There are two kinds of people in this world: those who love coconut and those who can't stand it. I am a lover.

Recently, on a dark afternoon laden with thunderstorms, lightning and stalled traffic, I wheeled through the city and around the Beltway, searching for a winsome coconut cake.

I found one in Catonsville. It was so good, it made me forget the gloomy weather.

Best Bite

SugarBakers

Address: 752 Frederick Road, Catonsville

Phone: 410-788-9478

Hours: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday and Monday

Tall and gorgeous, moist and lovely, this $4 slice of cake was four layers high. The yellow cake was flavored with a coconut-rum wash. A creamy, toasted-coconut filling was sandwiched between the layers. The crowning touch was a German buttercream icing on the top of the cake, sprinkled with more toasted coconut. It was a coconut cake that was delectable without being overpoweringly sweet.

Best Bargain

Simon's Bakery

Address: 582 Cranbrook Road, Cockeysville

Phone: 410-667-9832

Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

A one-layer cake, 8 inches in diameter, cost a mere $5. The cake was a might dry, the coconut icing a tad sweet, but the serving was generous.

Also Tasted

Mama's One Stop Bakery

Address: 1065 S. Charles St., in Cross Street Market

Phone: 410-347-0792

Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday

This large slice of dense cake with a thick coating of coconut icing cost $2.25. The cake had good moisture, but the icing was much too sweet for me.

Know of a good carryout? Write to rob.kasper@baltsun.com.