Coconut and Almond Cake-Torta di Cocco e Mandorle
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
9 tablespoons butter
4 eggs
3/4 cup of ground almonds
1 cup finely shredded coconut
Topping:
3 tablespoons apricot jam (or your favorite jam)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan with removable bottom. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the sugar and butter until creamy (about 5 minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the mixer with a spatula to make sure you’re mixing it all together.
Add the flour mixture to the batter in three portions and incorporate stopping the mixture to scrape down the sides of the bowl after the addition of each portion. With the mixer on medium-low speed, mix in the shredded coconut and ground almonds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with your spatula to incorporate.
Spoon your batter into your prepared baking pan and bake for about 45-55 minutes, or until skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Check cake at about 40 minutes. Every oven is different. If cake is browning, cover with aluminum foil for remainder of baking time. Let cool for about 20 minutes before removing from cake pan.
When the cake has cooled, remove from the pan and place on your serving dish. In a small bowl whisk together the shredded coconut and powdered sugar. Spread the jam on top of the cooled cake and sprinkle the coconut/powdered sugar on top.
What’s your favorite coconut dessert? Do you go crazy for coconut in desserts and other recipes like I do?;)
Andrew's Mom says
Oh my coconut and almond - two of my favorites. Printing this now!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love cakes like this - perfect for dessert or even afternoon spuntino! Apricot jam sounds delicious with coconut.
Savoring Italy says
so do I! It was lovely as a spuntino;)
A Thought For Food says
This looks absolutely fabulous, Lora! I need to get my hands on that book!
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies) says
Coconut and almonds are such a winning combination--I love seeing the two of them together in a cake. What you said about the simplicity of Italian cakes and how they're not too sweet--that's what I like most about them, too...but I understand your dad. 🙂 It's been a while since I last made an apple dessert so I bought a bag of Granny Smith's a few days ago--hopefully I'll be inspired to make something sweet with them this weekend. 🙂
Savoring Italy says
Thanks, Jean! I hope you make an apple dessert...can't wait to see it:)
S.V. says
This cake looks and sounds fantastic!!! I love the combination of coconut and almond together. I posted coconut loaf cakes today so we are definitely on the same page. 🙂
Savoring Italy says
That sounds fantastic!!:)
Karriann says
I bet this smells fantastic! Can't wait to whip this up in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing!
"Happy Cooking"
Emily says
I am going to be dreaming coconut tonight thanks to this post. This looks like a great cake and I am heading on over now to check out muffins.
Brittany Campbell says
That is beautiful! and sounds delicious with jam on it. yum!!
Sandra M. says
You paired two of my favorite flavors..Love the cake..got to say it is what i love the most with my coffee or tea! Amazing photos dear Lora, tempting and tasty!!!xoxo
Kiri W. says
This looks fantastic - two of my favorite things in a gorgeous torta 🙂 I can relate - we had snow storms on the weekend, and today it's in the 60s!
Elisabeth says
Lora-your Coconut Almond Cake was really, really delicious, simple, yet so amazing...keep making your amazing cakes that we all love:DDD
Buzzed you!
p.s. also left comment for the #greenslove on your previous post!
xoxo
The Food Hunter says
perfect flavor combo
Cookin' Canuck says
Yes, yes, yes to coconut desserts (sorry, Lora's dad)! This sounds simple and absolutely perfect.
Amy says
This cake would be a favorite of mine, as I love coconut and almonds! The shredded coconut on top is a nice textural addition to the cake!
Maureen says
I love how this cake is made and the jam with sprinkled coconut on top is brilliant. Not gooey and too sweet. (although there's a lot to be said for gooey and too sweet on occasion)
Lyn @LovelyPantry says
I absolutely adore the ingredients. I recently re-acquainted myself with apricot Jam - not sure how I ignored it for over a decade. I think I will have to try making this lovely cake. Nicely done, Lora!
Savoring Italy says
Thanks so much, Lyn:)I think you need to reacquaint yourself with it;)
Anonymous says
This looks delicious and it sounds like you have a coco-nutty goodness planned!
Dionne Baldwin says
Ooo I love the looks of this cake. And your photo! It gave me that contented happy feeling I get in the spring and summer with constant fresh and and warmth! (sigh)
I love coconut too. I remember getting those bunny cakes when I was little. In the shape of a bunny with coconut on top. YUM! If I get gutsy we will make one of those!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful cake you beautiful woman! xo
Savoring Italy says
awww...my mom baked us that cake:)She's made it for the grandkids too and they love it:)Thanks, Dionne!xx
LetMeEatCake Eat With Me! says
i'm with you on the coconut! I can't get enought coconut love coconut cakes!
Eliotseats says
Love coconut! This sounds amazing!
Ilke says
Sometimes a simple cake would do! I like anything ground almond in it.
Gotta give credit to your dad, he stands his ground even in front of this beauty:)
Savoring Italy says
Thanks, Ilke! He does...stubborn about Apple Love:)
Reem | Simply Reem says
This cake has left me speechless....
Absolutely Gorgeous!!!!
Coconut.... I am in love.
Liren says
Hee hee, the organic butter makes it all better, Lora 🙂 I love coconut too, so I am all over this cake! Don't even miss the frosting, but I can't wait to see that creation, too.
Savoring Italy says
hahaha! It does, right Liren?:)I will get to it. I need to b/c I can't stop thinking of it;)
Baker Street says
Love that you used organic butter. Somehow you don't feel that bad eating a rather huge slice. Heh. The cake looks spectacular Lora! 🙂
Monet says
I love these family recipes! And you know I love coconut! Like Florida, Austin's temperature has been fluctuating. It is driving me mad! Thank you for sharing this cake. It looks so very good! I hope you are having a great week. We're gearing up for a busy weekend. Love and hugs.
BigFatBaker says
Gorgeous. I love the shredded coconut.
SweetSugarBelle says
I love that this is such a simple straightforward dessert. It presents natural flavored and brings back the simplicity of dessert. Sometimes we get overly processed and forget. Gotta live those Italian ladies!
Carolyn says
Delish, girl! I am pinning this one!
Savoring Italy says
Thanks for the Pin, Carolyn!!
Julia says
I loooooove coconut too. I can just smell the coconut baking, filling my house with the sweet aroma. Mmmmm, so good!!!
Savoring Italy says
The smell of coconut baking is enticing:)
Kitchen Belleicious says
Oh it looks to die for! The coconut and almond flavors together is a match made in heaven! Delish!
Shulie says
This is lethal Lora, as in good lethal! 🙂 Almond plus coconut equals LOVE. The birds are chirping here since January and we are not even in Florida. Building nests and we didn't have time to brush off the leaves off the bushes yet. I guess if we touch anywhere around their nests they will abandon it.
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
This cake is so lovely, Lora! It looks so moist and flavorful, just from your photos. Thanks for sharing this pretty, spring-inspired cake! I hope you have a very nice weekend.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
The cake looks beautiful! Great flavors, moist and delicious for spring!
Savoring Italy says
I feel spring is here:)Thank you, Erin!
Reeni says
I'm a coconut lover too! With a dollop of jam over top I turn into one happy girl! The weather has been crazy nuts here too! It was 70 yesterday and now it's going to snow. Have a great weekend Lora! xoxo
Lael Hazan @educatedpalate says
Simplicity with flavor, the essense of Italian desserts! Although, I'm looking forward to that book of Apple desserts, I tend to agree with your dad re: great apple desserts take the cake anytime.
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Coconut and almond is a great combo.Looks moist and delicious.
bunkycooks says
I love these simple and elegant cakes that are so popular in Europe. Your lovely cake has reminded me to get back into the kitchen and do some baking!!
Magic of Spice says
I love this combination! Gorgeous torta 🙂
Jamie says
JP prefers apple desserts to almost any but mmmm I love coconut! Maybe it is the Florida girl in me? Every time we drove down to Miami Beach when I was a kid to visit my Uncle, we would find coconuts under the trees on his street and bring one home, crack it open and eat it fresh. Delish! And I've actually been starting to think about baking with coconut which I never do! You've got me going now, baby! Looks fabulous!
Paula says
My Dad loved apple desserts too. I'm with you today though as far as this coconut and almond cake go. Love that it looks so delicious.
Lisa says
I love his cake - it's like almond joy minus the chocolate, but a few drizzles of chocolate wouldn't hurt, if I accidentally spilled some on top, right? 😉 BTW, you could have worn flip-flops in the NYC area for much of the Winter. Only three days of actual freezing Winter this year - weird ozone stuff going on.
England Furniture Company says
This coconut and almond cake looks delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
AdriBarr says
My, but what a lovely cake. And indeed, typical Italian. I adore coconut, so I must try this one. Thank you for a great post.