Coconut Sheet Cake

Published April 27, 2016. Updated March 5, 2025

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Coconut Sheet Cake is the softest, sweetest cake you’ll ever try. The subtle smoothness of the coconut flavor in a moist crumb sheet cake, topped with cool coconut frosting is fantastic. But topping it with raspberry (or your favorite fruit!) makes it the favorite dessert at the party. Try it for a Valentine’s Day treat or a summer potluck dessert!

Why do I keep making big cookie sheet pans full of cake to tempt me all day long?? It just seems right, that’s why. And still, I have plans to make more…because now that I’m suddenly obsessed with sheet cakes I need to try all the flavors! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always loved sheet cakes but I’m just now appreciating their simplicity. Mix it, spread it, bake it, frost it, boom done! They’re just easier than layer cakes, yet they can still be fancied up, they don’t need to just be your average potluck sheet cake.

Coconut Sheet Cake

Coconut Sheet Cake | Cooking Classy

I felt like coconut cake this time, so Coconut Sheet Cake it is! And this one most definitely does not disappoint! We were all trying to resist two slices but it’s just not possible with this cake, it’s just not! Don’t judge – you’ll see :). At least I waited a few hours to go back for more (as if that helps lol).

What I’m getting at is that you need to try this cake! If you like coconut, this is the cake for you, and once you try it you’ll want to make it for every get-together and special occasion that comes your way. It has a perfectly soft and moist crumb and you will be savoring every last bite of it. And don’t get me started on the coconut and fresh raspberry combo, this cake is just that much better when it’s topped with fresh raspberries! Then last but not least, I can’t forget to mention how much I love this Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting; it is one of the dreamiest things on the planet! It’s total bliss in frosting form.

Trust me—you’re not going to want a basic frosting or whipped cream. Add a sprinkle of flaked coconut and this is a tropical paradise. You can even try toasted coconut or topping with pineapple for a piña colada flavor that’s perfect for a luau party dessert.

Coconut Sheet Cake | Cooking Classy

Coconut Sheet Cake Ingredients

  • Flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Coconut milk
  • Sour cream
  • Vanilla extract
  • Coconut extract
  • Cream cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Shredded coconut
  • Raspberries

Coconut Sheet Cake | Cooking Classy

Sheet Cake Instructions

  1. Prepare your cake pan with cooking spray and preheat the oven.
  2. Combine your dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer or using a hand mixer, stir together your wet ingredients until smooth.
  4. Add dry ingredients in turns to create your cake batter.
  5. Pour into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick emerges clean.
  6. Whip together frosting ingredients while the cake cools and frost once room temperature.

Coconut Sheet Cake | Cooking Classy

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5 from 8 votes

Coconut Sheet Cake

This cake has become a staple recipe for me at least once every summer! It's perfectly soft, perfectly moist, it's brimming with sweet coconut flavor and it's sure to impress! After one bite you'll be smitten.
Servings: 20
Prep20 minutes
Cook25 minutes
Ready in: 45 minutes

Ingredients

Cake

Frosting and toppings

  • 1/2 cup (112g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz. (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 tsp coconut extract
  • 3 1/2 cups (420g) powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups (130g) shredded sweetened or unsweetened coconut
  • 12 oz. fresh raspberries

Instructions

  • For the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet (average size cookie sheet), dust with flour and shake out excess, set aside. 
  • In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment whip together butter and sugar until very pale and fluffy. Mix in eggs one at a time. 
  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together coconut milk, sour cream, coconut extract and vanilla extract until blended. 
  • Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter/egg mixture and mix on low speed just until combined, then add in 1/2 of the coconut milk mixture and mix just until combined, repeat with flour and coconut milk mixtures once more then end by mixing in last 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix just until combined. 
  • Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl with a spatula and fold several times to ensure everything is evenly combined. Pour batter into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. 
  • Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 23 - 28 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
  • For the frosting and toppings: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth. Add in cream cheese and mix until smooth.
  •  Mix in coconut extract and powdered sugar and whip until light and fluffy, about 1 - 2 minutes. Spread evenly over cooled cake then top with coconut and raspberries. 
  • Cut into squares. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator (once fully chilled let rest at room temp about 10 - 15 minutes before serving).
Nutrition Facts
Coconut Sheet Cake
Amount Per Serving
Calories 436 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 14g88%
Cholesterol 78mg26%
Sodium 149mg6%
Potassium 165mg5%
Carbohydrates 56g19%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 40g44%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 595IU12%
Vitamin C 4.7mg6%
Calcium 52mg5%
Iron 1.6mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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53 Comments

  • Jackie

    This recipe is outstanding. I followed the directions exactly as written and it came out perfectly. The cake itself was so light and fluffy. The frosting was the ideal amount of sweetness and coconut flavor (I used unsweetened shredded coconut). I will absolutely make this recipe again. Thanks!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      You’re welcome so glad enjoyed it! Thanks for your review!

  • Jane

    This was SO good! I do love coconut, but while I was making it, I just wasn’t sure how it would turn out. But, goodness, it was AMAZING! The can of coconut milk threw me for a loop because it was completely separated and looked like Crisco and slightly milky water, but it whisked together pretty easily. (This was my first endeavor with coconut milk!) The flavor of the cake is…magnificent. It’s so light, not super-coconutty and has a tiny bit of toasted flavor? Is that due to the coconut milk? Could you substitute buttermilk maybe for a vanilla sheet cake? So delicious – thank you for this wonderful recipe! My family loves it!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I was thinking of how to make a vanilla sheet cake as well, I would think whole milk with a little cream (to get that same fat ratio coconut milk has) would work well.

  • Sophie

    Thank you so much for this recipe! It’s so good and has amazing texture!

  • Suhaila

    Thanks for this recipe :) this cake was such a crowd-pleaser and I look forward to making it again!

    Sadly I couldn’t find coconut extract anywhere so I replaced it with coconut cream. Also used a standard round cake pan because it’s all I had, it took longer to bake but still worked.

  • Alicia.baking.therapy

    This recipe is a keeper! The cake was so delicious and moist that my son’s devoured it quickly. They’re not big fans of coconut but they absolutely love this cake! I garnished it with fresh raspberries and the presentation was stunning. Thank you for sharing this wonderful cake recipe.