No, I did not name this recipe. It’s an old Southern recipe that consists of moist yellow cake soaked in pineapple syrup, topped with whipped cream and coconut. I updated the recipe to include rum, and I used coconut oil because I think the extra coconut flavor makes this better than better than sex cake. If you're looking for a coconut oil to try, can I recommend Kelapo brand? They sent me the most lovely little jar of the stuff and I can't get enough. However, you may also make this cake with all butter, as it is simply my lemon layer cake recipe minus the lemon juice and zest.
I had a lot of fun searching through my old church cookbooks finding variations of this cake, all with more G-rated names. I found: Heavenly Delight, Pineapple Coconut Sin cake, Good (no, GREAT) Pineapple Cake, BTS cake (no explanation for the acronym), Special Pina Colada Cake, and Best Cake To Make. Feel free to use any of these alternate names when serving this cake, especially to in-laws.
Better Than Sex Cake
This pineapple and coconut cake is super tasty!
Ingredients
For the cake:
- ¼ cup solid coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ⅛ teaspoon rum (or almond) extract
- ¾ cup flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup buttermilk
For the topping & frosting:
- 8 oz. can of crushed pineapple (packed in 100% pineapple juice)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup sweetened flaked coconut
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon dark rum
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350 and grease a 6” round cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, beat together with an electric mixer the coconut oil, butter and sugar. Beat this mixture very well, until light and fluffy (1-2 minutes).
- Add the rum extract followed by the egg and beat another 10 seconds.
- Stir together the flour, salt and baking powder in a small bowl.
- Add half of the dry mixture to the coconut oil mixture, beat slightly before adding half of the buttermilk. Repeat with the remaining dry and wet ingredients.
- Pour the batter into the cake pan, smoothing the top before baking on a baking sheet for 30-35 minutes. Use a toothpick to ensure it's done, but do not overbake or the cake will dry out. Let the cake cool on a wire rack.
- About 10 minutes before the cake will be done, add the crushed pineapple and brown sugar to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let simmer until slightly thickened (1-2 minutes), then remove the pan from the heat to cool slightly.
- Once the cake has cooled for 5 minutes, poke holes all over the surface with a toothpick before slowly pouring the pineapple syrup on top. Let cool completely before making the frosting.
- While waiting for the cake to cool, toast the coconut in the oven or in a pan over low heat while stirring constantly. When the coconut is a light, toasty brown, remove it from heat—it will crisp as it cools.
- Once you're ready to serve the cake, beat together heavy whipping cream, rum and powdered sugar either by hand with a large whisk or with an electric mixer. Taste for sweetness and add more powdered sugar if desired. Frost the cake and sprinkle toasted coconut on top. Slice and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 609Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 174mgCarbohydrates: 73gFiber: 2gSugar: 53gProtein: 6g
Lindsey Walkemeyer says
Ok, I will have to try this! My husband and I are both in the military and stationed apart, since I won't be getting any the old fashioned way, this seems like the next best option :)
Donna says
BTS = Better Than Sex!
Callie says
BTS is "better than sex" acronym
Joan says
If I'm making a 9" cake should I tripple this recipe or just double?
Christina Lane says
I haven't tried tripling this recipe. All I do is bake for two people. Best of luck if you try it!
Ursula says
Hi! Having just bought a 6 inch pan :) I plan on making this today, Quick question tho...do I drain the crushed pineapple?
Christina Lane says
No, don't drain it, Ursula. It'll cook down. Thanks for writing :) Enjoy the cake! <3
Jessica says
I made this today - so delish! My son said, “there is WAY too much alcohol in here for an 8-year-old!” And my husband said, “I think I love it!” Yum!
Christina Lane says
That is totally something my daughter would say, lol! Thanks for sharing!
Silvana Valiani says
Hi, Did you use a 2 or 3 inch deep pan?
Christina Lane says
2 inch, always. I don't like 3" deep pans.