Red Velvet Coconut Strawberry Cake

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🍰 Red Velvet Coconut Strawberry Cake

🛒 Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1 box Red Velvet cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: usually eggs, oil, and water) ➡️ Or your favorite homemade recipe!

  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup Strawberry jam or preserves 🍓

  • 2 tbsp Water

For the Topping:

  • 1 ½ cups Heavy whipping cream (cold)

  • ¼ cup Powdered sugar

  • 1 tsp Coconut extract

  • ½ cup Shredded sweetened coconut 🥥

  • Fresh strawberries for garnish

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Bake the Base ➡️ Preheat your oven according to the cake mix instructions. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Mix your red velvet batter, add the vanilla extract, and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.

  2. The “Poke” Stage ➡️ While the cake is still slightly warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a large fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake, spaced about an inch apart.

  3. Prepare the Filling ➡️ In a small bowl, microwave the strawberry jam and water for 20–30 seconds until fluid. Stir until smooth. 🥣

  4. Fill the Cake ➡️ Pour the warm strawberry mixture over the cake, ensuring it drips down into the holes. Let the cake cool completely. ❄️

  5. Make the Whipped Cream ➡️ In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and coconut extract until stiff peaks form.

  6. Assemble ➡️ Spread the whipped cream evenly over the cooled cake. Sprinkle the shredded coconut generously over the top. 🥥✨

  7. Final Flourish ➡️ Slice fresh strawberries and place them on each square before serving. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour for the best texture! 🍓🍰

❓ Common Questions & Answers

Q: Can I use cream cheese frosting instead of whipped cream? A: Absolutely! ➡️ Cream cheese frosting is a classic pairing for red velvet. Just fold in a little coconut milk or extract to keep that tropical flavor profile.

Q: How do I store leftovers? A: Because of the fresh fruit and whipped cream, this cake should be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 🧊

Q: My cake is too soggy—what happened? A: This usually happens if the cake hasn’t cooled enough before adding the topping, or if too much liquid was added to the jam. ➡️ Make sure the cake is room temperature before frosting!

Q: Can I make this ahead of time? A: Yes! ➡️ You can bake and “poke” the cake a day in advance. Add the whipped cream and fresh strawberries right before you plan to serve it to keep them looking fresh.

Enjoy your baking! 🍓🥥✨

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