Cranberry Coconut Cake with Marshmallow Cream Frosting

Total Time Prep: 1 hour + chilling Bake: 35 min. + cooling
Yield 16 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Filled with a homemade cranberry curd and smothered with one of the fluffiest frostings you've ever had, this tall cake will make a memorable impression at any gathering. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 5 large eggs, separated
  • 1 can (8-1/2 ounces) cream of coconut
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 3 teaspoons grated lime zest
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • FILLING:
  • 5 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
  • 1/2 cup cranberry juice
  • 1-1/4 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup marshmallow creme
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
  • Fresh cranberries, optional

Directions

  1. Grease and flour two 9-in. round baking pans; set aside.
  2. 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 the cream of coconut, lime juice and zest. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in coconut.
  3. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  4. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  5. For the filling, in a large saucepan, combine cranberries and cranberry juice. Cook over medium heat until berries pop, about 12 minutes. Press cranberries through a food mill into a small bowl; discard seeds and pulp.
  6. In a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberry mixture and sugar. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from the heat.
  7. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into eggs and egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir in butter. Gently stir in lime juice and zest. Cool to room temperature without stirring. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
  8. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, marshmallow creme and butter until light and fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth.
  9. Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with a third of the filling. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost cake. Press toasted coconut over top and sides of cake. Garnish with cranberries if desired.
Filled with a homemade cranberry curd and smothered with one of the fluffiest frostings you've ever had, this tall cake will make a memorable impression at any gathering. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Recipe Creator

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