SOUTHERN COCONUT CAKE

CAKE BATTER

3 cups cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
6 egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup shortening
1 cup buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla extract (preferably clear)

FLUFFY COCONUT FROSTING

2 egg whites
2 tbs light corn syrup
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup water
2 tsp vanilla extract (preferably clear)
3 cups sweetened grated coconut, or as desired

preheat the oven to 350°. spray or grease & lightly flour three 8" round cake pans.

sift together the flour, baking powder, & salt. set aside.

in a lg bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until thickened. sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the sugar & the cream of tartar & continue beating until the egg whites hold stiff, glossy peaks. set aside.

in another lg bowl, using the mixer, cream the shortening & the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar until light, about 2 minutes. beat in the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk. beat in the vanilla. fold in the beaten egg whites.

pour the batter into the prepared pans. bake in the center of the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. cool for 5 minutes in the pans, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.

for the frosting: in a lg bowl, using the mixer, beat the egg whites until they hold stiff, glossy peaks. set aside.

combine the corn syrup, sugar, & water in a small saucepan. bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium & cook until the syrup reaches 238° on a candy thermometer, about 8 minutes. watch carefully toward the end of cooking time. when the syrup reaches 238°, pour it in a slow, steady stream into the beaten egg whites, beating constantly. beat until the frosting is cooled & fluffy, a few minutes. blend in vanilla.

set one cake layer on a plastic plate or cardboard round. spread the top with frosting. repeat with a second layer. set the third layer on top. spread the frosting generously over the top & sides of the cake. sprinkle the coconut over the frosting, gently patting it onto the sides of the cake so it adheres.

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