If you've ever dreamed of a dessert that feels like biting into a tropical breeze, the Coconut Cloud Cake is your wish come true. This irresistible treat combines fluffy texture with the rich, natural essence of coconut—creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience like no other.

What sets this Coconut Cloud Cake apart isn’t just its lightness—it's the way each bite captures pure coconut flavor without being overly sweet. The balance is perfection, letting the coconut take center stage in a way that feels both refreshing and indulgent.

Baked and tested by dessert lovers who know the difference between “just okay” and unforgettable, this Coconut Cloud Cake delivers on every front. Whether you're hosting a spring brunch or just craving a feel-good slice of paradise, this cake rises to the occasion—literally.

Made with real coconut milk, tender cake layers, and a cloud-like whipped topping, this Coconut Cloud Cake is more than a recipe—it’s a showstopper that has friends and family begging for seconds.

Fluffy homemade coconut cloud cake with whipped cream frosting

Why This Coconut Cloud Cake Stands Out

This isn’t just another coconut cake recipe—it’s a Coconut Cloud Cake designed to impress. While traditional coconut cakes can feel dense or overly sweet, this version focuses on achieving an ultra-light, cloud-like texture that sets it apart from the rest.

What makes this Coconut Cloud Cake truly special is its carefully tested formula. After dozens of tweaks and trials, this recipe hits the perfect balance between moist and fluffy. It’s a game-changer for anyone who loves coconut but craves a lighter bite.

The coconut flavor shines through in three irresistible ways: rich coconut milk in the batter, soft shredded coconut layered between the cakes, and a velvety whipped coconut frosting on top. This triple-coconut combo ensures that the Coconut Cloud Cake lives up to its name—flavorful yet airy, never heavy.

Pair this dreamy Coconut Cloud Cake with fresh summer berries, a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, or enjoy it simply with a warm cup of coffee or tea. However you serve it, this cake is guaranteed to turn heads and win hearts.

Jump to:

Ingredients
Instructions
Equipment For Coconut Cloud Cake Recipe
Recipe Variations
Storage
My Grandmother’s Secret Touch
FAQ
A Slice of Heaven You’ll Keep Coming Back To
Related
Pairing

Ingredients

For the Cake Layers:

Cake flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Egg whites
Vanilla extract
Coconut extract
Coconut milk
Sweetened shredded coconut

For the Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting:

Heavy whipping cream
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Coconut extract
Cream of coconut

For Decoration:

Sweetened shredded coconut
Optional: edible flowers or fresh berries

Measured ingredients for coconut cloud cake on white counter

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare and Bake the Cake

Preheat your oven and prepare your pans. Bring ingredients to room temperature.
Mix dry ingredients in one bowl. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar, add egg whites and flavorings, then combine with dry ingredients and coconut milk.
Pour batter into pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, then let cool completely.

Make the Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting

Chill your bowl and beaters in the freezer before whipping the cream.
Beat the cold heavy cream until it begins to thicken, then add sugar and flavorings.
Continue beating until stiff peaks form, being careful not to overbeat.

Assemble and Decorate

Stack cake layers with frosting between them.
Cover the entire cake with remaining frosting.
Press shredded coconut onto the sides and top, adding optional toasted coconut or garnishes if desired.

Batter being poured into cake pans on a white kitchen counter

Bake the Cake: Mix ingredients and bake the coconut cake layers.

Whipped coconut cream in a mixing bowl with beaters nearby

Whip the Frosting: Whip cold heavy cream with coconut until stiff.

Coconut cake being frosted and topped with shredded coconut

Assemble & Decorate: Frost the cake and finish with coconut and garnish.

Equipment For Coconut Cloud Cake Recipe

Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Crucial for properly creaming butter and sugar and whipping the frosting to the perfect consistency
9-inch Round Cake Pans: Light-colored aluminum pans provide the most even baking
Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes removal from pans easier
Offset Spatula: Makes frosting the cake much easier and gives you smoother results
Cake Turntable: Not essential but makes decorating much simpler if you have one
Budget-Friendly Alternative: If you don't have round cake pans, this recipe works in a 9×13 inch pan as a sheet cake

Hints & Expert Cooking Tips

Separate Eggs When Cold: Separate your eggs straight from the refrigerator as they're easier to handle when cold, but let the whites come to room temperature before beating.
Cake Flour Secret: Don't have cake flour? Make your own by replacing 2 tablespoons of each cup of all-purpose flour with cornstarch. Sift them together 4-5 times to properly distribute.
Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything mix together more evenly, creating a smoother batter and ultimately a more uniform texture in your cake.
Gentle Folding: When adding the shredded coconut to the batter, use a light hand and fold with a rubber spatula rather than beating with the mixer to maintain the batter's airiness.
Prevent Dome-Shaped Cakes: For perfectly flat cake layers, wrap wet cake strips around your pans before baking, or reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and bake a few minutes longer.

Recipe Variations

Make It Keto-Friendly

Replace the cake flour with almond flour and coconut flour (3:1 ratio)
Use a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit instead of sugar
Ensure your shredded coconut is unsweetened

Gluten-Free Version

Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Add an extra egg white for better structure
Make sure all other ingredients (baking powder, extracts) are certified gluten-free

Creative Flavor Twists

Coconut Lime Cloud Cake: Add 1 tablespoon of lime zest to the batter and a squeeze of lime juice to the frosting
Coconut Pineapple Cloud Cake: Add ½ cup well-drained crushed pineapple to the batter
Chocolate Coconut Cloud Cake: Replace ¼ cup of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder

Portion Alternatives

Coconut Cloud Cupcakes: Follow the same recipe but divide into cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes
Coconut Sheet Cake: Pour batter into a 9×13 inch pan and bake for 30-35 minutes

Storage

Fridge Storage

This coconut cloud cake will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Store in a cake keeper or cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent the frosting from sticking
Let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor

Freezing Instructions

You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 2 months
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting
The completed frosted cake can be frozen for up to 1 month if wrapped carefully, though the texture of the frosting may change slightly upon thawing

Make-Ahead Components

Bake the cake layers up to 2 days ahead and store wrapped at room temperature
The whipped cream frosting is best made fresh, but you can prepare it up to 4 hours ahead and keep refrigerated

My Grandmother’s Secret Touch

There was always something magical about the way my grandmother baked—no shortcuts, just quiet wisdom passed through generations. Her secret for the softest, most cloud-like cakes? Gently folding freshly whipped cream into the batter. For our beloved Coconut Cloud Cake, this touch makes all the difference. Before sweetening or flavoring the cream, she’d fold in just ½ cup, using the lightest hand, whispering, “Treat it like air.” That simple moment adds a bakery-quality lift—turning an ordinary coconut cake into something unforgettable. It’s a little secret I still use today, and every time I do, it feels like she’s right there in the kitchen with me.

FAQ

What is a coconut cloud cake?

A coconut cloud cake is a light, airy dessert featuring coconut flavor in multiple forms. It typically has moist vanilla cake layers infused with coconut milk, filled and frosted with fluffy whipped coconut cream, and coated with shredded coconut. This tropical treat gets its "cloud" name from its exceptionally soft, pillowy texture that melts in your mouth, creating a heavenly eating experience.

What is cloud cake made of?

Cloud cake is made of separated egg whites whipped to stiff peaks, giving it its signature light, airy texture. Traditional cloud cakes use cake flour, sugar, and flavorings like vanilla. Coconut cloud cake specifically incorporates coconut milk, coconut extract, and shredded coconut. The frosting typically features whipped cream with coconut flavoring. This method creates a dessert with an incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth consistency unlike denser traditional cakes.

Where does Tom Cruise get his coconut cake?

Tom Cruise reportedly gets his famous coconut cake from Doan's Bakery in Woodland Hills, California. This "White Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake" has become his signature gift to friends and colleagues in Hollywood. Cruise sends this cake as a holiday tradition, with recipients including celebrities like Kirsten Dunst and Jimmy Fallon. The cake has gained such popularity that it's sometimes referred to as the "Tom Cruise Cake."

Does Pepperidge Farm still make a coconut cake?

Pepperidge Farm no longer produces their once-popular coconut cake. The company discontinued this product several years ago, along with several other classic cake varieties in their lineup. Many customers have expressed disappointment over this decision, as it was known for its moist texture and authentic coconut flavor. Those seeking similar store-bought options might consider coconut cakes from bakery sections of grocery stores or specialty bakeries.

A Slice of Heaven You’ll Keep Coming Back To

The Coconut Cloud Cake Recipe isn’t just a dessert—it’s a moment of joy on a plate. With its cloud-like texture, triple-layered coconut flavor, and stunning presentation, it brings a little magic to any table. Whether you're baking it for a birthday, a summer brunch, or simply to treat yourself, this cake strikes the perfect balance of indulgent and airy—you might just find yourself going back for that second (or third!) slice.

If you loved this recipe, you’ll also enjoy exploring other reader favorites like the Best Tres Leches Cake Recipe, soaked in sweet, creamy goodness, or the Homemade Mille Crepe Cake Recipe, with its delicate, elegant layers. Each one is a celebration of texture and flavor—just like this Coconut Cloud Cake.

I’d truly love to hear how your cake turns out! Did you stick to the original or add your own twist? Share your baking experience in the comments below, and please don’t forget to rate the recipe—it helps others discover it too.

Happy baking, and may every slice bring a little sunshine to your day.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these: