Grandma Yearwood’s Coconut Cake

I had to try Grandma Yearwood’s Coconut Cake when I first saw it. This rich, moist, and coconutty cake is made with vanilla wafer crumbs and topped with a lemon coconut glaze. It’s simply amazing!     

Are you all about bundt cakes? Try my Pumpkin Flan Cake with Maple Brown Butter Glaze.

Note: This post has been updated with new images and added content since its original publication on 11/05/13.

Vanilla wafer coconut cake is a recent discovery for me. I was curious about this novelty and did a little research. It didn’t take long for me to conclude that every Southern family has its own version of this cake, so it seems. Naturally, my curiosity was piqued—I had to make one. Let me tell you, it is DEE-li-cious! It is decadent, rich, moist, and sweeeeeeet!

The only dilemma I had was deciding which recipe to use. In the end, I went with Trisha Yearwood’s version because I had seen her make it on her cooking show. Another deciding factor was her coconut lemon glaze, which sounded luscious.

4 tips you want to know:

After having made this cake several times, I have a few tips that I like to share:  

Tip number one: if you decide to use a fancy bundt pan, make sure to prep it REALLY well for easy unmolding. The first time I made the cake was for my sister’s birthday. I used an intricately designed bundt pan with lots of indentations and curvatures. I had greased and floured it, but when I tried to unmold the cake, the sucker would not come out! The pretty presentation I had in mind never came to fruition. In the end, I poured the glaze over the unmolded cake, stuck in a few candles, and called it a day. Thank goodness the cake was amazing, and neither the birthday girl nor anyone else cared that they didn’t get a perfect slice.

Tip number two: the original recipe instructs you to turn the cake onto a rack after cooling for 10 minutes. If you can do it successfully, please let me know. For this particular cake, I find it too delicate, and it breaks apart at this point. I typically allow it to cool for 45 minutes before unmolding.

Tip number three: the recipe uses unsweetened coconut flakes; but if all you have are the sweetened ones, use those. I don’t always have the former on hand, but I usually have the latter. I make sure to reduce the sugar by 1/3 cup in the cake and 1/3 cup in the glaze when using sweetened coconut flakes. 

The last tip: Trisha’s recipe calls for a 12 oz. box of vanilla wafers, but please be aware that these cookies come in two sizes, 11 oz. and 12 oz., depending on the brand. If you use an 11 oz. box, there is no need to purchase another one; just make up the disparity by adding 1/8 cup of flour to the recipe.

Recipe highlights:

• Preheat oven to 325° F. Prepare a 9-inch bundt pan with butter and flour.
• Use a food processor to pulverize vanilla wafer cookies.
• Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla. Beat well.
• Reduce speed and add vanilla wafer crumbs, coconut, and pecan. Mix to combine.
• Pour into prepared bundt pan. Bake for 70 minutes.
• Allow to cool slightly before unmolding.

• Place all glaze ingredients in a saucepan on medium heat. Whisk for 15 minutes until thickened. Cool slightly.
• Use a skewer to poke holes into the cake. Spoon glaze over the cake.
• Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

How to store the cake:

This cake can be kept at room temperature for a day or two. Refrigerate if you want to keep it longer than that. Because of the syrupy glaze, I prefer storing the cake refrigerated. It holds up longer when chilled.

Using vanilla wafer cookies for the foundation of a cake is unconventional, but it’s so good. The coconutty and lemony glaze is very sweet. I won’t lie; I can’t get enough of it! Try this cake at least once in your lifetime. Keep it in mind for your next special occasion. You will be glad you did!

Recommended supplies:

(Affiliate links. The products I recommend are either what I use, are on my wish list, or come highly rated.)

• I use this bundt cake pan all the time. It has a non-stick coating, which helps with the easy release of the cake.
• These cooling racks are inexpensive but are my right-hand man for cooling baked goods.
• This 3.5 cup capacity food processor for pulverizing the vanilla wafers in seconds. You will need to do it in a few batches.
• A stand mixer to make your mixing job a breeze or a handheld electric mixer will also work as well.
• Hand whisk for preparing the glaze. This one is stainless steel and dishwasher safe.
• Saucepan for cooking the glaze. This stainless steel pan has a tapered rim for drip-free pouring.

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Grandma Yearwood’s Coconut Cake

Author: Thao | In Good Flavor Cooking Method:Mixing, Baking Cuisine:American Courses:Dessert Recipe Keys: B Baking

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time:1 hour 25 minutesTotal time:1 hour 40 minutesServings:10 Servings

Description

I had to try Grandma Yearwood’s Coconut Cake when I first saw it. This rich, moist, and coconutty cake is made with vanilla wafer crumbs and topped with a lemon coconut glaze. It’s simply amazing!             

Ingredients

• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, room temperature
• 2 cups sugar (reduce sugar by 1/3 cup if using sweetened coconut)
• 6 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 box (12 oz.) vanilla wafers, finely crushed (See Note at the beginning of the instructions
• 6 ounces unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Coconut Lemon Glaze:

• 2 cups sugar (reduce sugar by 1/3 cup if using sweetened coconut)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Pinch of salt
• Grated zest of 2 large lemons
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 6 ounces unsweetened coconut flakes

Instructions

1. Note:  If using an 11 oz. box of vanilla wafers, add 1/8 cup flour to the recipe.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
3. Brush softened butter onto a 9-inch bundt cake pan, making sure to cover every crevice. Add a light dusting of flour. Tap out excess.
4. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Beat well.
6.  Add vanilla wafer, coconut flakes, and pecans. Mix until well incorporated.
7. Pour batter into the pan and bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes. 
8. Allow to cool on a cooling rack for 45 minutes before unmolding. Working your way around the cake, slide a thin blade knife down as far as possible between the cake and the pan to release the cake from the wall. Repeat for the inner circle of the bundt pan. Invert it onto a plate and give it a couple of good taps to unmold.  
    

For the glaze:

9. Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Cook and stir until bubbly and thickened (about 15 minutes). Allow to cool slightly before glazing the cake.
10. Using skewers, poke holes all over the cake. Spoon glaze onto the cake.
11. Makes 10-12 servings.

Notes:

• I prefer to use sweetened coconut flakes in both the cake and glaze. In doing so, I reduce the sugar by 1/3 cup in the cake batter and 1/3 cup in the glaze.
• Cooking spray does not always work well. I find that a generous coating of softened butter and a dusting of flour works best.
• Trisha’s recipe instructs the removal of the cake from the bundt pan after only 10 minutes of cooling. However, I find that the cake can be a little delicate to unmold at this point. I have better luck waiting about 45 minutes before unmolding. You can try it at the 10-minute mark if you like. Wait a little longer if it looks like it needs to firm up more.
• If the cake resists coming out of the pan after the cooling period, submerge the bundt pan halfway into hot water for a minute or two, then attempt to unmold it. Repeat this step a couple of times if needed. The hot water helps melt the butter and allows the cake to release from the pan more easily.

Keywords:Cake, Bundt Cake, Coconut Cake, Grandma Yearwood’s Cake

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