Introduction: Not a Trace (Leave-No-Trace) Coconut Cake

By Garrett Groves Photographer
About: I am from the land of Louisville, Kentucky locked in a tower high above the clouds! When I'm not in school, I am always creating something. It's just me! I don't do things the "recommended" way. I just get out…


Once again i have returned with one of my recipes from Boy Scouts. This cake never lasts 15 minutes after it is made! So lets begin!

P.S. This was the last picture I got of the cake as by the time i could get a picture of the finished cake it was all gone! :)

Step 1: Things Needed:


Here is the list of supplies:

Nonstick vegetable spray

1 (16-ounce) container of vanilla frosting

1 (14-ounce) bag shredded coconut

1 (18¼-ounce) box of white cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water per cake mix directions)

1 (12-ounce) can Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut (CREAM!!!!! not milk) (found near the piña colada drink mixes at the grocer)

1 (16-ounce) container of sour cream

1 (16-ounce) container whipped topping (Cool Whip)

1 (12-inch) Dutch oven

Heavy-duty aluminum foil or Dutch oven liners

And a medium-size mixing bowl

Charcoal briquettes

a chimney starter

(If you want to do it with a Dutch oven in a regular oven  preheat it to 350° F and omit the charcoal and chimney starter)

(You can also try it in a cake pan following the instructions i will give for the people who are going to use their Dutch ovens in the regular oven. Please let me know how it goes as I have never tested this method out! P.S. onil foil and/or liners for cake pan and just use nonstick spray)

Step 2: Prepare Dutch Oven

Line dutch oven with foil or liner. Spray with nonstick spray. If you are using charcoal start them now they will be done in time. If you are using an oven, preheat to 350° F.

Step 3: Prepare Ingredients

Melt frosting by placing container in warm water. Once melted, pour into bottom of Dutch oven (or cake pan), spreading evenly over the bottom. Thinly cover frosting with some (not all!) coconut.

Follow directions on cake mix box to prepare the batter (can be done in bowl or bag). Pour batter over frosting and coconut.

Step 4: Bake!

Bake using 5 coals under oven, lining the rim of the lid with 18 coals with another two in the center of the lid. If you are using an oven put cake in with lid off. Check cake after 30 minutes (oven users check after 20 minutes), but continue cooking if necessary until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Note that the batter will bake, but coconut and frosting should remain liquefied at bottom.

Step 5: Here Comes the Coco Lopez!


Step 6: Finishing Touches


In medium bowl, mix whipped topping and sour cream together with MOST of the remaining coconut. Cover cake with whipped topping mixture and sprinkle with remaining coconut. Serve warm with milk! Enjoy! :)