This cake is delicious beyond belief.  I wanted to make it only because I had coconut oil and coconut flakes that I have been wondering what to do with.  I will be using it up making this dessert over and over.  We had friends stopping by after their play for dessert and red wine.   Make this cake and you will get rave reviews.  Serves 8 

Ingredients: 

¼ C unsalted butter, plus more (or baking Pam)

1 ½ C all-purpose flour

½ C unsweetened cocoa powder

1 t kosher slat

¾ t baking powder

½ C virgin coconut oil, room temperature (not sure what virgin is, in reference to oil)

1 ½ C plus 1 T sugar

3 large eggs

1 t vanilla extract

2/3 C buttermilk

¼ C unsweetened coconut flakes

Directions:

1.      Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  Butter (I use baking Pam) an 8” x 4” loaf pan; line with parchment paper, leaving a generous overhang on long sides. 

2.      Whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside.

3.      Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat oil, butter and 1 ½ C sugar until pale and fluffy, 7 minutes.

4.      Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions; beat until mixture is very light and doubled in volume, 8 minutes.  Add vanilla.   

5.      Reduce the mixer speed to low and add dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.  (Do not over mix; it will cause cake to buckle and split).

6.      Scrape batter into prepared pan and run a spatula through the center, creating a canal. 

7.      Sprinkle with coconut and remaining 1 T sugar. 

8.      Bake cake, tenting with foil if coconut browns too much before cake is done.  (it should be very dark and toasted), until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 70-80 minutes. 

9.      Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cake cool in pan 20 minutes before turning out. 

This cake from Bon Appétit, March, not only is delicious, but looks exactly like the photo on page 99.  We did takeout pizza from our local Italian restaurant and deli.  I have loved their food, but unfortunately, I learned that they make NY style pizza.  I am a Chicago style girl.