Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Lime Coconut Cake and a Giveaway!

lime coconut cake

My life has gotten crazy busy. Between my job at the farmers market, baking for the farmers market, the garden, the chickens, landscaping for my parent’s business, I haven’t had any time to bake what I wanted.

Which totally stinks because I have SO much stuff on my to-bake list. I’ve had to start scheduling my baking on a calendar. It’s crazy.

toasty coconut

But I do enjoy the being busy, I absolutely love my new job, it’s like a dream. The people are so sweet and it’s so great to have that sense of community.

lime coconut cake

So I’m happy, just busy. Today when I got home from work, I was sweaty, tired and unmotivated, but I wanted, needed to bake. I looked through the recipes I had printed off and bookmarked to see what would be the easiest and tastiest. I decided on this key lime coconut cake from smitten kitchen. I had all the ingredients, plus I really wanted to use my new microplane grater. Sad, but true. I LOVE this thing. It’s amazing. It zests so quickly and so completely. I’ll never go back to another grater/zester.

microplane zester

I love it so much I want to give you one! I’m giving away 1 microplane zester to a lucky commenter that I’ll choose randomly through random.org.

What to do to enter:
Enter once by leaving a comment on this post and a way to contact you if you don't have a blog.
Enter a second time by twittering about the giveaway to @honeyandjam AND leaving a ANOTHER comment on this post.
Enter another time by posting about this giveaway on your blog AND leaving ANOTHER comment on this post.

No entires after 10 pm EST this Saturday, June 20th.

I’ll select one winner through random.org next Sunday.

Anyway, back to the cake. It was DELICIOUS. Oh my word. One of the best things I’ve made in a while. So moist and fluffy and flavorful. You should definitely make it. And soon.

lime coconut cake

Key Lime Coconut Cake
Gourmet, March 2009 via Smitten Kitchen

I didn’t have key limes, so I used regular limes and they worked perfectly.
Serves 8.

1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon grated Key lime zest
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups self-rising flour (or just add 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt to all purpose.)
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup fresh Key lime juice, divided
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon rum (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Generously butter an 8- by 8-inch square or 9- by 2-inch round cake pan and line bottom with a round of parchment paper.

Toast coconut in a small baking pan in oven, stirring once or twice, until golden, 8 to 12 minutes. Cool. Leave oven on.

Beat together butter, granulated sugar, and zest with an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir together flour and 1/2 cup coconut (reserve remainder for topping). Stir together milk and 2 tablespoons lime juice. At low speed, mix flour and milk mixtures into egg mixture alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour.

Spoon batter into pan and smooth top. Bake until golden and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool to warm, then turn out of pan and discard parchment.

Whisk together confectioners sugar, remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice, and rum (if using, if not use milk) and pour over cake. Sprinkle with remaining coconut.

109 comments:

  1. Wow, this looks totally awesome! I love the combination of lime and coconut flavors (and I agree--those microplane-type grates are the absolute best!!).

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  2. I want a microplane so bad... never have owned one!! Please pick me!!

    How can you make all that food look so yummy on the screen..?

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  3. I'll definitely be making this soon. I love anything with coconut!!

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  4. The recipe looks great! I can't wait to try it! Of course, winning a microplane zester would definitely help me make it!

    e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  5. That cake looks so good . . . and I love the new photos in your shop.

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  6. looks so good, I love lime! I totally need a new microplane...mine is old and rusted!
    Abby
    jhopfauf@hotmail.com

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  7. That cake looks so delicious! I would definitely like a slice of that lol.

    angelilee91@gmail dot com

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  8. cocoonutt!
    looks yumlicious.
    microplane = grater? i want one!

    email:
    shino-mooformeplx@hotmail.com

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  9. Hi.I think it's my first time here. I love your header and this cake is mouthwatering.

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  10. Love your blog. I always stop by to enjoy your photos and to gather a little inspiration to get back in the kitchen.

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  11. this cake is beautiful! i might try making it vegan with coconut milk.

    i'd LOVE a microplane to make it easier :)

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  12. susan.alyssa.fox@gmail.com
    Love your website, and would love that zester!

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  13. Hi! I like your blog...I found it when delicious posted that zucchini bread!

    I made this cake for my boyfriend for his birthday! i made some changes to it like putting lime curd in the middle and a coconut icing on the top...it was so good! There are some pics of it here: http://littlejourney.org/a/?p=664

    I want to enter your giveaway but I live in Hong Kong!

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  14. Mmm that cake looks amazing! I need to try making that. Delicious. I would love the zester also. Thanks so much!

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

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  15. Ok I regularly use a grater but have been dying to try a microplane...pick me! :-D

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  16. Meeee. I want one o'them newfangled things so badly!

    Also your photography just gets better and better.

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  17. try the cake with pineapple that has been finely chopped and squeezed very dry for the ultimate boost!

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  18. That cake is beautiful!! All the toasted coconut!!

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  19. That cake looks delicious! I miss having key limes around after growing up in Florida!

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  20. I love coconut. I love lime. I bet the two together would be divine.

    Hey, I rhymed.

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  21. This cake looks delicious!
    I absolutely adore cakes that are made using fruit - that microplane zester would be handy indeed!

    Nadia
    nadia.deluce@yahoo.it

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  22. Oh I think I need to make this for Father's Day- yes I do.

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  23. Mmmm! Lime and Coconuts. Sounds like a perfect combo.

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  24. Oooh I have to make this soon! :) I love anything w/ coconut. Sounds like the perfect summer cake.

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  25. Totally awesome, and wonderful combination of flavors, rock!!!

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  26. Such a summery combination. now that makes me crazy happy!

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  27. I've made this cake too and it was amazing!

    coffeebucks.ebay@gmail.com

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  28. What a coincidence! I was just thinking about coconut tart but a coconut and lime cake sounds even better - a great recipe and I wish I was having a slice now with a cuppa!

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  29. This cake looks great! I'm a sucker for anything coconut!

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  30. yum. it's too bad that i'm the only one who likes lime and coconut! it looks delicious!!!

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  31. So glad you are enjoying your job and keeping busy. You are a great example to other young people of hard work. Oh, and your cake looks awesome!

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  32. I've made this cake and it was so good! Yours looks fantastic! Great giveaway too!!

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  33. It looks delicious.Love coconut too.

    F117F4(at)comcast(dot)net

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  34. Hi Hannah,
    That is so cool about your job at the Farmer's market. I know what you mean about community. I grew up in a small town, and we had a farmer's market every saturday, and it was awesome to see friends and just hang out! :)

    I love your photography! I think it's more beautiful with the fresh fruit and spring flowers! Great job! I love your blog, it's great! :)

    -Joanna

    jesmith1702 (at symbol) gmail (dot) com

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  35. I love my Mom's microplane! I've never seen one with a *red* handle. I love it!

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  36. Microplane graters are fantastic! Great invention...Your cake looks so good. Love lime and coconut..delicious!

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  37. this cake looks awesome! one of my favorite flavor combos. and i'd love to have that microplane!

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  38. Hey you and I share the same passions...Jesus and food! This looks great, I'll be making it soon.

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  39. Yay! I'd love a zester!

    h-angulo@hotmail.com

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  40. YAY fabulous-looking cake. Key Limes and Coconut.. if that doesn't say "tropical paradise beach vacation", I don't know what does!!!

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  41. Could there *be* a more tropical flavored cake?!?
    Yum! I'll be trying it soon!
    Thanks
    tlstickland[at]netscape[dot]net

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  42. Not so great about not having time to bake at home, but at least your job is pretty cool. I love our local farmer's market but it is only open on Saturdays.

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  43. Hey Hannah,
    I love your site, it's in my favorites!!
    Angela Brown
    hockeyfan21@juno(dot)com
    Thanks!!!

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  44. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  45. Great toasted Coconut pics! Copying down this recipe!
    captaintodd at gmail dot com

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  46. Blog is up for your drawing.

    http://themagicalmundane.blogspot.com/

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  47. ooooohhhh, how i need one of these! so bad! i hope random.org loves me.

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  48. That cake looks delicious. I don't think I've ever tried baking with lime, but I like just about anything involving coconut.

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  49. I would love a microplane!!!

    myskiesaregrey@hotmail.com

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  50. Ooh, ooh, pick me! =D


    olson_maryellen@yahoo.com

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  51. Yummy!!
    And I have been wanting a microplane grater for a while now. :)

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  52. So many readers, only one microplane. I enjoy your blog and your photos! Thank you!

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  53. that cake looks delicious! lime and coconut is always a great combo.

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  54. Oh, awesome! I want one of those to disfigure my brother with! (No, not really.(But I do want one.).)

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  55. That cake looks awesome! I love lime and coconut together. I've never tried a microplane grater, but my sister absolutely loves hers.

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  56. looks great. love your photos!

    outdoorminer@rocketmail.com

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  57. I never used to like coconut until my mom started making coconut cakes, and I have to say I ADORE it now. SO yummy, I may have to make this cake for the Father's Day BBQ I'm attending soon.

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  58. I also Tweeted! http://twitter.com/JessicaKS

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  59. ...and posted on my blog!

    http://jessicasnotebook.blogspot.com/2009/06/when-we-go-strawberry-picking-i-take.html

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  60. Hi Hannah

    I'm too far away in Australia for you to send me a microplane but I wanted to comment and say I love your blog, your recipes and photography. Well done, girl!

    Cheers - Joolz

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  61. I have been drooling over microplane graters from my male friends knife catalog for years!Your photography is WOW (first visit here). As computer challenged as I am, I hope I manage to post this. Share your passions,&3X your years.

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  62. Oh my goodness, I would LOVE to win this!! What a great giveaway!

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  63. This looks so delicious! I would love love to win the microplane zester!

    pinkrasberry@hotmail.com

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  64. Hey, I just discovered your blog today via The Kitchen Sink, and it looks wonderful! I'm thinking about making this cake this weekend for my boyfriend, who LOVES key lime pie. I never use key limes, either, they're just too tiny to work with. Anyway, just wanted to tell you your page looks fantastic!

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  65. I've been wanting a Microplane for ages now... I'm jealous. :)
    ~Amy (amytug77@yahoo.com)

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  66. I wish this cake was in my mouth right now. Ps. I admire your many talents and skills.

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  67. this cake looks delicious! I just found your blog through your apricot crisp recipe (delish!) and would love to own a microplane :)

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  68. I love that this is the first post of yours that I've read. I made this cake for my husband's birthday last week and we loved every bite. It kept so well for a few days and stayed moist without getting nasty!

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  69. Very cool...I'm glad Brandi sent me here...Would love to have one of these!

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  70. I have been wanting a microplane SOOOOO badly! It's that simple kitchen utensil I haven't bought, that seems essential for anyone who likes to coo! I will cross my fingers on the random website; hoping it favors me in my desperate state!!

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  71. Oh I loved this recipe the minute I saw it in Gourmet. Just haven't come around to baking it. This is an excellent reminder that I must!

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  72. I just discovered your blog in a link from the kitchen sink - it's great and I'm glad I found you! Now onto trying some of these delicious recipes you've posted...

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  73. Hmmm I think I might actually need and not want a micro plan.... lol

    Cake looks delicious ! My dad doesn't not like coconut so I will have to make this sometime when he is not here. :)

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  74. i'm making your cinnamon bread tomorrow!
    oh and a zester, need need need one.


    katherine.jorgenson@gmail.com

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  75. Mmm I love coconut and lime together! PS: Microplanes are AWESOME! I use mine all the time! :D

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  76. Didn't make the giveaway, but I need to make this cake, it sounds wonderful.

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  77. Looks and sounds really good. I have limes (no key ones) that need a home in something. Now that I think of it I have some shredded coconut that needs to go as well.

    Sure wish I could say I was busy and happy. Work for me is no longer a happy place! :(
    ~ingrid

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  78. I love to make baked goods with lime zest- the flavor is so exceptional! But I have always used my grater, and that just doesn't cut it! Thanks for the chance to finally have my own microplane zester!

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  79. Oh darlin' I am so need of a microplane! I've never owned one. I use this tiny grater hand held grater where more zest and everything gets stuck up in it - such a waste ;@) Thanks for such a lovely giveaway and good luck to all!
    I'm tweeting and stumbling your recipe.

    @SeasLife on Twitter

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  80. Baking and photography! My two favorite things!! Glad to find your blog:)

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  83. Really you have done great job,There are may person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post.I like this blog..

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  84. I just made this cake. The cake was very moist and had a nice subtle flavor. The coconut glaze really made the cake for me. It gave it that extra bit of sweetness and a nice crunch! Thanks for the recipe! Your blog is beautiful!

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  85. Normally I baked cake like this, but I like the way you do it. I like your ingredients too.
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