I’m back into the swing of watching daytime talk shows during the day while I’m busy blogging, baking, and writing. Over the summer, I replaced super boring repeats with game shows, movies, and repeats of Grey’s Anatomy, which somehow manage to never get old. But now it’s back to Rachael Ray, The Chew, The Talk, Ellen, even Queen Latifah, and of course, The View.
Speaking of The View, it made some major changes this season. Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck are out and Jenny McCarthy is in. Truthfully over the last couple of seasons, my enjoyment of watching The View had been dwindling. Everything they talked about was so depressing and each topic, whether serious or light hearted, seemed to spark an argument. I was getting stressed out watching a daytime talk show!
When this season began, I figured I’d tune in for a day or two to see how Jenny McCarthy did and then make The Price is Right a permanent part of my daily routine because my life – it doesn’t need any more drama.
But then something crazy happened. I watched the season premiere and I loved it. It wasn’t stressful, not full of arguing and the hosts talking over each other. It was fun, light hearted, happy. The hosts calmly and eloquently shared their opinions and really seemed to respect each other. I wanted to hear what they had to say. I wanted to watch the show the next day. I wanted to make these ladies part of my morning routine. That sentiment hasn’t changed a couple weeks later either. The View has never been better. I look forward to watching it every single day and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. It’s rare that a show can successfully reinvent itself, but The View has done so and other shows should take note.
Something that doesn’t need to be reinvented is this Berry Coconut Cake. It is not too sweet and is essentially a snack cake, making it perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any time in between. The mild vanilla cake has a soft, fine crumb and gets some texture from the shredded coconut, but not much flavor. The berries on top really shine through. Make this cake before all the summer berries disappear!
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Berry Coconut Cake
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 pieces 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for plan
- 1 ¾ cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided, plus more for pan
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup shredded coconut (I used Bob’s Red Mill Unsweetened)
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk (I used almond, but anything, including buttermilk would work)
- 3 ½ cups mixed berries (I used blackberries and blueberries)
- 3 tablespoons bourbon or rum
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9 by 13 inch pan. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 ¾ cups flour, baking powder, salt, and coconut. In a large bowl, cream butter, vanilla, and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. I did this by hand, but a hand or stand mixer would work as well. Add the eggs one at a time and mix until once again light and fluffy. Alternately add flour mixture and milk into the sugar mixture. Begin and end with the flour and do 3 installments of flour and 2 of milk. Mix until just combined. Pour into pan and spread into an even layer.
- In a medium bowl, combine the berries with remaining 1 tablespoon flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, and rum. Stir until berries are fully coated. Pour the berries into an even layer over the batter. Bake cake about 35 minutes, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs and the edges of the cake are golden brown. Cake may be served warm or allowed to cool completely in the pan. Cake may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days or frozen in pieces, wrapped in parchment and foil and placed in a zipper bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour or in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
I used to love watching The View but I agree – when I was actually home to watch it, the arguing always made it super stressful for me! I’m glad to hear this season is turning out better!
This looks so yummy, love berry and coconut combo!
I had no idea that Jenny McCarthy is on The View! I’ll have to tune in. That Berry Coconut Cake sounds delicious, especially with the bourbon!
I love this yummy combination of ingredients! Berries + Coconut in a cake sounds amazing!
I used to enjoy watching the view, but stopped several years ago when I tired of listening to their arguing. Maybe I’ll give it another go. And this berry cake looks spectacular! I don’t think I’ve ever made anything with bourbon (and definitely not a cake), but you had me at coconut. Gonna give this a try! 🙂 –Fran
I love baking with bourbon! I do it all the time and it lends great flavor. Thanks, Fran!
Yum, yum, yum! Looks fantastic!
I love the View! Haven’t seen it in wayyyy too long though. Oh, and I want this cake. I love that you baked with bourbon.
I couldn’t stand the View for the very reasons you listed in this post, Laura. It just felt like those ladies were super catty, uber negative and I could never hear what any of them were saying because they were all yelling at each other. I’m glad to hear there’s been a change. As for this cake – want.love.need. Wow! It looks so moist ‘n flavourful. And I’m gonna say hell yeah to the coconut and booze!
The presentation and pictures are fantastic! What a beautiful little treat. It looks like summer 🙂
Ha! I was just telling Art that I saw this and how incredible it looked and he admitted that there was some hidden in the fridge. Sneaky guy was going to keep it to himself!
You have another berry dessert that I’ll be posting soon, Jessica. I actually kept this one all to myself 🙂
This is gorgeous and looks totally worth trying. Berries and coconut can’t be beat.
This is so drool-worthy! And I was delighted when I read that it’s “suitable for breakfast” – Yes please!
I’m all about dessert for breakfast, but I think this in particular is suited for breakfast 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Aimee!
Wow, these are good.
that looks yummy!
I haven’t seen the view in AGES since I’m not generally home at that time…but I remember the tension even from a ways back. Also Grey’s = love.
This cake! Love the berry coconut combo!
Yes, Grey’s is the best! Thanks, Joanne!
My daytime guilty pleasures are Dr. Oz and Judge Judy lol I can’t wait to try this cake–I know my mom is going to love this, and she has a crazy sweet tooth, so I’ll whip this up for my next visit!
I can’t watch Dr. Oz – it brings out the hypochondriac in me 🙂 I used to watch Judge Judy with my Granny! That brings back good memories.
I am making this cake for my bible study group this upcoming Monday. It looks delicious! I will repost later and tell you how much my bible study group loved your cake!
Thanks so much, Mary! I hope you enjoy the cake 🙂
Love this cake girl and that you sneaked in some bourbon! I wish I could watch some daytime TV. Love Ellen very much.
★★★★★
When I couldn’t or can’t watch daytime TV I DVR them to watch later. Thanks, Zainab!
I love coconut flavored cakes, and I’m especially fond of ones with all these fresh berries. What a delight! Thank you for sharing! I hope you are having a relaxing and delicious weekend. I know I’m hungry now after reading your post!
★★★★★
Wowwwww. Baking with berries is always beautiful, but this takes it to another level!
My friends have all been freaking out about Breaking Bad, so I finally started watching from the beginning… too bad the series finale is this Sunday.
I haven’t seen Breaking Bad yet, but I need to watch it from the beginning.
This cake is gorgeous! Love the combination of berries and coconut. And I love that the daytime shows are back too.
These look amazingly delicious and so colorful! It does remind me to savor that last little bit of Summer!
I am still hanging on to summer for sure! Thanks for visiting, Lindsey 🙂
Wow …love coconut and the texture between the berries and coconut is GREAT. Love desserts and this is a keeper. Thanks
I thought I commented on these the other day. Great snack.
I’m not much on coconut, but, these were mild and very tasty.
I’m not able to watch daytime tv often, but I did happen to catch an episode of The View this season and I agree. The interaction between the women are great and the topics are much more refreshing.
This berry cake looks refreshing! Seriously yummy. 🙂
really enjoyed it excellent taste and texture.
★★★★★
What a pretty cake, with lovely colors! I just need this for breakfast tomorrow. 🙂
What a great way to end the summer…the berries were so full of flavor! The cake was light and delicious and the best part is, it’s so easy to make. The pictures are beautiful, and so is the baker for sharing your recipes with us!
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Carol! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
This cake was really good, nice and light. I really liked all the berries especially flavored with bourbon, WOW!!!
★★★★★
The coconut and berries are a great combination. Thanks
★★★★★
I haven’t seen The View in years, but I might give it a shot again. And I love the combination of berries and coconut! What a great way to send off summer berry season!
Laura, this cake looks AMAZING!! That cake looks seriously perfect–so fluffy. My ideal crumb *sigh* I almost never get to watch daytime talk shows but I am SO SO excited for all my favorite shows to come back this fall!!! Scandal, The Vampire Diaries, Revenge, The Mindy Project, New Girl…my roster reads like a total teenage girl. Anyhoo. Cake = I want.
I have gone crazy over fall TV too. Grey’s Anatomy, Homeland, Survivor, Chicago Fire . . . I’m a total TV addict! Thanks, Erika!
I love the massive amount of berries on top. Wow, a berry in every bite, and then some. And coconut, and rum, even better!
I used to watch the View religiously like 10-12 yrs ago. Probably right when Elizabeth started and Joy was there and over the years it got so depressing and talk-overish and bickering and just not entertainment; I have real life for that kind of stuff. Dont need it on Tv. I can imagine Jenny is a breath of fresh, light, funny air!
I was about to stop watching because I have enough stress in my life, but now it’s one of my favorite shows again. I’m surprised, but happy they figured it out.