ALMOND COCONUT 3-LAYER CAKE WITH COCONUT FROSTING

Steps:

• Set oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour three (8-inch) cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry; set aside.
• In another bowl, cream butter, Crisco and sugar until fluffy (about 4-5 minutes).
• Add in yolks (one at a time) beating well after each addition.
• In a bowl, sift flour and baking soda together.
• Add to the egg yolk mixture alternating with buttermilk.
• Add in coconut and nuts; beat well.
• Fold in beaten egg whites with a spatula.
• Divide the batter evenly between the three cake pans.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until cake tests done.
• Place the pans on a wire rack to cool.
• Run a dinner knife around the edges of each layer, and invert each onto a rack, then invert them again onto another rack so layers are right side up.
• Allow to cool completely before frosting.
• For frosting: Cream together the cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
• Gradually beat in the powdered sugar (this takes about 5 minutes).
• To achieve the spreading consistency you desire, you may need to add 2-3 tablespoons of half and half cream and 1-1/2 cups of ADDITIONAL powdered sugar.
• Stir in 3/4 cup coconut and 3/4 cups pecans.
• Frost and fill cake.
• Sprinkle the top with reserved coconut.