Today is April 1st which marks my brother in law’s 6 month death anniversary. I wish that were an April Fool’s joke.
My sister and the kids are in town so I’m glad at the very least the family is together on this difficult day. 
It’s strange to think how things can change so drastically in merely one year. 
I mean, just a year ago today everything was perfectly fine, my brother in law was healthy and well, and the entire family visited NJ around the same time last year. 
A month later (May 2012) my brother in law was still perfectly fine, and my sister and him took a week long vacation as a couple. Who knew that would be their very last vacation together!
No one would have predicted he wouldn’t be around 6 months later, and now 1 year later.
We are all so quick to assume that death only comes to the elderly, but the truth is, it could happen to anyone at any time at any age. 
That’s something I don’t take lightly anymore, I had my aha moment about 6 months ago. In other words, it is so important to cherish what you have now at this very moment, that is your health, and the well being of your loved ones. 
It’s so important to just GET THAT and enjoy the present because it truly is a gift in every sense of the word.
To honor my brother in law’s memory, I made this Triple Coconut Cake for the family, especially my sister and the kids, to enjoy this past weekend.
I know he was with us in spirit, and I know for sure he would have loved this cake because he loved coconut.
On this April 1st, I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer, but I just had to share how I was feeling. I promise to bring back the “happy Nisha” another day. Enjoy!
NUTRITION: Coconut is low in cholesterol and sodium, and it is a good source of fiber. Although coconut contains high amounts of saturated fats, not all saturated fats pose as a health problem, especially those linked with coconut. Coconut Oil contains lauric acid which helps in increasing good HDL cholesterol. Coconut Oil is also beneficial in weight loss by controlling the blood sugar levels. The saturated fats in coconut oil are not as harmful as the saturated fats seen in vegetable oil. With that said, coconut is a saturated fat and should be eaten in moderation. Additionally, this recipe incorporates whole wheat pastry flour which is a good source of protein and fiber.
APPROXIMATE NUTRITION PER SERVING w/FROSTING (yields 16 slices):
- Calories: 235 cals
- Fat: 15.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Carbs: 23 g
- Protein: 2.8 g
- Fiber: 1.4 g
TRIPLE COCONUT CAKE w/COCONUT CREAM CHEESE FROSTING (mostly adapted by Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body)
~ yields 16 slices @ 375 degrees using a round 9" baking tray
INGREDIENTS:
for the cake:
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – ¾ cup
- All Purpose White Flour – ¾ cup
- Baking Powder – 2 teaspoon
- salt – ¼ teaspoon
- Let’s Do Organic’s Unsweetened Shredded Coconut – ½ cup
- Trader Joe’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil – ½ cup (melted & cooled)
- Whole Foods Organic Light Coconut Milk – 1 cup
- Pure Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon
- Organic Egg – 1
- Sugar in the Raw’s Granulated Brown Sugar – ⅓ cup
for the coconut cream cheese frosting:
- Neufchatel Cream Cheese – 5 ounces (or you can use ⅓ less fat cream cheese)
- Unsalted Butter – 3 tablespoon
- Pure Vanilla Extract – ½ teaspoon
- Let’s Do Organic’s Unsweetened Shredded Coconut – ¼ cup
- Milk 2% Reduced Fat – 1 tablespoon
for garnish:
- Let’s Do Organic’s Unsweetened Shredded Coconut – ½ cup (toasted)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 
2. Start by combining the dry ingredients in a small mixing bowl… whole wheat pastry flour, white flour, baking powder, salt, and ½ cup coconut. Mix and set aside.
3. Combine the wet ingredients… coconut oil, light coconut milk, vanilla extract, egg, and brown sugar. 
4. Blend until all the ingredients are well combined.
5. Now add the dry ingredients to the wet in 2 batches.
6. Blend on low speed until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
7. This is your batter.
8. Pour the batter into a greased round baking pan.
9. Into the oven for 30 minutes. Note – oven temperatures may vary.
10. This is what you should have.
11. Blend the cream cheese and butter.
12. Add the confectioners sugar and milk.
13. Blend. 
14. Add a ¼ cup of coconut. Mix and set aside.
15. Toast ½ a cup of coconut on medium heat. 
16. Once the coconut is golden brown, turn off the stove.
17. Once the cake cools completed, frost the cake.
18. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes. 
OVERALL RATING: 4.5 / 5
Every single person enjoyed this cake... the kids, the adults, hence this cake is a winner. The cake itself is not very sweet and everyone preferred it that way, however combined with the frosting this cake was perfect. The only issue I had with this cake was it didn't taste super moist given the amount of coconut oil used and saturated fat in coconut. I was rather surprised. For additional moisture, I would experiment with adding some greek yogurt or extra coconut milk. Having said that, the cake as a whole was moist, but not as moist as I had expected. The flavor is amazing. And it tastes best about an hour after frosting it.
TELL ME: What are your thoughts on Coconut Oil? Are you okay with the high amount of saturated fat in each serving of Coconut Oil? Do you think Coconut Oil does more harm than good? Thoughts? Would love to hear!
Khushboo says
Thinking of you & your family Nisha! At this point, all you can do is cherish the memories and honor your brother-in-law, which you clearly are :)!
I love all-things coconut so I know I'd love this cake. I'm okay with the saturated fat content as I don't eat coconut all the time and our bodies need small amounts of saturated fat. I'm sure you'll agree that coconuts are a healthier way to consume saturated fats than packaged foods :)!
Parita says
My thoughts are with your sister and your entire family, N! I'm glad you celebrate and honor your brother-in-law's life every chance you get. I'm 100% sure he's smiling down on all of you!
And the non-baker in me definitely wants to try this soon! Delicious!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
This cake looks divine!!! Yum
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I pray that you all find some solace soon. Hugs.
Monet says
Sending you extra love and hugs. We lost my sister and her family two years ago, so I know the pain you are going through. I hope you are able to smile today...despite the sadness. Hugs and love.
Lauren says
Hi Nisha,
Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law, but glad you were able to bake something beautiful and tasty-looking in his memory.
Dixya says
my prayers goes out to you and the family..lately I have had some devastating news in the family and I have learned to cherish everything because you never know....
on a different note, I am glad the came turned out very well and you all were able to enjoy something in the memory of your brother in law
honeywhatscooking says
@Dixya - I'm so sorry about what you are going through, it's NEVER easy. Just have to cherish every moment, even when I'm not happy, I'm happy as weird as that sounds. It takes a lot to get me down these days. The cake turned out awesome, hope you try it. 😉
honeywhatscooking says
@Lauren - Thanks.. really appreciate your kind words.
honeywhatscooking says
@Monet - wow.. your sister and her family? That is terrible.. I'm so sorry too. Death is more common than I thought amongst the young folks. So sad. We are all able to smile, but no one can forget either. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@Kiran - thanks for your kind words.
honeywhatscooking says
@Parita - thank you P. Really appreciate it.. I think you're right. I hope you try this, it is right up your alley with being kinda healthy with the coconut oil and all. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@Khushboo - Thank you for the nice words. Yes.. coconut is definitely healthier than all the packaged crap, totally agree. It's going to be a once in a while thing for me, but when I bake, it's definitely a better alternative to using butter, but nothing can beat the taste of butter. 🙂
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's hard to make sense of such tragedy and I think over time it gets easier, but it's never something you entirely heal from. I'm glad you were able to be there for your sister and her children this week.
Guru Uru says
I am so sorry my friend, time numbs pain rather than removes it but it takes time. A beautiful cake and lucky you spent it with your family!
Hugs
Uru
honeywhatscooking says
@Kiersten - You are right, it is hard to make sense of it, it was pretty senseless. I don't think the immediate family ever heals from something like that, however I do believe time heals to some extent. Thank you!
honeywhatscooking says
@Guru - Thanks for your kind words, and hope you are right. 🙂
Jess | the Jess Journals says
I'm sorry for your loss!
That cake looks amazing. I need to try it at some point!
Natalie G says
Very sorry to hear about your loss 🙁
Coconut is definitely my favourite and this cake looks like it is just FULL of coconut flavor, I would love to make this!
diaryofanindianmum says
So sorry for your loss Nisha, cherish the great memories you have of him and be there for your sister. I am sure that's what your brother in law would want...
On another not the cake looks delicious! I read somewhere that to make the cake moist you should use condensed milk.
Sapana Behl says
I am sorry for your loss!
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Thanks
Regards
Sapana
Amanda Ellis says
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honeywhatscooking says
@Jess - thank you. I think you'll like it since you and Lauren are both pretty health conscious. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@Natalie - the cake definitely is loaded with coconut, once in a while, it doesn't hurt. Thanks girl!
honeywhatscooking says
@Sapana - thank you for your kind words.. I'll check your site out.
honeywhatscooking says
@diaryofanindianmum - You are right, that's what he would have wanted for us to spend time with them. Condensed Milk tastes amazinggggg... and I've baked with it too (check under Dessert Recipes) and it is outrageously delicious. OMG!!! THey should make Coconut Condensed Milk... that's a real killer. haha.
Nina says
Sorry for your loss Nisha. I know it must be very hard on you and family. My thoughts are with you....take care. Its very sweet of you to actually honor him and bake something for him.
The cake actually looks super moist to me. As soon as I saw the first picture, thats what came into my mind. I have never used coconut oil in baking except for once while making granolas. My husband loves coconut in desserts, this recipe is a keeper. I love the ingredient used ...the wheat flour, low fat coconut milk and just an egg makes it - not too fat cake:)Bookmarking it!
Tertúlia da Susy says
Que delicia de bolo, adorei. Deve ter ficado bem fofinho 🙂
http://tertuliadasusy.blogspot.pt/p/e-um-projeto-qu-e-pretende-difundir.html
Eat Good 4 Life says
Wow, difficult to say the least. Sorry, I really don't know what to say. Family is of most importance in times of grief so I am glad you were all together. On another note, this cake look out of this world. I love the fact that the frosting is mainly cream cheese. It really looks divine.
honeywhatscooking says
@EatGood4Life - thanks Miryam. I agree. The cream cheese frosting was yummy, but it was hard to resist adding butter. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@Nina - thank you for your thoughtful words. The cake does look moist, but I think it lacks moisture as time goes on. It still tastes amazing. I don't know about "not too fat cake".. lol.. but let's just say it's all good fats! 🙂
Laura Dembowski says
The great part of having a blog is being to write about what's on you mind. Sometimes it's happy, sometimes it's not - just like life.
I love that you lightened up coconut cake, which is also one of my favorite treats.
honeywhatscooking says
Thanks Laura. Yup, life isn't always peachy. Glad you like this cake.
Becky S. says
I just found your blog through a link from Eat Good 4 Life, who shared your Rotini with creamy mushroom sauce recipe.
This coconut cake will be perfect for my husband, who loves desserts and coconut equally! I'll be making this tomorrow.
My condolences to you on your loss. April 1 is bittersweet for our family, too. It is my brother's birthday, and my mother's death day. As I get older, I have come to realize that death is an inevitable part of life, and while it can be sometimes almost unbearable for those who have lost a loved one, it is only a parting for a short time. Blessings to you and your family.
honeywhatscooking says
Becky - Can't wait to hear how this cake turned out for you. I appreciate your kind words. I'm sorry about your mom's loss. Yup, death is an inevitable part of life, but unfortunately it hits some earlier than others and the partition may be longer than one expected.