Catch A Husband Cake
Catch-A-Husband Cake Recipe: The Irresistibly Moist Coconut Cake
A Cake Shrouded in Legend
There’s a certain magic to a recipe that comes with a story, and this one is a tale as old as time. The Catch-A-Husband Cake. The name alone makes me smile, conjuring images of church potlucks and family reunions where a single, sublime dessert could spark a thousand compliments—and maybe even a proposal. I first had it at my great-aunt’s house, a woman who believed fiercely in the power of a good, homemade cake. The moment I took a bite, I understood the legend. It wasn’t just cake; it was an experience. Unbelievably moist, impossibly creamy, and fragrant with coconut, it’s the kind of dessert that makes people stop talking, close their eyes, and just savor. It’s a cake that creates its own spotlight.
Why You’ll Love This Cake
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Unforgettable Moistness: Thanks to a unique blending technique and a triple-milk soak, this cake stays incredibly tender and moist for days.
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Effortless Elegance: Its stunning Bundt shape and glossy coconut glaze make it look like it came from a professional bakery, with a fraction of the effort.
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A Conversation Starter: The charming name and incredible flavor are guaranteed to be the talk of any gathering.
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Crowd-Pleasing Power: It’s a universal winner, beloved by both coconut fanatics and those who usually prefer chocolate.
The Ultimate Testimony
I’ll never forget the time I brought this cake to a friend’s barbecue. Her father, a man of few words and a notorious dessert skeptic, took a small, obligatory slice. I watched him take a bite, then another, his stern expression softening into one of pure delight. He finished the slice, stood up without a word, and cut himself a second, larger piece. Before leaving, he sought me out just to say, “That cake… you’ll have to give my daughter the recipe.” That’s the power of this cake—it charms even the toughest critics.
What Makes It Special
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The Triple-Milk Base: A luxurious blend of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and coconut milk creates a rich, dense, and supremely moist crumb that’s the hallmark of this dessert.
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Blender Simplicity: By blending the batter, we ensure everything is perfectly emulsified and silky smooth, guaranteeing a consistent, flawless texture in every bite.
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The Toasted Coconut Glaze: This isn’t just a simple icing. Simmering the coconut in coconut milk and sugar toasts the flakes and creates a fragrant, creamy glaze that seeps into the cake, doubling down on flavor and moisture.
Making It Happen: Crafting Your Legend
This cake is wonderfully straightforward. Start by preheating your oven and giving your Bundt pan some serious attention. Grease it thoroughly with softened butter, getting into every nook and cranny. A good dusting of flour tapped around the pan will ensure your beautiful cake releases perfectly later.
Now, for the easy part. Combine all the cake ingredients right in your blender—the condensed milk, evaporated milk, coconut milk, flour, sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Blend it on high until the batter is completely smooth and creamy. You’ll hear the change in the motor’s sound when it’s ready.
Pour that velvety batter into your prepared pan and slide it into the oven. Bake until the top is a deep, golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. The aroma will be absolutely divine.
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack. This is the moment of truth! While the cake cools slightly, make your glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the coconut milk, sugar, and shredded coconut. Bring it to a gentle simmer, letting it bubble for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. Let it cool for five minutes; it will continue to thicken.
Place your warm cake on a serving platter with a rim (to catch any drips) and generously spoon the warm, fragrant glaze all over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
You Must Know
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Pan Prep is Paramount: Do not skip thoroughly greasing and flouring your Bundt pan. This is the single most important step for a picture-perfect cake.
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Blend in Batches: If your blender is on the smaller side, blend the wet ingredients first, then add the flour in two parts to avoid overfilling.
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The Cake Tells You When It’s Done: Ovens vary. Start checking at 40 minutes. The cake should be pulling away from the sides slightly and be springy to the touch.
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Glaze While Warm: Glazing the cake while both components are still warm allows the cake to absorb some of the glaze, making it even more flavorful and moist.
Serving Ideas
This cake is a star on its own, but a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream takes it to another level. For a drink pairing, a cup of strong coffee cuts through the sweetness beautifully, or a glass of cold milk is a classic, comforting choice.
Make It Different
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Tropical Twist: Add ½ cup of crushed pineapple (well-drained) to the batter with a teaspoon of rum extract.
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Nutty Delight: Fold ¾ cup of toasted pecans or macadamia nuts into the batter before pouring.
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Chocolate Dip: Drizzle the glazed cake with a simple chocolate ganache for a decadent Mounds Bar effect.
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Dairy-Free: Use canned coconut milk for the whole recipe and a plant-based butter alternative. Ensure your condensed and evaporated milk are coconut-based versions.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store any leftovers (lucky you!) covered at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days. The cake’s moisture actually improves overnight. It’s delicious cold, but for that fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm a slice in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Success Tips
For the absolute best texture, allow the cake to cool almost completely before slicing. This gives the structure time to set, ensuring clean, beautiful slices. If you have time, making this cake a day ahead allows the flavors to meld and mature perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use a different type of pan?
A: A standard 9×13-inch baking pan will work. Adjust the baking time; start checking for doneness at 30-35 minutes.
Q: My cake is very dense. Is that normal?
A: Yes! This is a dense, moist cake, similar to a pound cake or tres leches cake. It’s not meant to be light and airy.
Q: Can I use light coconut milk?
A: For the glaze, full-fat coconut milk is best for richness and flavor. For the cake batter, light coconut milk can be used, but the result may be slightly less rich.
Q: The glaze seems thin. Did I do something wrong?
A: Not at all! The glaze will seem thin when hot but will thicken significantly as it cools. Allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes off the heat before spooning it over the cake.
Q: Can I freeze this cake?
A: Absolutely. Wrap the unglazed cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and make the fresh glaze before serving.
Catch-A-Husband Cake
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Category: Dessert
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: American
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients
Cake
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14 oz. (1 can) sweetened condensed milk
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12 oz. (1 can) evaporated milk
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1 cup canned coconut milk
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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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3 large eggs
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3 tbsp. butter, melted
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1 tsp. vanilla extract
Coconut Glaze
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1 cup coconut milk
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2 tbsp. sugar
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1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 10-cup Bundt pan with butter and dust with flour, tapping out excess.
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Combine all cake ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth.
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Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
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Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
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For the glaze, combine coconut milk, sugar, and shredded coconut in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
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Place cooled cake on a serving plate. Spoon the warm glaze over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
Notes
Allergy Info: Contains milk, eggs, gluten, coconut.
Nutrition: (Per serving, estimated) Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 150mg | Sugar: 40g
