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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Kärleksmums (Swedish Chocolate Coconut Cake)

    Published: Jul 2, 2021 · Modified: Sep 11, 2021 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

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    A classic Swedish treat, Kärleksmums (Swedish Chocolate and Coconut Cake), is great for snacks or dessert.  Chocolate cake topped with dried coconut — it is excellent with coffee, tea, or even wine!  So give it a try!

    An overhead shot of Kärleksmums sliced and ready for serving.

    (*This post contains some affiliate links)

    Kärleksmums is known by various names.  Its literal translation is ‘love yums,’ but some call it ‘chocolate squares‘ or ‘mocha squares.’

    I wanted to make it more descriptive, so I kept the two most crucial ingredients in the English translation — chocolate and coconut.

    The chocolate in the form of cocoa powder is added to both the cake batter and the icing, while the dried coconut is only on top of the icing.

    It’s almost like chokladbollar, but only cut in squares, right? 🙂

    Nah, it doesn’t matter.  Kärleksmums are simply delicious, with the right balance of sweet and chocolatey — making them excellent for both fika and after-meal treat!

    IF YOU WANT MORE AUTHENTIC SWEDISH DESSERTS OR FIKA RECIPES, THEN YOU WILL LOVE THESE POSTS!

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    Ingredients

    An image showing all the ingredients you need to prepare Kärleksmums.
    • Butter – I use unsalted, melted butter for this kärleksmums recipe.
    • Milk – full cream milk, if possible; and at room temperature
    • Flour – all-purpose flour is all you need
    • Baking powder – just use your favorite brand.
    • Cocoa powder – use a good brand for baking
    • Eggs – at room temperature and about 63 to 73 grams each.
    • Sugar – regular white sugar.
    • Desiccated coconut – unsweetened, dried coconut is what you need for kärleksmums.
    • Powdered sugar – you need this for the icing.
    A closer shot of Swedish Chocolate Coconut Cake, highlighting the texture of the cake.

    Preparation

    Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F) and lining your cake pan with a baking sheet, leaving the sides covered.

    Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the sifted flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder (photo 1).

    On a separate (and bigger) bowl, mix sugar with the eggs until it gets creamy, about three minutes in a high setting (photo 2).

    First part of a collage of images showing the step by step process of making Swedish Chocolate Coconut Cake at home.

    Add milk and melted butter and continue mixing to combine (photo 3).

    Add the dry ingredients and mix gently; just enough to combine (photo 4).

    Pour the kärleksmums batter into the lined cake pan (photo 5).

    Second part of a collage of images showing the step by step process of making Swedish Mocha Squares at home.

    Use an angled spatula to even the top of the cake (photo 6).

    Place the pan in the oven for fifty to fifty-five minutes, or until a toothpick comes out dry when inserted.

    Set aside to cool.

    Once the cake is ready, combine the icing ingredients in a small bowl: powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and water.

    Last part of collage of images showing the step by step process of making Kärleksmums.

    Spread the icing evenly on top of the cooled cake — do this quickly, so it does not dry up (photo 7).

    Add the dried coconut on top while the icing is still wet (photo 8).

    Set aside for about ten minutes for the icing to solidify.

    Cut kärleksmums into squares, then serve.

    An overhead shot of three squares of Kärleksmums, served with coffee.

    Helpful tips

    • Do not skip the sifting of the dry ingredients, especially the cocoa powder, because they tend to end up with lumps.
    • Check that the melted butter is no longer warm when adding it to the rest of the liquid ingredients.
    • Make sure that the baking paper covers the sides of the pan.  It makes it easier to lift the chocolate coconut cake for icing.
    • Spread the icing quickly, so it’s still wet when you add the dried coconut bits — they will not stick otherwise.
    A closer shot of Kärleksmums, with an espresso on the background.

    FAQs

    Can I store it at room temperature?

    Absolutely. I usually keep my kärleksmums for 2 to 3 days, tops.

    Make sure you wrap it properly so it does not dry up. 

    Lastly, don’t leave it in direct sunlight, and the icing will not be a problem. 

    Can I use a regular round cake pan?

    Yes, any 9-inch round cake pan will work.

    But if you want to keep it traditional, stick to a square or rectangular pan. 

    See how easy it is? Try kärleksmums this weekend and let me know what you think!

    Text for Roundup Sections
    • Latest (Oct22) feature image for traditional Swedish desserts and pastries.

    📖 Recipe

    An overhead shot of Kärleksmums sliced and ready for serving.

    Kärleksmums Recipe (Swedish Chocolate Coconut Cake)

    A classic Swedish treat, Kärleksmums (Swedish Chocolate and Coconut Cake), is great for snacks or dessert.  Chocolate cake topped with dried coconut — it is excellent with coffee, tea, or even wine!  So give it a try!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Swedish
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 229kcal
    Author: Neriz

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Pyrex Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Strainer for Sifting
    • 9-inch Rectangular Pan
    • Hand Mixer
    • Rubber Spatula
    • Angled Spatula

    Ingredients

    Cake batter:

    • 2 & 2/3 cups flour
    • 1/3 cup cocoa powder, heaping
    • 2 tsp baking powder
    • 4 medium eggs, room temperature
    • 1 & 1/4 cups sugar
    • 1/3 cup + 4 tbsp milk (100 ml), room temperature
    • 1 cup + 3 tbsp melted butter, (250 grams when solid)

    Icing & Topping:

    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 2 tsbp cocoa powder
    • 2 & 1/2 tbsp water
    • 1/3 cup desiccated coconut

    Instructions

    Preparing equipment:

    • Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F).
    • Line your cake pan with a baking sheet, leaving the sides covered and the sheet sticking out.

    Preparing kärleksmums batter:

    • Sift and mix the flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
    • Using a separate (and bigger) bowl, mix sugar with the eggs for about three minutes or until it gets creamy.
    • Add milk and melted butter and continue mixing to combine.
    • Add the dry ingredients and mix gently; just enough to combine.
    • Pour the chocolate cake batter into the lined cake pan.
    • Use an angled spatula to level the top of your kärleksmums.

    Baking & Serving Chocolate Coconut Cake:

    • Place the pan in the oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out dry when inserted.
    • Set aside to cool.
    • Once the cake has completely cooled, combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and water in a small bowl.
    • Spread the icing evenly on top of the cake — do this quickly, so it does not dry up. 
    • Add the dried coconut on top while the icing is still wet.
    • Set aside for about ten minutes for the icing to solidify.
    • Cut kärleksmums into squares, then serve.

    Notes

    • Cook’s Tip #1:  Do not skip the sifting of the dry ingredients, especially the cocoa powder, because they tend to end up with lumps.
    • Cook’s Tip #2:  Check that the melted butter is at room temperature when adding it to the rest of the liquid ingredients.
    • Cook’s Tip #3:  Make sure that the baking paper covers the sides of the pan.  It makes it easier to lift the chocolate coconut cake later on for icing.
    • Cook’s Tip #4:  Spread the icing quickly, so it’s still wet when you add the dried coconut bits — they will not stick otherwise.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @foodandjourneys or tag #foodandjourneys!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chang

      June 15, 2019 at 6:37 am

      5 stars
      I liked it in Sweden. Thank you for the video recipe.

      Reply
      • Neriz

        June 24, 2019 at 9:18 pm

        Thanks Chang! Yep, Sweden is lovely, even on the worst months of Oct/Nov. 🙂

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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