Mrs. Lacy’s Mounds Cake or Almond Joy Cake Recipe | Chocolate Coconut Layer Cake 🍫🥥❤️

Y’all, we’ve got a question for you today — are you a Mounds person or an Almond Joy person? 😂

At Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House in Sanford, North Carolina, we love them both!

Today, Faye is showing you how to make one of our delicious Southern desserts: Mounds Cake, with an easy option to turn it into an Almond Joy Cake!

We’re talking three layers of rich chocolate cake, a sweet coconut marshmallow filling, and creamy homemade chocolate buttercream icing.

And here’s the best part — you can make both versions using the same recipe!

If you love Mounds candy bars, leave off the almonds.

If you’re an Almond Joy fan, sprinkle sliced or slivered almonds on top!

It’s a wonderful homemade dessert for birthdays, family gatherings, holidays, or anytime you’re craving chocolate and coconut.

🎥 Watch Faye Make Mounds Cake and Almond Joy Cake!

Want to see how Faye prepares this delicious chocolate coconut cake?

She’s showing you how to make the filling, frost the layers, and turn one recipe into two different desserts.

❤️ Watch Faye Make Mounds Cake or Almond Joy Cake on YouTube

🥥 Mrs. Lacy’s Homemade Mounds Cake Recipe

Prep Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Bake Time: Follow cake mix directions, typically 20–30 minutes for thin layers
Cooling and Assembly: Approximately 1–2 hours
Servings: Approximately 12–16
Cake Size: Three 9-inch layers

Ingredients for the Chocolate Cake

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (Faye recommends Devil’s Food)
• Eggs, oil, and water or milk required by the cake mix package

Ingredients for the Coconut Marshmallow Filling

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 20 large marshmallows, or approximately 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 packages Baker’s shredded coconut, or frozen coconut
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Use the amount of coconut supplied in Faye’s recipe; package sizes can vary.

Ingredients for the Chocolate Buttercream Icing

• 1 box (1 pound) confectioners’ sugar, approximately 3¾–4 cups
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• ⅓ cup milk, plus a little extra if needed
• 1 stick (½ cup) butter, softened

Optional Almond Joy Topping

• Sliced or slivered almonds, as desired

Remember: No almonds for Mounds Cake. Add almonds for Almond Joy Cake!

👩‍🍳 Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven according to the chocolate cake mix package, typically 350°F.

Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.

You can also line the bottoms with parchment paper to make removing the cake layers easier.

Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, prepare your Devil’s Food cake mix according to the package instructions.

Add the required eggs, oil, and water or milk.

Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Bake Your Three Cake Layers

Divide the chocolate cake batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans.

Because you’re dividing one box of cake mix into three pans, the layers will be relatively thin.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Important: Start checking earlier than the time listed for a standard two-layer cake because thinner layers may bake faster.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for approximately 10 minutes, then carefully transfer them to wire racks.

Allow the layers to cool completely before assembling.

🥥 How to Make the Coconut Marshmallow Filling

Step 4: Heat the Milk, Sugar, and Marshmallows

In a medium saucepan, combine:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 20 large marshmallows

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently.

Continue heating until the marshmallows have melted and the mixture is smooth.

Avoid scorching the milk or sugar.

Step 5: Add the Vanilla and Coconut

Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Add the shredded coconut and stir until everything is well combined.

The mixture should be thick, sweet, and full of coconut flavor.

Allow it to cool until warm rather than hot before spreading it onto your cake layers.

Y’all, this coconut filling is what makes the cake so special!

🍫 How to Make the Chocolate Buttercream Icing

Step 6: Beat the Butter

Place 1 stick of softened butter in a large mixing bowl.

Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.

Step 7: Add the Powdered Sugar and Cocoa

Gradually add:

• 1 pound confectioners’ sugar
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder

Mix on low speed until incorporated.

Step 8: Add the Milk

Slowly add ⅓ cup milk, mixing until the frosting becomes smooth and creamy.

If the icing is too thick, add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time.

If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

Beat until the icing is easy to spread.

🎂 How to Assemble Mrs. Lacy’s Mounds Cake

Step 9: Add the First Cake Layer

Place one completely cooled chocolate cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate.

Spread a generous portion of coconut marshmallow filling over the top.

Step 10: Add the Second Cake Layer

Carefully place the second chocolate cake layer over the coconut filling.

Spread another layer of coconut filling over the second cake layer.

Step 11: Add the Final Chocolate Layer

Place the third chocolate cake layer on top.

Gently press the layers together to help stabilize the cake.

Step 12: Frost With Chocolate Buttercream

Spread the homemade chocolate buttercream over the top and sides of the cake.

Use a spatula to smooth the frosting.

If the coconut filling is still soft, refrigerate the stacked cake briefly before frosting to make decorating easier.

Step 13: Make It Mounds or Almond Joy!

Now comes the fun part!

For Mounds Cake: Leave the chocolate frosting plain, without almonds.

For Almond Joy Cake: Sprinkle sliced or slivered almonds over the top.

You can also press a few almonds around the sides if you’d like.

And just like that, you’ve turned one wonderful recipe into two delicious desserts!

Step 14: Chill, Slice, and Enjoy!

Refrigerate the cake briefly to help the layers and frosting set.

When you’re ready to serve, slice into generous portions.

And there you have it — Mrs. Lacy’s Homemade Mounds Cake or Almond Joy Cake! 🍫🥥❤️

❤️ Faye’s Tips for Making the Best Chocolate Coconut Cake

Use Devil’s Food cake mix! It gives the cake a rich chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with the coconut filling.

Let your cake layers cool completely! Warm layers can cause the filling and icing to slide.

Stir the marshmallow mixture frequently! This helps prevent sticking or scorching.

Use real butter in your frosting! It gives the chocolate icing a wonderful homemade flavor.

Don’t overfill your layers! Spread the coconut filling evenly so the cake stays stable.

Chill before slicing! This makes it easier to cut neat slices.

Make it your own! Add almonds if you love Almond Joy, or leave them off if Mounds is your favorite.

🍫 What’s the Difference Between Mounds Cake and Almond Joy Cake?

The difference is simple — almonds!

Both cakes feature delicious chocolate and coconut flavors.

Mounds Cake is perfect for anyone who loves the combination of chocolate and coconut without nuts.

Almond Joy Cake adds sliced or slivered almonds for a little extra crunch.

And the wonderful thing about Faye’s recipe is that you don’t have to choose when you’re making the cake!

You can even add almonds to just half the top so everybody gets their favorite version.

🎄 The Perfect Cake for Holidays and Celebrations

This rich chocolate coconut cake is wonderful for:

• Birthday celebrations
• Christmas gatherings
• Thanksgiving desserts
• Easter dinner
• Family reunions
• Church potlucks
• Sunday dinners

And because it makes a beautiful three-layer cake, it’s a wonderful centerpiece for your dessert table.

❄️ How to Store Mounds Cake or Almond Joy Cake

Keep the cake covered in the refrigerator because of its milk-based coconut filling.

For best quality, enjoy within approximately 3–4 days.

Allow individual slices to sit at room temperature briefly before serving if you prefer a softer buttercream texture.

❤️ Why We Love Sharing Southern Cake Recipes

At Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House, we love a good homemade cake!

And this one combines so many wonderful flavors — rich chocolate, sweet coconut, creamy marshmallow filling, and homemade chocolate icing.

It’s the kind of dessert that makes you want to sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy every bite.

We hope you’ll give Faye’s recipe a try and share it with someone you love!

📚 Bring a Little Mrs. Lacy’s Home With You!

Love cooking with Faye? Then you’ll love Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House Cookbook!

Filled with 500 cherished family recipes, it’s a wonderful way to bring a little Southern hospitality into your own kitchen.

❤️ Shop Mrs. Lacy’s Cookbooks Online

Cookbooks are also available at Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House in Sanford, North Carolina.

❤️ More Cooking With Faye!

At Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House, we love sharing family recipes, easy cooking tips, and a little Southern hospitality with all of you!

Be sure to follow our YouTube channel for more recipes, kitchen tips, and fun with Faye.

And if you’re ever in Sanford, North Carolina, we’d love for you to stop by Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House for lunch and something sweet!

Now we want to know! 🍫🥥❤️

Are you Team Mounds or Team Almond Joy?

Do you love that extra crunch from almonds, or do you prefer your chocolate coconut cake without nuts?

Tell us in the comments! We can’t wait to see which one wins!