Incredible Coconut Cake

By june

Ingredients

• Frosting:
• 5 eggs, separated
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 2 1/4 cups cake flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups flaked coconut, chopped
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 (8oz) pkgs cream cheese softened
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 6 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1 3/4 tsp coconut extract
• 2 cups flaked coconut, toasted

Preparation

Step 1

Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In another large bowl, beat the sugar, butter and oil until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Stir in coconut.
Add cream of tartar to egg whites; beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into batter.
Transfer to three greased and floured 9-in round baking pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioner's sugar and extract; beat until smooth.
Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 3/4 cup frosting and sprinkle with 1/3 cup coconut. Repeat. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake; sprinkle with remaining coconut. Refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting. Store in refrigerator.