Danish Dream Cake (Drømmekage)

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling
Yield 12 pieces
Test Kitchen Approved
Danish dream cake, or drømmekage, is a beloved Danish recipe featuring a wonderfully light and fluffy vanilla cake with a sweet caramelized coconut topping.

Ingredients

  • CAKE:
  • 1-1/3 cups sugar
  • 2 cups cake flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • TOPPING:
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Line a 13x9-in. cake pan with parchment paper; coat with cooking spray.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, sift together sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Add butter; cream 1-2 minutes or until the mixture resembles crumbly, wet sand. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in milk and vanilla extract; mix until a smooth, lump-free batter forms, being careful not to overmix.
  3. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake 15-17 minutes.
  4. While the cake bakes, prepare the topping. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add brown sugar; increase heat to medium. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the brown sugar dissolves and the mixture emulsifies into a caramel-like syrup, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Remove saucepan from the heat; whisk in milk, vanilla extract and salt until incorporated. Fold in shredded coconut.
  6. Remove cake from the oven. Gently pour the topping over the warm cake; spread into an even layer.
  7. Increase oven temperature to 400°; return cake to the oven for an additional 5-8 minutes or until the topping is bubbly and lightly golden brown. Remove to a wire rack; let cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 493 calories, 26g fat (18g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 218mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.

This beloved Danish recipe yields an irresistibly light and fluffy vanilla cake and a caramelized coconut topping. They call it a dream cake for a reason! —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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