Coconut-Cake with 7-Min Frosting

 

Coconut Cake with 7-Minute Frosting: A Southern Belle of a Dessert

Few desserts evoke the charm of the Southern kitchen quite like a Coconut Cake with 7-Minute Frosting. With its fluffy white layers, sweet coconut flavor, and that cloud-like frosting, this cake is as much a celebration as it is a treat. It's the kind of cake you'd find gracing the center of the table at Easter, Christmas, or a Sunday potluck—radiating elegance and nostalgia in every slice.

This is more than just a cake. It’s a tradition, passed down through generations. And once you taste it, you’ll understand why it continues to hold such a special place in Southern hearts and kitchens.

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What Is 7-Minute Frosting?

The name might sound mysterious, but 7-minute frosting is an old-fashioned, egg-white-based frosting that’s whipped to glossy, marshmallow-like perfection over simmering water. Think of it as the lighter, fluffier cousin to meringue or marshmallow creme.

It’s the ideal pairing for coconut cake: sweet, airy, and just sticky enough for shredded coconut to cling to it like snow on a mountaintop.

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Why You’ll Love Coconut Cake with 7-Minute Frosting

• Light yet decadent – Rich coconut flavor without being heavy

• Show-stopping appearance – A tall, white beauty that steals the spotlight

• Perfect texture combo – Soft, tender cake + fluffy frosting + delicate coconut

• Timeless flavor – Sweet, tropical, and nostalgic

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Ingredients At a Glance

(Adjust based on your recipe, but here’s a classic breakdown.)

For the Cake:

• All-purpose flour or cake flour

• Granulated sugar

• Eggs

• Butter or shortening

• Buttermilk or whole milk

• Baking powder and salt

• Vanilla extract

• Coconut extract (optional for extra coconut flavor)

• Sweetened shredded coconut (optional inside the cake)

For the 7-Minute Frosting:

• Egg whites

• Granulated sugar

• Cream of tartar or corn syrup

• Water

• Vanilla extract

For Assembly:

• Sweetened shredded coconut (for the exterior)

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How to Make Coconut Cake with 7-Minute Frosting

1. Bake the Cake Layers:
   Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, then alternate dry ingredients with milk. Bake in round cake pans until golden and springy to the touch. Let cool completely.

2. Make the 7-Minute Frosting:
   In a double boiler (or heatproof bowl over simmering water), beat egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar. Whisk constantly for about 7 minutes, until the frosting forms glossy peaks. Finish with a splash of vanilla.

3. Assemble the Cake:
   Spread frosting between layers, generously over the top, and down the sides.

4. Add Coconut:
   Gently press shredded coconut all over the cake until it’s fully coated.

5. Chill & Serve:
   Let the cake rest to allow flavors to meld. It’s even better the next day!

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Tips for Success

• Room temperature eggs whip better—especially for the frosting.

• Use a candy thermometer if you're unsure about the frosting stage (reaches about 160°F).

• Toast the coconut for a different flavor profile, or keep it raw for that classic snow-white look.

• Refrigerate leftovers—7-minute frosting is delicate and doesn’t hold up in high humidity for long.

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Serving Suggestions

This cake shines on its own, but a few accompaniments make it extra special:

• Serve with a scoop of pineapple sorbet

• Add a cup of sweet tea or hot coffee

• Garnish slices with fresh berries or mint

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The Legacy of Coconut Cake

Coconut Cake has deep roots in Southern culinary history, often passed down in handwritten recipe cards or clipped from vintage church cookbooks. The use of coconut—once considered exotic—was a luxury and a sign of a special occasion. Paired with 7-minute frosting, this cake became the crown jewel of many family celebrations.

Today, it still holds that same sense of celebration. Whether you make it for the holidays, a birthday, or “just because,” Coconut Cake with 7-Minute Frosting always feels like something meaningful.

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Final Thoughts

Light, elegant, and irresistibly nostalgic, Coconut Cake with 7-Minute Frosting is a true Southern treasure. It’s not just dessert—it’s tradition, memory, and celebration wrapped in coconut and clouds of meringue. If you’ve never tried making it, now is the time. Once you do, it’s sure to become a permanent part of your special-occasion baking.