Coconut cake with a moist, tropical flavor is a festive Mexican dessert. This family-friendly treat is a sweet, fluffy, coconut-lover's celebration cake.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
Beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, stirring on low until just combined.
Gently fold in the shredded coconut using a spatula to maintain the batter’s airy texture.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake to preserve moistness.
Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.