from Burgundian clay, which absorbs, distributes, and retains heat evenly, so bread and casseroles bake and brown to perfection.

When to Serve this Coconut Loaf Cake

This buttery loaf cake is perfect for so many occasions! Here are a few of our favorites:

Easter Brunch

Easter

Tea Party

Spring Snack

Mother’s Day Brunch

Potluck

What to Serve with Coconut Loaf Cake

We love this recipe year-round! Here are some recipes you can serve with this coconut bread:

  • Fruit platter and fruit dip.
  • Any of these delicious brunch recipes.
  • Smoothies
  • Serve it with one of our fabulous brunch cocktail recipes!
Homemade coconut loaf cake with a coconut glaze and topped with shredded coconut.

Frequently Asked Questions

The challenge that every baker faces is learning how to get each of their favorite recipes perfect. This often takes years of practice. Many bakers will tell you some recipes are more fickle than others.

How, for example, do you make the perfect coconut loaf cake? What prevents it from drying out in the oven? What’s the best pan to bake it in?

These are excellent questions that experienced bakers ask themselves before starting a new recipe. Read on for some great baking tips and answers to your coconut loaf questions.

Why Is My Coconut Cake Dry?

A dry loaf cake is a problem many bakers discover when trying a new recipe. There are two reasons why you might find your fresh-baked coconut cake dry:
Too much flour
Baked too long
Both of these issues either absorb or evaporate the liquid in the batter. As a result, you find your coconut cake dry when you pull it out.

How Do You Store a Coconut Loaf?

Your loaf cake doesn’t have preservatives in it, so it’s best to eat it quickly if you want it to stay on your kitchen counter until it’s gone. Otherwise, storing it in the fridge or freezer is probably a good idea.

What Makes a Cake Moist?

A moist cake comes out of the oven that way because of the fluids used in it. In this case, this would be the butter, eggs, and coconut milk.

Why Does My Loaf Cake Crack?

It’s very common for a loaf cake to crack on top. When the batter bakes, the heat causes it to rise. When it starts rising over the top of the pan, then it spreads outward. This often causes the top to crack.

Is Loaf Cake the Same as Pound Cake?

No, loaf cake and pound cake are not the same. A pound cake gets its name from the traditional way of making it. This requires a pound of each ingredient to make the batter.

Slices of loaf cake with coconut on top.

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Let us know if you make this coconut loaf cake by leaving a comment and review below! We love to hear your thoughts!

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coocnut loaf cake

Coconut Loaf Cake

A buttery, coconut loaf cake topped with homemade coconut glaze. This cake is moist and delicious! Perfect for brunch!
4.24 from 185 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 1 loaf cake
Calories: 5119kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk, canned
  • 1 cup shredded coconut , sweetened

Coconut Glaze

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk, canned
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
  • In an electric mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar for about 3 minutes. 
  • While the butter and sugar are beating, combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and give it a stir with a fork.
  • Add-in one egg at a time, beating just to incorporate.
  • Next, beat in extracts.
  • Turn the mixer to low and alternate flour mixture and coconut milk until combined.
  • Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  • Next, add in shredded coconut to the batter and give it one more quick mix.
  • Prepare a loaf pan (we use this ceramic loaf pan) with a strip of parchment paper and butter. 
  • Then, pour batter into the loaf pan, spread evenly, and bake for about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours. THE TIME WILL VARY PER OVEN. You have to check the loaf and make sure it's finished. The top will be a golden brown and the center comes out (almost) clean with a toothpick. Please check the center with a toothpick to ensure the loaf is finished. If it's not, it will fall in the middle when you take it out.
    NOTE – The pan you use will also affect cooking time. It's OKAY if the loaf takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours as long as you're checking it and the middle has risen. Once the middle rises remove it.

Coconut Glaze

  • In a small bowl combines all of the ingredients and whisk using a fork until combined! 
  • Pour over the bread once it’s cooled for 10-15 minutes.
  • Top the coconut loaf and glaze with shredded coconut. 

Notes

Cooking time varies. Use the toothpick method to check the loaf. Make sure the center is fully cooked before removing it from the oven. 
TIP – The pan you use will affect the cooking time. Glass, tin or ceramic are all completely different materials and the cooking time will vary depending on this.
We personally like the ceramic loaf pan and the cake does bake a little quicker when using it. The bottom line is, bake the cake until it’s done! The middle will rise and the cake will be done. If it takes 1 hour, 1 1/2 hours or 2 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 5119kcal | Carbohydrates: 620g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 282g | Saturated Fat: 193g | Cholesterol: 1121mg | Sodium: 2870mg | Potassium: 1572mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 465g | Vitamin A: 6591IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 332mg | Iron: 17mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @sugarandcharm or tag us #sugarandcharm!


85 Comments

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Comments

  1. Courtney says

    September 23, 2020 at 9:07 pm

    Sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut? I went to my local grocery store to get the ingredients and left without shredded coconut because I didn’t know which to get.

    Reply
    • Eden says

      September 24, 2020 at 2:35 am

      Sweetened!

      Reply
  2. Abby says

    August 22, 2020 at 9:06 am

    5 stars
    best coconut cake

    Reply
    • Eden says

      August 23, 2020 at 1:25 am

      Thank you Abby!

      Reply
  3. YL Wun says

    August 16, 2020 at 8:57 pm

    5 stars
    Loved this cake, as did my coconut loving friend for whom I made it. Moist, delicious, addictive- loved the glaze and the toasted coconut I topped it with. I did cut the sugar to about 1 cup.

    Reply
    • Eden says

      August 17, 2020 at 1:09 pm

      Thank you for letting us know! So happy you loved the cake!

      Reply
  4. Michelle says

    August 11, 2020 at 4:17 am

    Hi Eden,
    This looks so yummy! I’m wondering if the oven temp of 300 degrees is right. I’m going on an hour and a half so far. Should it be 350 degrees? Can’t wait to taste it!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      August 11, 2020 at 1:18 pm

      Hi Michelle! We cooked ours at 300 degrees but there are so many factors that can change that! Just cook it until it’s done… golden brown and do the toothpick test.

      Reply
      • Margie says

        April 2, 2021 at 9:55 pm

        I think the particular Pan used was the reason the cake baked in less time (because of the clay bottom). A regular Pyrex loaf Pan took my cake 2 hours to bake.

  5. Janine C. says

    August 7, 2020 at 12:39 am

    5 stars
    Just wanted to comment that this is a very good recipe. I noticed some people are having issues, so I wanted to maybe help. In your photo you show the coconut milk in the measuring cup. It has the consistency of a sour cream. The organic milk I buy is more like a very runny sour cream. If I wanted the thicker kind I would have to buy the Coconut Cream in the can, not the milk. Some people may be having trouble with this depending on the brand they are buying, and hopefully not buying coconut water. The consistency matters, and some may need to add more flour, or like me added a cup of shredded coconut (from Bob’s Red Mill) that is more fine texture. Also, the internal temperature of the cake should read 200°. Hope that might help.

    Reply
    • Eden says

      August 8, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      Thank you Janine! These are all very helpful tips! I’m also glad you liked the recipe too 🙂

      Reply
  6. mae arthur says

    July 28, 2020 at 1:08 am

    What size loaf pan do you use?

    Reply
    • Eden says

      July 28, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      8 1/2 to 10 inch will work.

      Reply
  7. Ella says

    July 11, 2020 at 9:17 pm

    Never been so frustrated. I’ve never had a cake fall flat. Always been proud of myself for that. Some how I feel like the temperature was wrong. It took much longer than an hour for the cake to set. I took it out and it was beautiful golden brown everything seemed beautiful…. until after the ten minute suggested cooling time (won’t do that again either) icing (glaze) melted right off and dripped down the sunken in cratered center leaving a trail of icing. My cake imploded.

    Reply
    • Eden says

      July 13, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks for your feedback Ella. Sorry, you had a hard time with this loaf! It’s actually one of our favorites! Cooking time is hard as so many things can affect it. From true oven temperature to weather… even humidity and where you live. All of these variables will change the cooking time. So if it takes me 1 hour, that does not mean it will take you that. Could be longer, could be shorter. I always begin to check my cakes early and use the toothpick method for testing the middle so it doesn’t fall when you take it out. Also, with cooling, you should be able to feel the cake and how hot it is. If it’s too hot, wait to add the glaze. Hope all of that helps!

      Reply
  8. HomeBaker says

    June 19, 2020 at 12:24 am

    5 stars
    A serving is an entire loaf. Don’t be a rude DA. Also don’t leave a bad review of the recipe unless you actually made it and didn’t like it. Thanks!

    Reply
  9. Bonnie says

    June 12, 2020 at 1:45 am

    4 stars
    This was delicious HOWEVER I think it took at least a half hour longer to bake. It turned out perfect eventually.

    Reply
  10. Kookkai says

    June 1, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    It looks so nicee!
    One more question, is shredded coconut dry or fresh?

    Reply
    • Eden says

      June 1, 2020 at 11:04 pm

      Shredded coconut dry 🙂

      Reply
  11. Carol Guenther says

    May 30, 2020 at 6:38 pm

    Is 300 degree for oven temp. correct? I was at one hour of baking and it was very undone on the inside and the top was already fairly browned.

    Reply
  12. Claudia Caro Sullivan says

    May 22, 2020 at 11:09 pm

    Hi Eden, Your recipe looks amazing but I am vegan and am wondering if you have had anyone make it with egg and dairy substitute? Usually I use Earth Balance, but not sure about the egg replacement. Maybe Bob’s Red Mill? I’m going to try it and will report back! Best, Claudia

    Reply
  13. Cheryl says

    May 18, 2020 at 5:41 pm

    5 stars
    I have made this twice and it was even better the second time. My grandkids love it. it is crusty on the outside and moist on the inside. Will definitely make this again and again!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      May 18, 2020 at 7:36 pm

      Thank you Cheryl!! We love hearing this!

      Reply
  14. Kellie says

    May 17, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    5 stars
    Beyond delicious! Big hit at our party 🙂
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Eden says

      May 18, 2020 at 2:07 am

      Thank you Kellie!!

      Reply
  15. Cecilia says

    May 14, 2020 at 9:35 pm

    Hi, this looks amazing!! One question, can I use vegetable oil instead of butter?

    Reply
    • Eden says

      May 15, 2020 at 2:07 am

      Thank you! You can try this, but it might change the texture!

      Reply
  16. Thena says

    April 13, 2020 at 4:55 am

    5 stars
    I made this loaf today and it was soo good! I did add an extra splash of coconut extract. Everyone loved it, thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Eden says

      April 13, 2020 at 12:41 pm

      Yay! Thank you for leaving a sweet review! So happy everyone loved it 😉

      Reply
  17. Katie says

    March 26, 2020 at 5:25 pm

    5 stars
    This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
  18. Toni says

    March 26, 2020 at 5:19 pm

    5 stars
    This was really amazing! My kids loved it!

    Reply
  19. Katie says

    March 26, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    5 stars
    I am making this coconut loaf cake ASAP. Looks absolutely amazing!

    Reply
  20. Rachael Yerkes says

    March 26, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    5 stars
    This is the perfect sweet treat to eat and to share with friends/neighbors! Love it!

    Reply
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