Danish Coconut Dream Cake

This delicious Danish coconut cake, known simply as dream cake here in Copenhagen, is one of my all time favorite cakes. I have baked it countless times and I still can’t get enough of that delicious, crispy sweet coconut topping! This cake is sure to thrill anyone you serve it to, your colleagues, your friends or your family!
Coconut cake with caramelized coconut topping

The Perfect Coconut Topping

The key element of a great coconut dream cake is, of course, its iconic coconut topping. It truly makes or breaks the cake! For me, it’s essential that the topping isn’t soggy and that there is a balanced ratio between cake and topping. My dream cake recipe has been developed with that balance in mind!

That said, if you’re a crazy coconut lover, feel free to add a thicker layer of coconut topping by making one and a half times the toppings recipe. Do not that too much coconut topping can make it overly sweet and messy.

Tips for Baking the Perfect Dream Cake

  • To achieve a light and moist dream cake, gently mix the ingredients together. Avoid over-mixing the batter at all costs!
  • Make sure to grease the baking pan thoroughly with butter and dust it with a thin layer of flour before pouring in the batter.
  • Preheat your oven using the bake setting (bottom and top heating), and bake the cake in the middle of the oven.
  • Let the dream cake cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

How to check when your dream cake is done

Keep a close eye on your dream cake as it bakes and check regularly to see if it’s done. Every oven is different, so baking times may vary. Your cake is ready when a skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, with no batter sticking to it.

Baking Pan Options for Dream Cake

This dream cake can be baked in either a round pan (about 25 cm or 9,8 inches in diameter) or a rectangular baking dish (approximately 22 x 30 cm or 8,6 x 11,8 inches) for a square version. Always use appropriate metal or silicone baking pans and avoid using porcelain dishes. Remember that your choice of pan can affect baking time, so keep an eye on your cake as it bakes to prevent it from drying out.

Spongy vanilla cake with caramelized coconut topping

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when my cake is done?
Use the skewer test: The cake is done when no batter clings to a skewer or toothpick inserted into the center. Keep an eye on the cake to prevent overbaking, as it can dry out.

Can I bake the dream cake in a square baking pan instead?
Absolutely! You can bake it in a square pan (about 23 x 33 cm or 8,6 x 11,8 inches) if you make one and a half times the recipe. Just keep in mind that it may need an extra 5-10 minutes of baking time, so monitor it closely.

Can I make a thicker layer of coconut topping?
Yes, you can make one and a half portions of the coconut topping for a thicker layer. Just be cautious, as it can become quite sweet!

Can coconut dream cake be frozen?
Yes, dream cake freezes beautifully! Just remember to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight for the best results.

Coconut cake with caramelized coconut topping

Recipe

Danish Coconut Dream Cake

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This delightful coconut cake is perfect for any occasion. It’s soft, flavorful, and topped with a delicious coconut filling that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Beginner
Yield: 12 servings
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Ingredients

Cake:

  • 4 eggs
  • 300 g sugar
  • 250 g flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 50 g butter
  • 2 dl milk

Sweet coconut topping:

  • 125 g butter
  • 100 g desiccated coconut
  • 250 g dark brown sugar
  • ½ dl milk

Instructions

  • Start by preheating your oven to 200 °C (392 °F).
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined. Next, add the flour, baking powder, and vanilla sugar to the mixture. In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk and butter together. Once the mixture comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and pour it into the bowl with the other ingredients. Stir the batter gently until it’s smooth and lump-free.
    4 eggs, 300 g sugar, 250 g flour, 3 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp vanilla, 50 g butter, 2 dl milk
  • Pour the cake batter into a greased and floured springform pan, about 25 cm (9.8 inches) in diameter. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes*, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it, as baking times may vary depending on your oven.
  • While the cake is baking, prepare the coconut topping. In a small saucepan, combine all the topping ingredients and heat over medium heat while stirring until everything is melted and well mixed.
    125 g butter, 100 g desiccated coconut, 250 g dark brown sugar, ½ dl milk
  • Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and spread the coconut filling evenly over the top. Increase the oven temperature to 225 °C (437 °F) and return the cake to the oven for an additional 5 minutes.

Notes

*Baking time may vary depending on your oven and if you scale the recipe.
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The Happy Baker

Hi, I’m Trine – home baker from Copenhagen, Denmark. “Bageglad” means happy to bake in Danish and I have been spreading this happiness on the blog since 2012. Today, it reaches more home bakers worldwide than I could ever have dreamed of! Thank you for visiting!

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Hi, I’m Trine – home baker from Copenhagen, Denmark. “Bageglad” means happy to bake in Danish and I have been spreading this happiness on the blog since 2012. Today, it reaches more home bakers worldwide than I could ever have dreamed of! Thank you for visiting!

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