

the Breville Test Kitchen
Coconut Lime Cake
How we managed to pack so much flavor into this light, heavenly cake remains a mystery…or was it clever chemistry? Fluffy and moist coconut cake, laced with zingy lime syrup, layered with coconut cream filling. What’s more, you can prepare all the elements a day in advance, assembling your masterpiece with minimal fuss.
3 hrs total time
1 hr active time
Difficult
Serves 12
Ingredients
Measurements:
For the cake
- Cooking spray
- 1½ cups (10½ oz) white sugar
For the cake
- 2 cups (5 oz) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (1¾ oz) cornstarch
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 5 oz unsalted butter
chopped, at room temperature
- 1 tsp table salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 large egg whites
- ½ cup (4½ oz) sour cream
- 1 cup (8 fl oz) coconut milk
For the pastry cream
- 1 cup (8 fl oz) milk
- ½ cup (4 fl oz) coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 large egg yolks
- ⅓ cup (2¼ oz) white sugar
- ⅓ cup (1¾ oz) cornstarch
- ¼ tsp table salt
- 2 cups (16 fl oz) heavy cream
- 3 limes
zest finely grated
- ¾ cup (2 oz) unsweetened shredded coconut
For the lime syrup
- ½ cup (3½ oz) white sugar
For the lime syrup
- ¼ cup (2 fl oz) water
- ¼ cup (2 fl oz) fresh lime juice
- ½ cup (4 fl oz) Malibu
To decorate
- ½ cup (1½ oz) unsweetened shredded coconut
- 8 oz blueberries
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- 1Insert the wire racks into positions 8 and 4. Set the oven to Bake, Convection, 325°F, for 22 minutes, confirm Rotate Remind and press Start to preheat. Meanwhile, continue to the next step.
- 2Grease and line the base of 3 x 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- 3Sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and baking soda twice and set aside. Tip: Sifting the dry ingredients together twice, eliminates any lumps, ensures the ingredients are well incorporated and aerates the flour resulting in a lighter batter.
- 4Beat the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes, or until pale and creamy. Scrape down the bowl, if necessary.
- 5Add the egg whites and beat until well combined. Then gradually beat in the sour cream. Scrape down the side of the bowl.Tip: Reserve the yolks for the pastry cream.
- 6Add a third of the sifted dry ingredients, mix on low speed until just combined. Add half the coconut milk. Add another third of the dry ingredients and the remaining coconut milk. Finishing off with the remaining dry ingredients. Scraping the bowl occasionally.
- 7Divide the batter evenly between the pans and level the tops.Tip: Approximately 15 oz in each pan.
- 8Once preheated, place two pans in rack position 4 and one in rack position 8 and cook for 22 minutes. When the Rotate Remind signals, swap the pans and continue cooking. Meanwhile, make the pastry cream.
- 9Place the milk, coconut milk and vanilla in a medium saucepan, place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat as soon as it comes to a boil.
- 10Place the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch and salt in a heatproof bowl and whisk until smooth. Gradually pour the hot milk over the egg yolk mixture and whisk to combine. Return to the saucepan.
- 11Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and whisk until mixture boils and thickens. Transfer to a shallow dish. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin forming and allow to cool. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
- 12The cakes are ready when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If not, bake for a few more minutes.Tip: Don’t insert the skewer into any of the cracks as this will give an inaccurate result.
- 13Stand the cakes in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn onto wire racks to cool completely. Meanwhile, make the lime syrup.
- 14Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan, place the pan over medium-high heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a boil. Once boiled, remove from the heat, stir in the lime juice and Malibu and set aside.Tip: Grate the lime zest before juicing.
- 15Use a serrated knife to level the top of the cakes. Brush each cake generously with some of the syrup, allow the cakes to stand to absorb the syrup and repeat until all the syrup has been absorbed.
- 16Once the pastry cream has chilled, place it in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk for 5 minutes, or until smooth. Add the cream and whisk for a further 3 minutes, or until thick. Add the lime zest and shredded coconut and whisk until combined.
- 17Place one cake, top-side up on a cake board or serving plate. Spread with a quarter of the pastry cream and sandwich with another cake. Spread with another quarter of the pastry cream and sandwich with the remaining cake, top-side down to create a flat top. Spread the remaining pastry cream over the top and side.Tip: A turntable and cake scraper makes it easier to spread.
- 18Press some of the shredded coconut around the side of the cake and sprinkle around the top edge. Clean off any excess coconut that’s around the cake. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the pastry cream to set.
- 19Decorate with the blueberries, sprinkle with powdered sugar and the remaining coconut. Slice and serve.