Coconut Cheesecake Recipe

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Updated on 11/21/22
Coconut Cheesecake

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 85 mins
Total: 110 mins
Servings: 10 to 12 servings
Yield: 1 cake

Here's a cheesecake that's the perfect addition to a tropical summer soiree! This recipe uses sweetened shredded coconut in two ways, both toasted and untoasted. The toasted coconut is incorporated into the crust and also used as a garnish on the finished cheesecake. The untoasted coconut is folded into the batter.

To give the dessert even more island flavor, a can of cream of coconut is also incorporated. Cream of coconut is made from tender coconut meat blended with cane sugar, resulting in a pure, smooth consistency that's ideal for cheesecakes.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

  • 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling

  • 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 2/3 cup sugar

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1 (15-ounce) can cream of coconut, such as Coco Lopez

  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

For the Garnish

  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. Toast 2 cups of sweetened shredded coconut. (1 1/2 cups will be used for the crust and the remaining 1/2 cup is reserved for garnish.) 

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  3. Make the crust. Wrap outside of a 9-inch springform pan with 2 3/4-inch sides with foil. This helps keep any leaks from the springform pan from spilling onto your oven floor. 

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1 1/2 cups of the toasted coconut, and sugar. 

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  5. Add the butter and mix to blend.

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  6. Press the mixture onto the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan. Chill while preparing the filling.

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  7. Preheat oven to 325 F. Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until blended. 

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  8. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in the egg yolk.

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  9. Add the cream of coconut and shredded coconut. Beat just until blended. 

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  10. Pour filling into chilled crust. Bake cheesecake until puffed and golden, about 1 hour 25 minutes. 

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  11. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. Refrigerate until well chilled.

    Coconut Cheesecake
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  12. When ready to serve, garnish the rim of the cheesecake with remaining 1/2 cup of toasted coconut. 

Tips

  • To toast coconut on a stovetop: Place the desired amount of coconut in a large dry skillet. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the flakes are mostly golden brown. Watch the coconut carefully as it will continue to brown even after you remove it from the heat. This method provides a bit more control over the toasting process since you are able to keep a constant eye over coconut. Also, frequent stirring allows for a more evenly toasted finished product.
  • To toast coconut in the oven: Spread the coconut out on a rimmed baking sheet and place in a preheated 350 F oven. Toast until golden brown, stirring every 3 or 4 minutes to prevent burning. The process should take about 5 to10 minutes. Once toasted, set the baking sheet aside to cool.
  • Sweetened coconut tends to toast faster than unsweetened coconut.
  • This cheesecake can be made up to one day ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated. 
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
622 Calories
42g Fat
57g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10 to 12
Amount per serving
Calories 622
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 42g 54%
Saturated Fat 28g 141%
Cholesterol 155mg 52%
Sodium 325mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 57g 21%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 46g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 80mg 6%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 232mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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