Ingredients

1 1/2 c. cake flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

1/3 c. canola oil

1 c. granulated sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 tsp. lemon extract

1 tsp. lemon zest

5 eggs

1 c. whole milk

1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk

1/2 c. cream of coconut

1 1/2 c. heavy cream

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. toasted shredded coconut

1/4 c. store-bought caramel sauce

Preparation

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
  2. Make Batter: In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, combine oil, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest. Add eggs one at a time, beating well on medium speed between each addition. Reduce mixer speed to low, beat in half the flour mixture until incorporated, then add remaining flour and combine.
  3. Bake Cake: Pour batter into cake pan and bake until firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 27 minutes. Let cake cool to room temperature.
  4. Poke Holes: Pierce cooled cake with a fork 30 to 40 times. In a medium bowl, whisk together whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and cream of coconut. Slowly pour over cake. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
  5. Make Whipped Cream: In a medium bowl, combine heavy cream and cinnamon. Use an electric mixer on high speed to whip until medium peaks form. (After removing beaters, the cream should curl like the mountain in The Nightmare Before Christmas.)
  6. Assemble Dessert: Cut and plate cake, top with whipped cream, garnish with shredded coconut and drizzle with caramel.