Almond Joy Cake

Aug 06

The Recipe

Almond Joy Cake – chocolate almond cake layers with a coconut buttercream, toasted coconut and almond filling and chocolate ganache.

Almond Joy Cake

I’m so excited about this cake! But, I have to preface it by saying I’m actually not a huge fan of the candy bar, Almond Joy. It’s the coconut. I’ve never been a fan of raw coconut. Toasted coconut, on the other hand, is a whole different story. I can eat it by the handfuls!

So, when a few of my friends requested I come up with an Almond Joy cake, I was hesitant at first. I just wasn’t excited about a raw coconut filling, like the candy bar.

But lucky for us, my girlfriends were persistent and I eventually decided to add it to my list of cakes to make.

My Spin

As I thought about how I would put my own spin on this candy bar inspired cake, I knew I couldn’t use raw coconut. It had to be toasted coconut – which made me think of the coconut crack filling in my German Chocolate Cake, inspired by Milk Bar. Like this one, my German Chocolate Cake uses toasted coconut in the filling instead of raw coconut. I also decided to add some toasted almonds to the filling to give it some more texture and resemblance of an Almond Joy.

For the cake layers, you’ll see I use my go-to chocolate cake recipe and add a little almond extract. Feel free to add more extract if you like a stronger almond flavor. I use only two teaspoons for a subtle flavor, but I know some of you love almond extract and may want more. Make sure to taste test the batter along the way!

And instead of coating the cake in chocolate like the candy bar, I decided to use my coconut buttercream from my Coconut Key Lime Pie Cake. This frosting is out of this world! It’s so creamy and smooth, and the flavor is perfection.

Finishing Touches

To finish up the cake, I wanted to add a bit more chocolate in the cake. Within each layer, you’ll have some chocolate ganache, as well as a chocolate drip on top. I really like the balance of the not-so-sweet dark chocolate cake and ganache with the sweet and salty coconut almond filling and coconut buttercream.

I took one bite of this cake and about died! Honestly, I surprised myself with how much I like this coconut filled cake. Every bite is a little piece of heaven, if you ask me.

Here’s a quick stacking tutorial, with a fun little appearance by miss Avery. And, as always, instructions for assembly are in the recipe below.

 

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Almond Joy Cake

Rich chocolate almond cake layers with a coconut buttercream, toasted coconut and almond filling and chocolate ganache.

Course Dessert
Cuisine Cake
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 18 minutes
Author Courtney Rich

Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE

  • 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (375g)minus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup Cacao Barry Extra Brute Cocoa Powder or similar good quality dark chocolate powder
  • 2 teaspoons (8 g) baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon (3 g) baking powder
  • 1  teaspoon (5.6 g) salt
  • 3 large or extra large eggs room temperature
  • 1  cup  (240 g) buttermilk room temperature
  • 1  cup (236 g) hot water
  • 1/2 cup (109 g) vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons (8.4 g) almond extract

FOR THE BUTTERCREAM

  • 2 cups (452 g) unsalted butter slightly chilled
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) cream of coconut
  • 6 cups (750 g) confectioner's sugar sifted
  • 4 teaspoons (16.8 g) coconut emulsion
  • Pinch of salt
  • *This buttercream recipe makes enough to fill and cover your cake. If you want to add additional piping, you’ll want to make an extra 1/2 batch.

FOR THE TOASTED COCONUT AND ALMOND FILLING (adapted from Milk Bar)

  • 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 7 tablespoons  (96.25 g) light brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (16 g) milk powder
  • 1 teaspoon  kosher salt
  • 8 tablespoons (113 g) unsalted butter melted
  • 6 tablespoons (86.6 g) heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon  (2.1 g)vanilla extract
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 cup (75 g) toasted sweetened coconut 
  • 1 cup (150 g) toasted slivered or chopped almonds

FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE

  • 1 cup (150 g) dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) heavy whipping cream

FOR THE CHOCOLATE DRIP

  • 1/2 cup (75 g) chocolate ganache recipe above
  • 1/4-1/2 cup (57-115 g) heavy whipping cream
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

FOR THE CAKE

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare three 8” or four 6" round cake pans by spraying each with nonstick spraying, lining the bottom with parchment and spraying again. Set aside. 

  2. In a bowl of electric mixer, combine all the dry ingredients.
  3. Combine eggs, buttermilk, water, oil and almond extract in a measuring cup and lightly beat with a fork.

  4. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Batter will be thin. Scrape sides and mix for another 30 seconds. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans (I like to use a kitchen scale to ensure the batter is evenly distributed - you'll get about 15 to 16 ounces of batter in each of the 8-inch pans or 12 ounces in each of the 6 inch pans).

  5. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes (you may need more time depending on your oven), until toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs on it. Cool on wire racks for 10-15 minutes, then gently invert onto racks until cooled completely.
  6. When cakes are completely cooled, level them if needed.
  7. I like to wrap each cake layer individually with plastic wrap and stick it in the freezer until I’m ready to frost. The cake will be easier to work with if it’s cooled a bit. 

FOR THE BUTTERCREAM

  1. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the butter and coconut cream. Beat on medium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
  2. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, followed by the emulsion and salt.
  3. Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat the frosting until it is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Use a wooden spoon to stir out air bubbles.

FOR THE FILLING

  1. Set your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchement and pour the almonds on the sheet evenly. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the almonds are golden brown. Toss the nuts every 5 minutes.

  2. Set your oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and pour all of the coconut evenly onto the baking sheet. Bake the coconut for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and toss, and then toast for another 5 minutes, or until golden brown all over. Let cool completely.

  3. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9x13" with with nonstick spray. Set aside.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, brown sugar, milk powder, and salt. Mix on low speed until evenly blended.
  5. With the mixer on low speed, add the melted butter and stir for one minute until all the dry ingredients are wet.
  6. Add the heavy cream and vanilla and continue mixing on low speed for about one minute, until any of the white streaks from the cream have completely blended into the mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
  7. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg yolks, stirring them into the mixture until combined. Be careful not to over beat (aerate) the mixture, but certain the mixture is glossy and homogenous.
  8. Pour the filling into the prepared pan and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. You want the filling to be firmer and more set toward the outer edges of the baking pan but slightly jiggly and loose in the center. If the filling is still jiggly all over, give it another 2 to 3 minutes.
  9. Let the filling cool slightly and add the toasted coconut and toasted almonds. The filling can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

FOR THE GANACHE

  1. Heat the cream in a microwave safe bowl for about 1 minute. 
  2. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips. Let sit for about 5 minutes. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Let cool slightly before using in the cake. 

FOR THE DRIP

  1. Heat the remaining chocolate ganache for about 30 seconds. Add additional 1/4-1/2 cup heavy whipping cream to make the ganache thinner and easily pourable out of a drip bottle. 

ASSEMBLY

  1. On a cake board, spread a dollop of frosting to act as "glue" to the cake. Place the first cake layer, top side up, on the center of the cake board. You will have a little edge of the cake board showing around the cake.
  2. Spread about 3/4 cup of the coconut buttercream over the cake layer, followed by about 1 cup of the coconut and almond filling. Drizzle with chocolate ganache.
  3. Place the second cake layer, top side up, on the fillings and repeat step 2.
  4. Place the final cake layer, top side down, on the second layer of fillings. Apply a thin coat of coconut buttercream around the entire cake to lock in the crumbs. Place the cake in your freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to set the frosting.
  5. Remove the cake from the freezer and continue to frost the cake with the remainder of the frosting.
  6. If you want to pipe swirls or any decorate design on the cake, I suggest adding another quarter or half recipe of the coconut buttercream.
  7. Use the chocolate drip recipe to "drip" the chocolate along the sides of the cake (as shown in the video above).

41 thoughts on “Almond Joy Cake”

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  1. hi,

    so coconut cream is similar to whipping cream? like the texture ? what would be a good substitute?

    Reply

    1. The coconut cream I like isn’t the canned one. It’s the kind you add to mixed drinks. I actually shared it on my insta stories today. The best sub would actually be heavy whipping cream.

      Reply

  2. Hi, is the coconut almond filling like a crumble? Does it bake into a cookie-type bar & then you break it apart or what is the texture I’m going for and how do I use it? It is similar to a granola after baking? Also, where do you get coconut emulsion and what is it? I’m making this tomorrow with pecans instead of almonds and it looks SO good!! Can’t wait! Thanks so much!

    Reply

    1. You actually bake the filling without the coconut and almonds first. It’s a gooey consistency after it bakes and then you stir in the almonds and coconuts. Coconut emulsion can be found at Michaels sometimes or some grocery stores have coconut extract. but I got mine at Orson Gygi and Amazon.

      Reply

    1. It’s like an extract but it’s not made with alcohol and is a bit creamier in flavor. I got my coconut emulsion on Amazon, but if you can’t find it, you can use coconut extract.

      Reply

  6. I made this cake for my husband’s birthday. It was delicious. I was pleasantly surprised to see there was still plenty of filling left for the cake even after I ate so much of it before using. Man! That stuff is delicious! However, I barely had enough ganache and frosting for this cake. I haven’t had that problem before with any of your recipes, but this time I ran out. I wasn’t able to do any kind of piping or decorating on top. I would make extra next time for sure.

    Reply

    1. My recipes give you enough frosting for about 3/4 cup frosting between each layer and then enough to frost the outside of the cake – but if you want to pipe on the cake, you’ll have to add another 1/4 of the frosting recipe.

      Reply

  8. hi i noticed the filling calls for heavy cream, and just wanted to ask if this is the same as heavy whipping cream? I think i have seen just a plain heavy cream at the grocery store before but just wanted to double check.

    Reply

  9. 5 stars
    Hello, to make the glaze you use “coconut cream”. I am from Spain, Madrid. And here is one called the same “coconut cream” and goes in a can. And another one called “coconut milk” Do you know which one can help me?
    Thank you!!

    Reply

    1. If you don’t have the cream of coconut in the bottle, then I would use the coconut cream in the can and make sure to mix that cream well on it’s own before adding to the frosting.

      Reply

  10. Hello,
    What can I use in replace of the coconut emulsion? My stores do not sell it and I’ve waited too long to order it. I’d like to make this for Saturday.

    Reply

  11. I have tried 4 of your cake recipes now and I never get a good rise. I’ve made sure my baking powder is good, room temperature ingredients, don’t over mix etc and I still don’t seem to get a great rise. The texture of the cake is fine but it doesn’t seem to actually rise up the sides of the pan. Any other tips? How thick are your cake layers supposed to be? I just feel like I can’t make cake

    Reply

  12. Hi,

    I am making this cake and have followed instructions exactly. My filling looks more like German chocolate frosting, which I thought was fine until I started assembling and then watched your assembly video. The instructions say you can use immediately or refrigerate for later. I let it cool on the counter and then started assembly, but it is squishing out the sides. What is the filling supposed to be like…do I need to let it cool in the refrigerator and let it harden? It looks like crumbles in your assembly video.

    Reply

    1. Did you pipe a border of frosting around your cake before you put the filling in? That will stop it from coming out of the sides. Its not crumbles. Its a soft filling like german chocolate.

      Reply

  13. This cake looks amazing, and I’m excited to make it! Thanks so much for the recipe! Quick question: coould the measurement for the granulated sugar in the filling be incorrect? 156 grams of sugar equates to about 3/4 of a cup for me. So I’m wondering how much to add.

    Reply

  14. This looks delicious. I haven’t been much of a cake fan but I made your coconut key lime and now I want to make them all! Is milk powder—malted milk powder or powdered milk?

    Reply

  15. I’m wondering if the instructions for toasting the coconut is off. My first pass, the coconut completely burned before the first 10 minutes at 425. My second round, I lowered the temp to 375 and had to pull them out at 7-8 minutes because it was getting too toasty. Not sure how you managed to get 20 minutes of toasting at a high temperature.

    Reply

  17. 5 stars
    Made this for my husband’s birthday in September and he loved it! Thought of it again today because he started hinting I make it again sometime soon. One of the best cakes either of us have ever had.

    Reply

  18. Hi! I’m thinking about making this cake for my friend’s birthday this weekend. I was wondering if you have a recommendation for another frosting I could use. I’m not a fan of buttercream. I have tried some of the European buttercreams, like Italian, which I liked ok, but I’m partial to whipped cream frosting. I’m wondering if it would go with this cake? Sometimes it’s too light for some cakes. I could either make it chocolate and/or add coconut extract.

    Reply

  19. Sorry, another comment. I couldn’t find powered milk at the stores and when I googled substitutions, it said I could use milk if there was already liquid being used. Do you think this will be okay to use in the filling? Should I decrease the amount of cream? Any suggestions to avoid going to the store again? I also couldn’t find sweetened coconut but already have unsweetened so was just going to use that. I’m assuming that will be okay?

    Thanks for your help!

    Reply

  20. Oops, one more question. I just noticed that it was a three layer cake. Would it still work if I divided the cake recipe by 2/3 and just made two layers? (I guess I would do that for the filling too?)

    Reply

  21. Perfection cake but I always struggle with the almond coconut filling. It never cooks for me in the time you say it does. Why?

    Reply

  22. 5 stars
    This is literally the best cake ever! It’s so worth all the steps. I made it for my husband’s birthday, and while my nephew was eating his piece he said “I wish this cake would never end”

    Reply

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