Monday Bake - Coconut Loaf Cake

For once it seems the weather has been paying attention and it has been lovely since school broke up on Friday.  We had our first barbeque of the year yesterday at Hubby's Sisters and lovely it was too.  A perfect afternoon sitting in the sun, chatting and eating :o)  Sisterinlaw had made Nigellas Nutella cheesecake for pudding, which was delicious.    

Minibakebakegirl and I were going to spend the first official day of the holidays on our bikes, however our tyres needed pumping up and the pump was in the car and Hubby is at work with the keys....so we will cycle another day.   We walked to our picnic spot via the nature reserve, spotting some damselflies along the way (such a gorgeous blue) and sat in the shade.  After lunch I read my book and Minibakebakegirl did some drawing.   We both decided it was probably too hot for cycling today anyway!   

I don't know where I got this recipe from originally, it probably came from a Sunday magazine as I have written it in a notebook. I like the way the top of it forms a sort of crust and the inside is almost fluffy. 

Ingredients:
75g dessicated coconut plus some extra for sprinkling
150ml milk
175g caster sugar
175g margarine
2 eggs
225g self raising flour
Raspberry jam

Method:
Soak the coconut in the milk overnight in the fridge, if not leave to soak for as long as possible for the coconut to absorb the milk.

Preheat the oven to 160c/Fan 150c/GasMark3
Line a 2lb loaf tin with a loaf tin liner (I use Lakeland)
Place the margarine and sugar in a large bowl. Cream together with an electric whisk until light and creamy.
Add the eggs one at a time beating well between each one.
Add the coconut/milk and mix again.
Fold in the flour.
Spoon into the tin and cook for about 1hour 15minutes. 

Check it after an hour if the top is browning too quickly, cover with some foil.
Check the cake is cooked (when an inserted skewer comes out clean - if it doesn't pop
the cake back in the oven for another 5 minutes - then check again - repeat as necessary) The top will crack - this is fine.

Leave to cool in the tin. Once cool spread a thin layer of raspberry jam over the top of the cake and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

Thanks for visiting, have a good week, see you next Monday.
Bakebakegirl

Todays top three random Ipod songs:

1. We Are The People - Empire of The Sun
2. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
3. Hips Don't Lie - Shakira