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Coconut, how do I love thee?  Truly, I love coconut.  The flavor.  The texture.  The aroma.  In a pie, in a cookie, in a cake, in a drink.  If you’re serving coconut, send me an invitation.  I have noticed, however, that coconut tends to be polarizing.  It’s either one or the other,  “Is that coconut?  Yummmm, I adore coconut.”  or “Is that coconut?  Gross, I hate coconut!”  I can’t say that I’ve heard any noncommittal responses.  Since today’s post is all about coconut, I hope the majority of you are coconut lovers…

Coconut Pound Cake  

1 vanilla bean
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Ganache
Vanilla Glaze

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Butter and flour a Bundt pan (this cake will stick, so be sure to use the flour)
In a food processor, process 3 cups of the coconut with the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Process until the coconut has been fully ground into the flour.  Set aside.
In a mixer, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. 
Add eggs one at a time.
Scrape vanilla bean and add paste to butter mixture.
Add yogurt and mix well.
Finally, stir in flour.
Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan and bake for 1 hour or until tester inserted comes out clean.
Allow cake to cool for 20-25 minutes before inverting, then cool completely before applying glazes.
Pour on vanilla glaze and allow to set.  Once set, pour on chocolate glaze and sprinkle on remaining coconut.
Serve.

Vanilla Glaze
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 tablespoons whole milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
Microwave butter and 4 tablespoons milk until butter melts.  Stir in vanilla and salt.  Add powdered sugar and stir until smooth.  If glaze is too thick, add additional milk until desired consistency is reached.

Chocolate Glaze
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Microwave heavy cream and chocolate chips for 60 seconds.  Remove and stir.  Return and microwave for another 30 seconds, stirring and returning to microwave for 30 second intervals until chocolate has melted.  Allow to cool before using.