Coconut cake

Cake Ingredients:

2 cups cake flour, sifted
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
5 egg yolks
1 tsp coconut extract
1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup shredded coconut
6 egg whites, room temperature

Procedure:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
place sugar and butter in the mixer bowl.
 

set to speed 4 and beat until light and fluffy. beat in egg yolks, one at a time.



Beat in coconut extract and vanilla. reduce speed to stir and mix in flour mixture alternately with coconut milk, making 3 additions of dry and 2 of wet. mix in coconut. transfer to a medium bowl. clean the mixer bowl.


Place egg whites in the mixer bowl. attach the whip and set to speed 4 and beat until foamy. increase to speed 8 and beat until soft peaks form . remove bowl from mixer.
using a large spatula, gently fold egg whites into the batter, in 3 additions. do not completely incorporate the egg whites in the first 2 additions, let some streaks of white remain. with the third addition, fold until no streaks remain. clean the mixer bowl and whip.




Divide batter between prepared pans and smooth tops. bake in middle of preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 25 min. cool in pans on wire racks for 5 min. then invert onto racks, peel off paper and let cool completely.

Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup cream or evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups powdered sugar, divided
low fat milk if necessary

Place butter in mixer bowl, turn to speed 4 and beat about 1 minute, or until creamy. stop and scrape bowl. add cream, vanilla, salt, and 1 cup powdered sugar. turn to speed 2 and mix about 1 1/2 minutes, or until well blended. stop and scrape bowl.
Turn to stir speed, gradually add remaining 3 cups powdered sugar and mix until blended. stop and scrape bowl. add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, if necessary. turn to speed 4 and beat about 1 minute, or until smooth.