Almond Joy Layer Cake

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This Almond Joy Layer Cake is made with layers of moist chocolate cake, a delicious flakey coconut filling, almond slivers, coconut frosting and chocolate ganache! It’s the perfect cake for any celebration!

Almond Joy Layer Cake recipe

Almond Joy Layer Cake

Almond Joy Layer Cake

Today is such a big day – there are TWO things to celebrate! First, it’s my mom’s birthday. She’s pretty much one of my favorite people, so celebrating her birth is totally important. Without her I wouldn’t exist and I wouldn’t be who I am. She’s always been a huge influence on me and she’s one of my best friends. I love her to death, so this cake is definitely in part to celebrate another fabulous year of her life.

I am also celebrating my 5 year blogiversary today. Five years ago today I published my first blog post. It’s amazing to look back on the last 5 years to see how much this blog has grown and changed. I’ve learned so much, met so many amazing people, made new friends and made this blog my full time job. I’ve also accumulated an insane amount of cakes stands, written a cookbook and heard from so many readers.

One of the best parts of this blog is hearing from people who have made and loved recipes, as well as those who have followed our fertility journey and relate in some way or are praying for us. You guys are all awesome and inspire me to keep creating and sharing. Thank you for following along! This cake today is also for you!

best Almond Joy Layer CakeAlmond Joy Cake

So let’s talk a bit about this almond joy layer cake. If you like chocolate and coconut, it’s to die for! To start, there’s the moist chocolate cake. So moist, so easy to put together. No creaming or craziness, just mixing some ingredients together. All you need is a couple bowls and a whisk! Bake those babies up and let them cool.

For the filling, we’ve got a super simple mixture of shredded coconut and sweetened condensed milk. The mixture is not only delicious, the texture totally reminds me of the inside of the Almond Joy candy bar. So good! Soft, chewy and moist. Get in my belly! A few almond slivers are sprinkled on top of the coconut filling layers as well.

The whole cake is frosted with a coconut frosting, then covered with chocolate ganache. I often get questions about my frostings and the use of butter/shortening and the amounts of powdered sugar. If you find yourself wanting more information about those things, I wrote this post on frosting consistency that gives some guidance. My frosting is much like a standard decorating buttercream because I like to be able to decorate my cakes. If that’s not your thing, feel free to adjust.

The final cake is totally intoxicating! Every time I opened the container I stored it in, I could smell all the chocolate and coconut. Yum!! The moist chocolate cake, with the chewy coconut and light crunch of the almond slivers is perfection! Almond Joy in cake form and so perfect for a celebration like today!

Almond Joy Layer Cake showing layersDecorated Almond Joy Layer Cake

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Recipe

Almond Joy Layer Cake

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Total Time: 47 minutes
  • Yield: 12-14 Slices
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Almond Joy Layer Cake is made with layers of moist chocolate cake, a delicious flakey coconut filling, almond slivers, coconut frosting and chocolate ganache! It’s the perfect cake for any celebration!


Ingredients

CHOCOLATE CAKE

  • 1 3/4 cups (228g) all purpose flour
  • 2 cups (414g) sugar
  • 3/4 cup (85g) cocoa
  • 2 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240ml) hot water

COCONUT FILLING

  • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 3 cups (280g) sweetened shredded coconut
  • 24 tbsp sliced almonds

COCONUT FROSTING

  • 1 1/4 cup (280g) butter
  • 1 1/4 cups (237g) shortening
  • 10 cups (1150g) powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp coconut extract
  • 56 tbsp (90-105ml) water or milk

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

  • 6 oz (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
  • Almond Joy candy bars, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare three 8 inch cake pans with non-stick baking spray and parchment paper in the bottom.
2. Add the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt to a large mixer bowl and combine. Set aside.
3. Add the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and eggs to a medium sized bowl and combine.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat until well combined.
5. Slowly add the hot water to the batter and mix on low speed until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
7. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
8. To make the coconut filling, add the shredded coconut and sweetened condensed milk to a medium bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
9. To make the frosting, add the butter and shortening to a large mixer bowl and mix together until well combined.
10. Add half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
11. Add the coconut extract and 4-5 tablespoons of water or milk and mix until smooth.
12. Slowly add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add additional water or milk, as needed.
13. To build the cake, use a large serrated knife to remove the tops of the cake layers so that they’re flat. See my tips on how to level a cake and how to stack a cake.
14. Place the first cake layer on a serving plate or cardboard cake circle then pipe a dam of coconut frosting around the edge of the cake.
15. Add about half of the coconut filling inside of the dam, then spread evenly into an even layer.
16. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of slivered almonds over the top and press into the filling.
17. Add the next cake layer, then top it with another dam of frosting, the remaining coconut filling and more slivered almonds.
18. Add the final cake layer to the top of the cake.
19. Smooth out the frosting on the sides of the cake, creating a thin crumb coat.
20. Add about 1 cup of frosting to the top of the cake and smooth into an even layer.
21. Frost the cake using my tutorial for how to frost a smooth cake. Stop just before using the paper towel, which won’t be necessary with the pattern on the sides of this cake.
22. Use an offset spatula to create the stripes around the cake.
23. Set the cake aside and make the chocolate ganache (see my tips on making chocolate ganache). Put the chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl.
24. Microwave the heavy whipping cream until it just begins to boil, then pour it over the chocolate chips. Allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
25. Use a squeeze bottle or a spoon to drizzle the chocolate around the edges of the cake, then fill in the top of the cake and smooth it with an offset spatula. See my tips on making a chocolate drip cake.
26. Allow the ganache to firm a bit, about 10 minutes, then top with remaining frosting, a little more shredded coconut, almond slivers and Almond Joy candy bars.
27. Cover well and refrigerate the cake until ready to serve. Serve at room temperature. Cake is best for 3-4 days.

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Enjoy!

Almond Joy Layer Cake slice

Almond Joy Layer Cake - layers of moist chocolate cake, flakey coconut filling and almonds, coconut frosting and chocolate ganache!
Lindsay
About Lindsay

I'm a wife and a mom to twin boys and a baby girl! And I've got a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the treats!

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29