Mounds Cake Recipe

Sweet Coconut Mounds Cake Recipe: A Homemade Treat

Decadent chocolate cascades over layers of sweet coconut in this irresistible mounds cake that promises pure dessert bliss.

The classic candy bar inspiration brings nostalgic flavors to a rich, indulgent cake experience.

Chocolate and coconut lovers will swoon over every deeply moist bite of this delectable treat.

Dark cocoa and shredded coconut create a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Each slice delivers a perfect balance of deep chocolate intensity and tropical coconut sweetness.

The simple yet elegant dessert transforms an ordinary evening into a celebration of flavor.

You’ll be amazed at how easily this show-stopping cake comes together with just a few key ingredients.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that captures the essence of your favorite childhood candy bar.

Perfect Matches for a Slice of Mounds Cake

  • Indulge in Delectable Pairings
  • Brew Bold Coffee Companion: Dark roast or espresso cuts through the cake's sweetness, enhancing the rich chocolate and coconut flavors with its robust intensity.
  • Capture Creamy Rum Delight: Serve a chilled coconut rum cocktail alongside, complementing the cake's tropical coconut notes and creating a decadent dessert experience.
  • Match Vanilla Ice Cream Sidekick: Scoop cold, smooth vanilla ice cream next to cake slices, providing a cool contrast to the warm chocolate and adding creamy texture.
  • Elevate Dessert Wine Twist: Select a sweet port or moscato wine, whose honeyed undertones beautifully balance the cake's deep chocolate and coconut profile.

Creative Styles for Making Mounds Cake Your Own

  • Gluten-Free Coconut Delight: Replace regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this rich dessert.
  • Vegan Chocolate Coconut Cake: Substitute cake mix with a vegan alternative, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and replace Cool Whip with coconut whipped cream for a plant-based version.
  • Reduced Sugar Option: Use a sugar-free cake mix, sugar-free chocolate syrup, and unsweetened shredded coconut to create a lower-calorie, diabetic-friendly dessert.
  • Nutty Chocolate Coconut Variation: Sprinkle chopped almonds or macadamia nuts between layers or on top for added crunch and nutty flavor, providing extra texture and nutritional value.

FAQs

  • What makes the Mounds Cake different from a regular chocolate cake?

The addition of shredded coconut and chocolate syrup creates a unique, indulgent dessert that combines the flavors of a classic chocolate cake with the tropical taste of a Mounds candy bar.

  • Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Yes, you can substitute Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream. Just ensure it’s stabilized so it holds up well when spread over the cake.

  • Is this recipe suitable for people who don't like coconut?

The coconut layer is optional. You can skip the shredded coconut topping and still enjoy a delicious chocolate cake with chocolate syrup.

  • Do I need any special baking skills to make this cake?

Not at all! This recipe is beginner-friendly and uses a cake mix as a base, making it easy for anyone to prepare a delicious dessert with minimal baking experience.

Why You’ll Love Mounds Cake’s Coconut-Chocolate Combo

  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Combines the irresistible combination of chocolate and coconut, creating a dessert that appeals to both kids and adults alike.
  • Quick and Convenient Treat: Uses simple ingredients like cake mix and pre-made toppings, allowing you to whip up a decadent dessert with minimal prep time and effort.
  • Versatile Party Pleaser: Ideal for potlucks, birthday celebrations, or weekend gatherings, this cake brings a touch of indulgence to any social event without complicated techniques.

What You’ll Need to Bake a Mounds Cake

Cake Base:
  • Boxed Chocolate Cake Mix: A convenient base for a super moist chocolate cake.
  • Cocoa Powder: Rich chocolate flavor that deepens the cake's taste.
  • Sugar: Sweet enhancer for the cake batter.
Cake Toppings:
  • Chocolate Chips: Delightful chocolate morsels scattered throughout the cake.
  • Chocolate Syrup: Decadent liquid that adds extra moisture.
Frosting and Filling:
  • Cool Whip, Shredded Coconut: Creamy and tropical topping that creates a dreamy texture.

How to Build a Rich and Moist Mounds Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to 350°F.

Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter

Whip up the cake mix following the package instructions.

Enhance the flavor by blending in rich cocoa powder and granulated sugar until the batter becomes smooth and velvety.

Step 3: Set the Foundation

Transfer the luscious batter into the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle a generous handful of chocolate chips across the surface, creating pockets of melty goodness.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cake into the preheated oven.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center.

The toothpick should come out clean when the cake is fully baked.

Step 5: Create Moisture Channels

Once the cake emerges from the oven, immediately punch holes throughout the surface using a fork or skewer.

Gently warm the chocolate syrup and pour it evenly over the hot cake, allowing it to seep into the created channels.

Step 6: Overnight Cooling

Cover the cake and let it rest overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and the syrup to fully absorb.

Step 7: Coconut Cream Topping

Blend Cool Whip with shredded coconut, creating a light and fluffy topping that will complement the rich chocolate base.

Step 8: Final Touch and Serve

Spread the coconut cream mixture generously over the cooled cake.

Refrigerate for at least an hour to set.

When ready, slice into squares and indulge in this tropical-inspired chocolate delight.

Helpful Tips for a Moist Mounds Cake

  • Add extra cocoa powder to intensify the chocolate flavor and create a richer, more decadent cake base.
  • Use the fork-poking method to help chocolate syrup penetrate deeply, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.
  • Gently fold Cool Whip and coconut together to create a smooth, even topping that spreads easily without lumps.
  • Allow the cake to rest overnight before adding the topping to let flavors meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
  • This cake can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Mounds Cake

  • Transfer leftover Mounds cake to an airtight container, covering tightly to prevent drying. Refrigerate for up to 4-5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
  • Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for 2-3 months, preserving the cake's delicious coconut and chocolate flavors.
  • Thaw frozen cake slices in the refrigerator overnight. Warm slightly in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or enjoy chilled for maximum coconut whipped cream enjoyment.
  • Always cover the cake to prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors and maintain its original rich taste and soft texture.
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Mounds Cake Recipe

Mounds Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Chocolate paradise meets coconut bliss in this sinful Mounds Cake, where rich dark chocolate layers embrace creamy coconut filling. Indulgent slices promise a dreamy escape that transports senses to pure dessert nirvana you’ll savor with each heavenly bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 box white or yellow cake mix
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • 2 cups shredded coconut
  • 1 cup chocolate syrup

Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Topping Ingredient:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) Cool Whip

Instructions

  1. Craft a rich chocolate canvas by preparing the cake batter according to package guidelines, enhancing it with cocoa and sugar for deep, intense flavor.
  2. Transfer the velvety mixture into a generously greased 9×13-inch baking vessel, scattering chocolate chips across the surface for delightful bursts of chocolatey decadence.
  3. Roast the cake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven, allowing it to bake until a testing probe emerges pristine and clean, approximately 30 minutes.
  4. Immediately upon removal, puncture the steaming cake with strategic perforations using a fork or slender skewer, creating channels for the rich chocolate syrup to seep deeply into the warm crumb.
  5. Gently cascade warmed chocolate syrup over the hot cake, ensuring complete and even saturation, then envelop and permit the cake to rest and cool thoroughly overnight.
  6. Craft a luxurious topping by folding together Cool Whip and fragrant shredded coconut, creating a cloud-like blanket of tropical sweetness.
  7. Lavishly drape the coconut cream mixture across the cake’s surface, ensuring complete coverage of the chocolate base.
  8. Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of one hour, allowing the layers to meld and set, then slice into elegant squares ready for indulgence.

Notes

  • Swap out regular chocolate syrup for sugar-free versions to reduce overall sugar content for diabetic-friendly options.
  • Create a gluten-free variation by using a certified gluten-free cake mix and checking ingredient labels carefully.
  • Enhance coconut flavor by toasting shredded coconut before mixing with Cool Whip for deeper, nuttier undertones.
  • For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for part of the Cool Whip to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
James Hambly

James Hambly

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Education, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Southern Cuisine

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in professional cooking techniques, emphasizing farm-to-table practices and Southern cuisine.

The Chef’s Academy
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive culinary education covering global cuisines, kitchen management, and food safety.​


James grew up surrounded by the smells of cast-iron skillets and slow-cooked Southern meals in Asheville, North Carolina.
He sharpened his skills with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and later leveled up with an Associate Degree from The Chef’s Academy.
James’s philosophy is simple: the best meals don’t need fancy tricks, just fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a little bit of heart. His favorite days are spent testing one-pan wonders, chasing bold flavors, and creating recipes that feel easy, even on a busy night.

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