Chef Chuck's Lemon Coconut Cake

Torta di Limone

If you love lemons, this cake is for you. I used fresh organic lemon zest and juice to make this cake moist, light and oh so lemony. I added the coconut topping to give another texture to this dessert.

Lemon Coconut Cake

9 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs, separated

2 organic lemons

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

1/4 cup coconut

Whip egg whites till stiff, set aside. In a mixer blend butter and sugar for 2 minutes, add egg yolks beat till all combined. Pour in juice and zest of 2 lemons and then add flour, baking powder and salt. Fold in egg whites, pour into an 8 inch pan. Sprinkle coconut on top and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Chef Chuck's Lemon Coconut Bars

A refreshing dessert with a buttery short bread crust and a bright lemony filling. Lightly dusted with coconut, gives these bars a little different texture. Always choose organic lemons that are firm.

Lemon Coconut Bars
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 cup flour
pinch of salt

Filling 4 egg yolks
zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons flour
pinch of salt
1/4 cup milk
coconut

Beat butter and sugar till creamy, slowly add flour and salt, the dough is dry and crumbly. Press into an 8 inch pan covered with parchment paper and buttered. Bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Meanwhile make filling, in a mixer using the whisk attachment, beat yolks, sugar, lemon zest and juice. Add flour, salt and milk. Pour over hot crust and bake an additional 30-35 minutes. Cool for 1 hour, put in refrigerator for 3 hours, cut and sprinkle coconut over top.

Chef Chuck's Coconut Cake

Torta di Cocco


A different kind of coconut cake, this recipe calls for coconut flour which intensifies the flavor. Topped with a chocolate ganache icing and sprinkled with coconut. This cake can be served anytime of day, with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Coconut Cake
3 eggs
7 ounces sugar
1 cup flour
6 ounces plain yogurt
4 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup coconut flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt


Beat room temperature eggs with the sugar for 3 minutes. Alternately add 1 cup flour, yogurt and melted butter, starting with the flour and ending with flour. Sift together coconut flour, salt and baking powder add to batter, just till all incorporated. It is a thick batter scrape into a buttered and floured 9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or till toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely and ice with melted chocolate and coconut.
Ganache icing: 1/2 cup dark chocolate 1/4 cup heavy cream, heat in a double boiler.

Chef Chuck's Coconut Almond Cookies

Cocco Biscotti di Mandorle

A cloud of coconut, almonds and fluffy egg whites makes these cookies light, and tasty. Dipped in melted dark chocolate gives them an extra sweetness.

Coconut Almond Cookies

4 egg whites

pinch of salt

6 ounces powdered sugar

6 ounces unsweetened organic

coconut

1 cup almonds, chopped fine

1/4 cup dark chocolate, melted

Beat egg whites for 30 seconds, then add pinch of salt and gradually add powdered sugar till soft peaks form. Fold in coconut and almonds. On a greased cookie pan carefully use a tablespoon and drop batter to your desired form. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, cookies should be golden brown. Cool and dip in melted chocolate, store in refrigerator. Makes 16-20 cookies depending on the size.

Chef Chuck's Italian Cream Cake

Torta alla crema

This is a creamy, pecan cake which is great for any special occasion. The coconut compliments the texture of this dessert. The pecans are soft and crunchy and the buttermilk adds to the moisture.

Italian Cream Cake
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
5 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sweetened coconut
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
3/4 cup pecans, chopped

Icing
8 ounces cream cheese,
room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk
3 cups confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons pecans, chopped
2 tablespoons pecans,
finely chopped for decorating

In an electric mixer cream together butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, buttermilk, vanilla, coconut, baking soda, flour and nuts. Grease three 8 inch pans pour batter evenly and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes and place cakes on a rack cool completely. In a mixer combine all ingredients for the icing. Ice each layer of cake and sides sprinkle extra fine nuts on top and side of cake.

Chef Chuck's Coconut Cookies

Biscotti della Cocco


These cookies are light and airy with an outer crunch and a soft chewy center. A hit of orange and chocolate in every bite, life is so sweet!

Coconut Cookies
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 1/4 cup sweet coconut
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon orange zest
chocolate for drizzling


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk egg whites till soft peaks form then add vanilla continue to whisk till firm peaks appear. Gently fold in sugar, coconut, flour and zest. Let sit for 10 minutes for coconut to soak up moisture. Place on baking sheet covered with parchment paper and bake for 12 minutes. Cool and drizzle chocolate on top.