EASY SOUR CREAM COCONUT CAKE
This sour cream coconut cake is one of the best cakes on our website. It is light and fluffy with a creamy coconut frosting. It’s delicious!
If you love coconut cakes as much as we do, you must try out delicious Do Nothing Cake. It is from the 1940’s and you don’t even need a mixer to make it!
❤️WHY WE LOVE THIS COCONUT CAKE
One of the things we love about this cake is it is made with a mix! Yes, we love cakes from scratch as much as the next person, but I promise no one will know it starts with a mix. It is so moist, and the frosting is the perfect addition. This cake is lovely any time, but we love it most during the holidays.
SWAPS
If you can’t find the cake mix with the pudding, you can make the cake with just the mix and no pudding, or you can add vanilla instant pudding to the cake mix. You will want to use the small package of 3.4 ounces. You do not make the pudding; you just add the dry ingredients to the cake mix. See the comments left by other people if you have questions about whether it works or not. Please remember you are not making the cake mix according to the box, you are just using the mix. Follow the directions in the recipe card or below.
I made this coconut cake
for my grandparent’s 67th wedding anniversary, and it was a hit! Everyone kept saying how delicious it was even the next day they were still talking about how good it was, thank you ladies for this wonderful recipe !! My search for a good coconut cake has ended, and I will use this recipe from now on!!
⭐TIP
Do not over-mix the cake; that is the reason why cakes will fall after the baking process. See the video for the consistency we like it to be. If your cake is dry, it was either over-baked or over-mixed. I do think you could easily freeze this cake. We like to store this cake in the refrigerator, it is wonderful cold.
OTHER DELICIOUS COCONUT RECIPES
Easy Sour Cream Coconut Cake
Video
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 15.25 ounce box classic white cake mix with pudding in the mix
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 cup sweetened flaky coconut
Frosting
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup sweetened flaky coconut
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients except coconut with mixer. Fold in coconut with spoon. Spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with cooking spray. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes checking center to make sure it is done as ovens vary.
Frosting Instructions
- Mix all ingredients except coconut with mixer. Spread over cooled cake. Sprinkle on coconut.
Notes
Join 1000’s of others and subscribe today!
A lifestyle magazine that inspires you to create a life you love.. Discover the simple joys that fill our lives with gratitude and inspire a deeper connection to what truly matters.
© The Southern Lady Cooks photos and text – All rights reserved. No copying, posting on other sites, or other uses allowed without written permission of the copyright holder.
Made this coconut cake for Easter. I think I overmixed it because it wasn’t as fluffy as your video shows, but it had the most wonderful taste and every bite was eaten and I was asked to bake another. I make a lot of your dessert recipes and they all are delicious. Thank you for posting so many wonder recipes.
Im so glad you gave this one a try and you enjoyed the taste! Thank you so much for letting us know and over mixing is a common thing many people do, so it happens!
Can I make cupcakes with this recipe?
You can give it a try!
Could you swap Greek yogurt for the sour cream?
I can’t say, we have only made the recipes the way they are written.
Delicious!!! Ideal for last minute dessert.
What a delicious cake! Definitely my favorite coconut cream cake.
So glad you enjoyed it, we LOVE this one!
Love this cake glade you post it will keep in a safe place.
I made this cake for an early Easter celebration. It’s to die for. This is one of the most delicious cakes EVER!! I couldn’t believe how easy and a humongous hit!! Thank you, your recipes never disappoint.
Yay!! We’re thrilled it was a hit. You’re right, it’s so simple and absolutely delicious!
I am definitely going to make this for sure. Do you know if it can be baked in 2 layer cake pans? Also could it be frozen after frosted?
We have never tried it that way but I see no reason why you couldn’t. You would need to adjust the cooking time. I have never tried freezing it.
Best coconut cake I ever ate!
We agree.. this one is an absolute winner!
Love this cake. Dont always use the pudding mix and still works well. I add a punnet of Rasberries also.
This coconut cake was so moist, is the best I’ve ever had. Made it for company and all that remained were the crumbs.
Love all your recipes that I’ve made. They’re always a big hit and company usually asks for the recipe.
YAY! We are thrilled to hear this was a hit! We love this one too, it’s a family favorite.
I’m so glad to find a coconut cake that doesn’t call for frozen coconut. Just found out it’s no longer available to purchase in my area! (Mississippi). This will be made today! Thank you!
Sara Gubbs, Do you have an Ingles grocery store in your area? I know Birds Eye quit making frozen coconut but I found after much searching that Ingles sells their own brand, Laura Lynn frozen coconut. Hope you have an Ingles near you, if not you might try other stores to see if they have their own label of frozen coconut. Another thought is to try a Whole Foods store or Sprouts. Good luck!
Can you add pudding mix to this cake if you can’t find cake mix with pudding in it?
Yes, you can or you can simply leave it out, we talk about that under “swaps” in the recipe.
Made for my Dad’s birthday! Delicious I will bake this one again.
This cake is incredible!
I made it for Easter Dinner.
I made only a half recipe since only the 2 of us. I split everything in half-except 2 eggs. It turned out great! Baked it in a 9″ square pyrex (didn’t have an 8″). There were 9 pcs total. My husband loves anything coconut, and he told me not to get rid of this one! We had friends stop by in the evening on their way home, had them try it, and she asked for the recipe. Made her a copy! My husband had another piece with them and just savored it!
It really is a great cake, and it worked out cutting the recipe in half!
To anyone-try this cake, you won’t be sorry!
It deserves more than 5 stars!
I am so glad this worked out!! We agree it’s a wonderful cake and thank you for sharing how you made a smaller version.
High altitude advice?
This cake sounds great!
Haven’t made it yet, planning on it for Easter Sunday. My question is….
Can the recipe be cut in half? There is only my Husband and I, and a 13×9″ is just too big for us! We can’t eat that size cake with dietary restrictions.
Thank you ladies!
You can certainly try it. I’ve never made half this recipe so I can’t say with certainty but I would think it would work fine! Thanks!
Does this cake need to be refrigerated because of the cream cheese in icing? Thanks so much! can’t wait to try it!
We answered that question in the post. 🙂
Thoughts on freezing this iced cake?
I’ve never frozen this cake but don’t see any reason why you couldn’t. Thanks!
Yes, you can freeze this cake.
I used a coconut flavored Duncan Hines cake mix without pudding in it and then replaced the coconut extract with vanilla. It was delicious, light and moist. Folks raved about it!
So glad it was a hit!!
Could you make this in two 9” pans for a layer cake? Adjusting the baking time of course.
I see no reason why you couldn’t.
Best ever coconut cake! My family loves it!
Can’t wait to make the coconut cake. Definitely my thing. Thanks.
Excellent recipe. I used 7 minute frosting and took to a party- nothing was left!
Just made this for Sunday dinner! Easy and delicious…definitely a keeper!
So glad you enjoyed it.. we LOVE this cake!
I loved this recipe when I first made it. However, the last two times I made it, it flopped. When I took it out of the oven, it was perfect, nice and high. After it cooled, it flopped. Why? I wonder if I need to use a smaller baking pan. I’m disappointed because it’s for my friends birthday.
When a cake flops during cooling, it is most likely because the cake batter was over-mixed. Hopefully, that helps.
This was delicious! Even better the next day! I used Dolly Parton coconut cake mix and this took it to another level as the cake texture was perfect, as if it were made from scratch ! Careful not to over bake.
Yes, so did I! And since it’s Duncan Hines brand and has no pudding in the mix I added a small box of instant coconut cream pudding. Definitely upped the coconut flavor! I didn’t even need to add the extract to the cake batter but I did add it to the cream cheese frosting. Very delicious!
This recipe sounds fantastic!
I wanted to know if I could add a pineapple filling to the top of the cake before putting the icing on the cake?
I’ll probably take this to our family Easter celebration, yum!
We have only ever made the recipe the way it is written. You can certainly try it. This cake has wonderful reviews.
Can you frost this cake and then freeze it?
Ive never tried it but see no reason why you cant.
I have frozen the leftovers. Cut slices and place in airtight container. Then we can take out one or two pieces when we want it. Works great
Yes, I always freeze the leftovers. I usually freeze half the cake, then take it out and slice it into individual slices and wrap them in saran wrap. Have some in the freezer right now!
I absolutely love coconut and I love white cake! So, I figured when I saw this, I do not have to look any further. This will be my birthday cake this month because nobody in my family likes coconut. However, I will make it so I know it will be exactly like the one you made. So, thanks so much and Happy Birthday to me!!
YAY!! Happy Birthday!
delicious! My favorite cake ever. recommend using less coconut flakes for the icing 🙂
I made this coconut cake for my grandparents 67th wedding anniversary and it was a hit ! Everyone kept saying how delicious it was even the next day they were still talking about how good it was thank you ladies for this wonderful recipe !! My search for a good coconut cake has ended I will use this recipe from now on!!
Yay!! We’re so happy it was a hit for you!
I’ve been looking to find the perfect coconut cake recipe…my search is over! I tried this one yesterday and oh my goodness, it’s the best Coconut Cake I’ve ever had. It’s soft, tender and so very moist. I used a regular white cake mix (no pudding in the mix)… and it was perfect. One of my favorite cakes now! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
IF I add a box of pudding mix do I add more liquid
I wouldnt think you would need to, but I have never made it that way so can’t say for sure.
No just add the dry pudding mix with the boxed cake mixture and dry whisk together, then carry on with the recipe.
That’s what I do , comes out the same .
Hello I made this recipe it was absolutely amazing but I made a little change for the frosting I used 1 bar of cream cheese 1 stick of butter 1 cup powdered sugar 1cup of coconut 1 teaspoon of vanilla I thought 3 cups of sugar was to much and to sweet and it came out amazingly delicious
Loved this cake recipe with your alternative frosting suggestion!
perfect for us diabetics to have less sugar,glad you posted your version!
I could not find a cake mix with pudding in the mix but it turned out great anyway. Made it for dessert for Christmas- my sister, who loves coconut, raved about it. We both ate it for breakfast the next day. I will definitely be making this cake again.
I made this. It was delicious! My husband has requested it to made again. I loved it too.
Hello! Help please. My frosting is runny. I believe due to low quality cream cheese. I could not find Philadelphia. I have added extra cream cheese and cornstarch. Still not so good. Do I need to cool in the refrigerator? Thank you in advance.
I would put it in the fridge and let it harden back up some.
I only have unsweetened coconut. Will that work?
This cake is out of this world good! No one would ever believe this is made with a mix! I’m making this again for Christmas. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipes. I recently bought Front Porch Life Magazine and love it too. I love everything you all do! ❤️
So glad you loved this cake! It is one of our favorites too. We are thrilled you enjoyed the magazine too.
I’ve been making this cake for years, but have made it with 2 round cake pans and cut each one if half. I also used the frozen coconut. I think I went to see a friend and she had made the sheet cake, but before she frosted it, she used a toothpick or a fork and punched holes on the top. It is a wonderful cake!! I also made extra frosting to put on all four layers. Thanks.
Thanks for another ‘keeper’ recipe! I toasted the coconut for the top.
I am a coconut “nut” and this cake is absolutely the best.I have had in years. My husband likes it too.
This cake is sooooo good! Made this with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream cause I didn’t have sour cream, also made the cream cheese frosting with 1/3 cup unrefined cane sugar dissolved in vanilla coffee creamer mixed with the cream cheese. It is delicious!
Made this cake last night! It’s delicious and so easy. Definitely a winner.
I made this cake for Christmas, such a good cake recipe.
I didn’t have cream cheese for the frosting so made a 7 minute frosting which complemented the cake very well.
so so good and moist yummy yummy
This cake is my all time favorite. I’m so glad I found your recipe years ago, it wouldn’t be a holiday at our house without this dessert. If you haven’t made this cake…make it! It’s delicious!
Thank you so much for the kind words. We love this cake too!!
What changes would I have to make if I wanted to bake the cake in 2 8″cake pans so I could give for gifts? Would it still be as good?
Thanks.
It doesnt matter what size cake mix you use, either will work. Our recipe was updated to the most RECENT size of cake mixes. It’s the company that makes the cake mixes that continue to change the size. Glad you enjoyed the cake, it’s one of our most popular.
I didn’t have everything but made it anyway and it was GREAT. I HAD A WHITE CAKE MIX, NO PUDDING INCLUDED. I was a little short on the sour cream and only had dried plain coconut, not the sweetened stuff. Used vanilla extract. We didn’t want frosting so I topped with whipped cream and on that, fresh strawberry sauce I had made last week. My point is, this recipe is quite forgiving and still turns out tasty. Fresh strawberries in their syrup would be lovely atop this, I think. Thanks for the recipe!
Yes I was getting ready to make the Sour Cream Coconut Cake. And I sent my Grandson to the Store. And he came back with the cake mix without the pudding mix in it. But I have the vanilla pudding mix love box. Do you think it will work ok? Please answer me back. I am excited to try it . Ty have a Happy Easter.And a safe and healthy one.
Charlene, I think if you added the pudding mix it would still work fine. I use a box mix and pudding mix in this coconut cake and it’s delicious. So I think I would give it a try.
https://thesouthernladycooks.com/coconut-pound-cake/
This cake looks so good and easy. Over here, Australia, we don’t have mixes with pudding in them, so I will just add pudding.. Rest looks so easy.. Love cake mixes with pudding added, as so moist. Use to only make everything from scratch when children young, but now that I am retired, and babysitting grandchildren, and doing all the socializing I never did before, this way is so good when rushed.. .thank you for this yummy looking recipe..
You’re very welcome Sue. We always want to have easy recipes on the website as well as recipes from scratch. Sometimes you just need to make something quick! Enjoy!
I like the frozen coconut and not the longer string kind. Would that work with this cake?
I have not tried it Shirley but see no reason why it wouldn’t work.
Some of you have mentioned using coconut milk. Are you using coconut milk from a can or from the dairy in a carton?
I used canned coconut milk,be sure to shake it up well as it separates,with real creamy section on top and the clear liquid on bottom if you don’t.
I love this recipe. Tired French Vanilla Cake Mix and it was a rich and moist. Thanks.
So glad you love it!
Wife just made me this cake for my 40th birthday. It tastes as good as it looks! No doubt about that.
Thank you Carlos!
This cake looks delicious!! I don’t buy cake mixes at the grocery store due to all the chemicals in it. I get my boxed cake mixes at a Whole Foods store,. however they don’t have it with pudding in the mix.. Is it ok to use a mix without it?
I have not tried it that way but I would think it would be ok Jean.
Yum looks delicious and I will make it!
I didn’t have a cake mix with pudding in it so I just added a box of instant pudding. Delish! This cake is so moist yet substantial. Does not taste like it came from a box.
Thank you so much Denise. So happy you enjoyed this recipe. Have a great weekend.
Jean, just add a box of instant vanilla pudding to the cake mix.
Made this today. Delicious. This one’s a keeper
This sounds like the “Secret Coconut Cake Mix” that I have been looking for, cannot wait to try it. Thanks for the info.
Can reduced fat sour cream, cream cheese, and milk be used in this recipe? Also, could “All White” egg whites be used?
I have only made the recipe the way it is, so I can’t advise any changes.
Do you think I could use cream cheese frosting in a can, and add a little c. Extract?
Yes, you could do that! Thanks!
I noticed it said just to spray the pan with cooking spray. You don’t have to flour the pan?
I never flour my baking pans anymore. I just use the cooking spray and it works wonderfully for me, Bonnie.
I am addicted to coconut so rest assured my next cake will be this one
Since it is a white cake, are you using the whole egg, or just the whites? Also, there is no butter in the frosting. Is that correct?
You use the whole egg. No butter in frosting. Recipe is correct as written.
adding whole eggs isn’t gonig turn the cake yellow?
Fay, did the cake turn out yellow? I would think so because using the whole egg.
Looks so good!!! I’m going to make this..
I made this cake recipe this am, didn’t want a 9×13 cake, so cut the recipe in half. I’ve done this with other recipes and all come out perfect. Just measure out half the cake mix, one less egg and half all other ingredients.
Would this work as cupcakes?
I would say you could make cupcakes out of this but I have not tried it, Rhonda. I don’t see any reason why not.
the cake box is 15.25 oz will it make a Difference cuz your recipe is calling for 18.somthing? oz.
the cake mix box has 15.25 oz and your calling for 18.25 oz will it make a Difference
I could only find a cake mix that is 15.25 oz and the recipe calls for 18 oz. I saw that someone else asked the same questions, but it was the only question not answered.
It should work ok, Jennifer.
If you make this the day before, should it be kept in the refrigerator until time to eat?
It should be ok for one day out of the refrigerator if you keep it in a cool place and not a hot room or something.
This was the easiest recipe to follow- pudding in the mix means pudding in the mix!!! Haha!! Some people. Anyway thanks for sharing.. This will be on my Christmas dessert table! So yummy!!
just made this tonight but only had a devils food cake…followed the rest of instructions…came out moist and fantastic!! It’s a keeper, thanks 🙂
I think any yellow cake recipe would work. I make all from scratch as well.
Would this recipe work in 8 in round cake pans
Yes, it could be done in round pans.
Can you please tell me what cake mix with pudding is? Is it like a mousse or what we call blancmange here in the UK?
It is just a cake mix that has dry pudding mix in the cake mix.
I put a box of instant pudding in every cake I make and add about 1/3 cup of water extra from what cake mix requires. Makes my cake real moist.
I made it and added the box of pudding, but not extra water! It fell! I’ll try adding the water next time, it was delicious though!
Made this for Thanksgiving & everyone loved it. I used a yellow cake mix instead of white and used coconut milk instead of regular. I was moist & delicious. Thanks for a wonderful recipe!!!
This wonderful with 1 cup of coconut milk in cake and rest in frosting. Add chopped pecans for a fast Italian Cream Cake topped with coconut and pecans.
Trying this today. Thanks for the heads up adding pecans. My husband loves Italian Cream cake.
Everyone loved it @our Thanksgiving feast! I substituted vanilla extract for the coconut.
Could you use vanilla extract instead of coconut extract?
Yes, you could.
Is it okay to use sweetened FROZEN coconut, thawed of course??
I think that would work fine.
Could you use a yellow cake mix instead?
Yes, you could Mae.
Since most cake aren’t pudding cake mixes anymore, do you just add a box of vanilla pudding into the cake mix? Re: sour cream coconut cake…….
Yes, that should work Nancy, but I have no problem finding the pudding cake mixes here at Walmart or Kroger.
I love coconut and can’t wait to try this. Thanks
If I cann’ find a cake mix with the pudding in it, can I use a box of vanilla pudding instead?
Yes, that should work, Marie, but I have no problem finding the pudding cake mixes here at Kroger or Walmart.