Indulge in the irresistible charm of Dolester Miles' Coconut Pecan Cake, a culinary masterpiece that captures the essence of Southern hospitality and charm. This iconic cake, named after the legendary African-American chef who created it, has become a symbol of culinary excellence, captivating taste buds with its moist, tender crumb, rich coconut flavor, and the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. As you embark on this culinary journey, discover the secrets behind this remarkable dessert, unraveling the techniques and ingredients that elevate it beyond the ordinary, turning it into an unforgettable experience for every occasion.
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DOLESTER MILES' COCONUT PECAN CAKE
This is a rich, special-occasion cake that takes the traditional Southern coconut cake to another level, with ground toasted pecans in the batter and an easy-to-make Chantilly cream for frosting. It has become the signature dessert for Dolester Miles, who serves slices over a little puddle of crème anglaise at Chez Fonfon and Bottega, and sometimes at the Highlands Bar & Grill, the Birmingham, Ala., restaurants owned by Frank and Pardis Stitt. Assembly can be a challenge, so she suggests building the cake by stacking the delicate slabs of cake with filling in between each layer into a deep, round cake pan, then slipping it into the refrigerator for about an hour. The filling acts like a delicious glue. When the cake is inverted and unmolded, the edges have an even, professional appearance.
Provided by Kim Severson
Categories cakes, dessert
Time 5h30m
Yield 12 to 14 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper, then dust with flour, tapping out excess.
- Finely grind the coconut in a food processor, then transfer to a bowl. Add pecans to the food processor, along with 2 tablespoons sugar, and finely grind them.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in coconut and pecans.
- In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, cream of coconut and the remaining sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as necessary, then beat in coconut extract.
- Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the coconut milk, starting and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter between the pans and smooth the top of each with a spatula. Bake until cakes are golden and a tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of each cake, invert onto rack, and remove the parchment. Let cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the filling: Place egg yolks in a small heatproof bowl and set aside. In a saucepan, combine condensed milk, butter and cream of coconut and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until hot, about 4 minutes. Whisk 1/3 of the hot milk into the egg yolks. Transfer egg mixture to the saucepan of milk and whisk constantly over medium-low heat until mixture has the consistency of pudding, about 4 minutes. Do not let the custard get too thick. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the shredded coconut. Let cool completely.
- Make the simple syrup: In a saucepan, heat sugar and 1/2 cup water, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the layer cake in a pan: Cut each cake in half horizontally. Place one layer in the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan, moisten the top with 2 to 3 tablespoons simple syrup and spread 1/2 cup of the coconut filling in a thin, even layer with an offset spatula. Repeat to make 2 more layers of cake and filling, then place the last layer on top. Refrigerate cake for about 1 hour. To unmold, run a spatula around the edges, invert a cake plate over the top, and flip the cake over onto the plate.
- Make the icing: Whip the cream with the confectioners' sugar and coconut extract until stiff peaks form. Spread on the top and sides of the cake and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 730, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 80 grams, Fat 44 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 30 grams, Sodium 301 milligrams, Sugar 62 grams, TransFat 1 gram
COCONUT PECAN CAKE
Delicious coconut pecan cake with cream cheese toasted coconut frosting. Fruitcake
Provided by cookie
Categories Desserts Nut Dessert Recipes Pecan Dessert Recipes
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees). Grease and flour two 8 inch round pans or one 9 x 13 inch pan.
- In a large bowl, blend cake mix with the water, eggs, and oil. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 4 minutes. Stir in 2 cups coconut and nuts. Pour into prepared pans.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until done. Cool completely.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter or margarine in a skillet. Add 2 cups coconut, and stir constantly over low heat until golden brown. Spread toasted coconut on absorbent paper towel to cool.
- Cream 2 tablespoons butter or margarine with softened cream cheese. Add milk and sugar alternately, beating well. Add vanilla, and stir in 1 3/4 cups of the toasted coconut. Ice the cake, and sprinkle with remaining coconut.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 468.7 calories, Carbohydrate 55.3 g, Cholesterol 61.8 mg, Fat 26.6 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 10.7 g, Sodium 306.2 mg, Sugar 44.8 g
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your cake.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the cake, making it lighter and more tender.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help to prevent the cake from curdling.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Bake the cake in a preheated oven. This will help to ensure that the cake bakes evenly.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.
Conclusion:
This coconut pecan cake is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist texture, sweet coconut flavor, and crunchy pecan topping, this cake is sure to be a hit. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is sure to give you a delicious and impressive cake. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give this coconut pecan cake a try. You won't be disappointed!
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