Lemon-Coconut Cake

By Shelly17

From Southern Living, December 2011

Ingredients

• Lemon Filling:
• 1 1 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 2 2 cups sugar
• 4 4 4 large eggs, separated
• 3 3 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1 1 cup milk
• 1 1 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 2 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
• Garnishes: fresh rosemary sprigs, gumdrops
• 1 1 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 1 1 cup boiling water
• 4 4 4 egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 2 2 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
• 1/3 1/3 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 2 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 2 2 to 3 whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened (about 2 to 3 minutes). Remove from heat. Whisk in butter; let cool completely, stirring occasionally.
• Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1 package 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 1 package 1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar
• 1 1 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended; stir in vanilla.

Details

Adapted from myrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.

2. Combine flour and baking powder; add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

3. Beat egg whites at high speed with electric mixer until stiff peaks form; fold one-third of egg whites into batter. Gently fold in remaining beaten egg whites just until blended. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.

4. Bake at 350° for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.

5. Spread Lemon Filling between layers. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle top and sides with coconut. Garnish, if desired.