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    Home » Uncategorized

    July 12, 2011 Uncategorized

    Coconut-Lime Berry Cake

    berrycoconutcake2
    Once upon a time, when I was too hip to explain on a brief blog post, I was the tanning Goddess. I would take out my coconut scented tanning oil and spray every inch of my body. Even my toes!

    Yes, I would grease up and lay outside in all my coconut-scented glory and bath in the scorching rays watching the cool guys play volley-ball on the beach. I made sure my bangs still kept their poof and would adjust them every so often with my secret pocket mirror on the inside of my beach bag. A quick brace check with my best friend Michelle. We always had each other’s backs. Food in braces was a definite no-no when trying to look cool.
    So there we would be, Michelle and I, sitting on our pink and green towels talking about life; meaning, what was going on that weekend. We would sit there and apply more spray and poof our bangs a little more and figure out who our crush of the minute was.
    You see, poofy blonde hair, braces, coconut-scented tanning spray, and conversation…that was the way to get the guys! Before the age of texting, tweeting, Skyping, Facebooking…there was old fashioned talking. Talking in person? I know, how archaic!!??
    When I bake with coconut it takes me back to simpler times. The smell of the coconut reminds me of when I could lay out in the sun without a care for hours.Oh yeah…those were the good days.

    Coconut-Lime Berry Cake

    3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
    1 3/4 plus 1 tablespoon cups all-purpose flour
    2 teaspoons baking powder
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 cup packed sweetened shredded coconut
    1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
    3 large eggs
    3/4 cup buttermilk
    zest and juice of two limes
    3 cups mixed berries (like blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries)
    3 tablespoons orange juice

    In a medium-sized bowl, toss together the 1 tablespoon flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, the berries, and the juice. Reserve on the side for when the batter is ready.

    Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter and flour a 9-by-13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups flour, baking powder, salt, and coconut.
    DSCN8109
    In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 1 cup sugar on high, stopping the mixer to scrape the bowl as needed. Beat until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes).
    DSCN8110
    With mixer on low, add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with 2 additions buttermilk, and beat until combined. Stir in the lime zest and juice.
    DSCN8111
    DSCN8112
    Pour batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it out with a spatula.
    DSCN8113
    Scatter the berry mixture over the cake batter. Bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature.
    recipe: Martha Stewart Everyday Food
    DSCN8114
    Enjoy this delicious summer cake and breath in the coconut smell while it’s baking. Smile Soon I'll back home and catching you up on the rest of my days in Italy.

    Thank you for stopping by! CIAO:)

    « Penne with Mozzarella, Cherry Tomatoes, and Basil
    Mango Sorbet »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chef Dennis says

      July 12, 2011 at 2:57 pm

      that coconut cake looks berry berry good!! I do love the smell of coconut in tanning oils!
      Cheers
      Dennis

      Reply
    2. Elizabeth Ann (Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box says

      July 12, 2011 at 3:14 pm

      Oh WOW! This looks incredible! 😉

      Reply
    3. foodwanderings says

      July 12, 2011 at 4:12 pm

      Love love these coconut lime berry cake. Ahahaha my blonde friends used to do that in Israel and apply something to their hairs too so the sun will bleach it to even bloder shade but it wasn't coocnut oil lol. I didn't cause five minutes n th esun and all you could c is bright white teeth.

      Reply
    4. Kathy says

      July 12, 2011 at 6:56 pm

      This is my kind of cake…I think I will make one this week. It has all my favorite ingredients. Beautiful! Enjoyed your post…way before you laid in the sun baking in coconut oil…I was doing the same thing with baby oil! Now I can't stand to sit too long in the sun.

      Reply
    5. Foodafok says

      July 12, 2011 at 7:36 pm

      One of my favorite cookie. I really like.

      Reply
    6. Parsley Sage says

      July 12, 2011 at 10:28 pm

      Awesome cake! And I totally love the 'poof.' Only the coolest girls can rock it 🙂

      Reply
    7. Kathleen says

      July 12, 2011 at 10:44 pm

      This cake looks delicious! I love your story about laying in the sun all lathered up in coconut oil. That's exactly how I spent my teenage years. To this day the smell of coconut takes me right back!

      Reply
    8. Elle says

      July 12, 2011 at 11:10 pm

      I used to do the same thing! Except I'm so white that I never tan. Just burn. So I had to quit doing that.

      The cake is gorgeous and just screams summer time!

      Reply
    9. Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says

      July 12, 2011 at 11:26 pm

      looks heavenly!

      Reply
    10. claudia lamascolo says

      July 12, 2011 at 11:30 pm

      Wow does this ever look awesome!~

      Reply
    11. Sinful Sundays says

      July 12, 2011 at 11:46 pm

      I love when a specific scent takes us back to a treasured moment in time. 🙂

      Your cake look delicious and light and perfect for the summer!

      Reply
    12. Cher says

      July 12, 2011 at 11:46 pm

      Oh, the days of poofy bangs & not being afraid of the sun... (Except my tan was just a pinker shade of white...)
      Those bars look pretty good...

      Reply
    13. Carolyn says

      July 13, 2011 at 12:18 am

      LOL, oh the idea that baking with coconut brings back those days of baking ourselves silly in the sun (did you also put lemon juice and/or SunIn in your hair? I sure did!).
      But the cake looks wonderful, I could eat a whole pan!

      Reply
    14. Anonymous says

      July 13, 2011 at 2:10 am

      This combination of flavors sounds heavenly. I'm in love! Must make this very soon. 🙂

      Reply
    15. Monet says

      July 13, 2011 at 2:58 am

      Hi Lora, boy this looks good. And coconut reminds me of my mom because she loves to tan, and she still uses coconut oil! Thank you for sharing this recipe with me. I hope you are having a blessed week, my friend. Much love!

      Reply
    16. Elin says

      July 13, 2011 at 6:42 am

      A great summer treat ! I must try this out...so very berry good. Haha good to hear about your coconut tanning story...it actually put a smile on my face 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us your memories of your young days 🙂 and the recipe ! Have a nice day Lora,
      Elin

      Reply
    17. Jamie says

      July 13, 2011 at 7:08 am

      Oh too funny! Coconut oil also stirs up memories of Florida but sadly I was not one of the cool, leggy blond girls such as yourself and actually rarely went to the beach or lounged poolside since it bored me silly! But I do love a good coconut cake and with berries it is perfect!

      Reply
    18. Maris (In Good Taste) says

      July 13, 2011 at 10:31 am

      These photos are so helpful and really enticing! This is a perfect cake to enjoy all summer!

      Reply
    19. Pretend Chef says

      July 13, 2011 at 1:23 pm

      What I love the most about your posts is that your stories take me back in time. I can relate to similiar situations and it makes me smile. You had me at coconut. This sounds like a delicious summer treat. I need to try this sometime. Yummy!

      Reply
    20. The Vanilla Bean Baker says

      July 13, 2011 at 3:21 pm

      My oldest sister used to coat herself in coconut scented tanning oil when she was a teenager, today she nevers go out without sunscreen and a big hat.

      Your post brought back some memories for sure and your summer cake looks scrumptious.

      Reply
    21. Evan @swEEts says

      July 13, 2011 at 3:55 pm

      One of my friends is having surgery this weekend and she loves coconut.. this may have to be the dessert to brighten her day 🙂

      Reply
    22. A Thought For Food says

      July 13, 2011 at 4:40 pm

      This is my favorite kind of dessert... rustic, seasonal, and full of flavor. Beautiful job, Lora!

      Reply
    23. Tina @flourtrader says

      July 13, 2011 at 5:51 pm

      Just the batter flavors sound fantastic! The addition of fresh fruit really makes it extra special. Simply delicious

      Reply
    24. Kim Bee says

      July 13, 2011 at 5:58 pm

      Look delicious.

      Reply
    25. Pauline says

      July 13, 2011 at 7:12 pm

      I hide from the sun now but I don't hide from coconut, love it!

      Reply
    26. Nikki @ The Tolerant Vegan says

      July 13, 2011 at 8:11 pm

      The smell of coconut reminds me of the same thing! Sitting in the sun and talking about all the drama that comes with being a teenager. This cake looks phenomenal 🙂

      Reply
    27. Marnely Rodriguez says

      July 13, 2011 at 10:07 pm

      Oh wow, this looks so good! Coconut smells like summer, beach, Martha's Vineyard. Sometimes, I slather on suntan lotion just to be inside and smell happy thoughts!

      Reply
    28. Erin says

      July 14, 2011 at 12:32 am

      HA!!! Oh the days of big bangs, and coconut oil tanning! This cake sounds delicious! I am on a fruit and lime kick, and this sound great!

      Reply
    29. kita says

      July 14, 2011 at 1:09 am

      What a cute post! I can totally see you sitting on the beach. This cake sounds great and the smell of coconut always transports me away to other places and times too 🙂

      Reply
    30. Sandra says

      July 14, 2011 at 2:54 am

      Was thinking about you this morning and wondering how you're doing. Happy to see a post here and thrilled that it's a yummy coconut cake.

      Reply
    31. Denise @ Creative Kitchen says

      July 14, 2011 at 3:31 am

      Love the memories you've stirred up...and I LOVE coconut! I keep a tube of coconut lip balm in my purse (and have since 2004) that I use for the sheer purpose of sniffing to take me to "vacation days/pre-kids." I've never used it on my lips..it's just there to use as a stress-reliever (aromatherapy!) 🙂

      Reply
    32. scrambledhenfruit says

      July 14, 2011 at 3:56 am

      I love that coconut smell, even though when I was a teen baby oil was the frying medium of choice. That's a beautiful, simple cake- just right for the summer berries so abundant right now. 🙂

      Reply
    33. Anonymous says

      July 14, 2011 at 4:26 am

      Did we all have those giant poof bangs? 🙂 The smell of coconut always reminds me of summer. I love it! What a great cake 🙂

      Reply
    34. All That's Left Are The Crumbs says

      July 14, 2011 at 6:32 am

      Yep, the bangs, the latest issue of Dolly magazine, the oil, the hot summer's day, the sunburn the next day - ah, memories. I'll show my true colors and admit that coconut always reminds me of a pina colada. I am a real sucker for tiki drinks. Anyway, back to your cake - love, love, love the idea of these flavors together, and they are all items that I generally have in the house at any given time.

      Reply
    35. mellissina2 says

      July 14, 2011 at 12:26 pm

      Nagyon szeretném megkóstolni!!!! nagyon finomnak nézem!!!

      Reply
    36. Mari says

      July 14, 2011 at 5:58 pm

      Lora, I like the combination of flavors. If it tastes as good as it looks it is worth baking!!

      Hugs

      Reply
    37. RavieNomNoms says

      July 14, 2011 at 8:18 pm

      That looks so good for summer time!! 🙂

      Reply
    38. Lana says

      July 14, 2011 at 11:44 pm

      Lol! I remember those days! I still prefer the smell of old Coppertone, but the coconut oil was the essence of summers!
      Great looking cake! I hope you are thoroughly enjoying every minute with the family! I am getting ready to go to Serbia on Monday, and I will wave to you from there:)

      Reply
    39. briarrose says

      July 15, 2011 at 1:45 pm

      Mmmm...coconut tanning oil....that scent takes me back.

      What a beautiful cake....citrus and berries...so a tasty combination and so lovely.

      Reply
    40. Foodiva says

      July 15, 2011 at 3:56 pm

      The smell of coconut makes me think of my grandmother's kitchen, and it's so funny that your association back to your younger days couldn't be any more different! This cake has the perfect flavor combo, btw. Love it!

      Reply
    41. Magic of Spice says

      July 15, 2011 at 9:22 pm

      I tried those sunbathing days myself, sadly I went from burned to severely burned 🙁 Now it's just 100+ sun block, lol
      I do love the cent of coconut though and I really love this cake 🙂

      Reply
    42. Maureen says

      July 16, 2011 at 2:53 am

      Sunbathing was never for me but I will admit the smell of coconut reminds me of the beach. 🙂

      This cake sounds devine!

      Reply

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    lora and gabby

    Welcome to our Italian kitchen! We are Lora and Gabriella, the mother-daughter team behind Savoring Italy. With more than 30+ years of experience in the kitchen, Lora has had a great advantage – receiving guidance from both her husband who is an executive chef/restaurant owner and her mother who is a renowned private chef. 

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