Kitchen

[catwoman48]

Okay, brain not working.  Who is ATK?  I have to know!  You couldn't post the recipe, or a link, could you?

[deepwaterdotter]

@catwoman48 America's Test Kitchen recipe for Coconut Layer Cake:

1 egg plus 5 egg whites

3/4 cup cream of coconut

1/4 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp coconut extract

2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour

1 cup sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

12 tbsp softened butter, cut into 12 pieces

2 cups shredded sweetened coconut

Frosting:

4 egg whites

1 cup sugar

1 pound softened butter, cut into 24 pieces

1/4 cup cream of coconut

1 tsp coconut extract

1 tsp vanilla

Beat egg and whites in larger measuring cup with fork.  Beat in cream of coconut, water, vanilla, and coconut extract. 

Mix flour, sugar, and baking powder with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds.  Beat in butter pieces on low speed, one at a time.  Butter bits should be the size of small peas (about 2 minutes).  Beat in 1 cup of liquid in measuring cup on medium-high speed until fluffy.  Beat in rest of liquid until batter is thick.

Divide batter between 2 shortening-greased and floured round cake pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes, then loosen sides with knife.  Invert onto rack, then re-invert.  Cool to room temperature.

Spread coconut on baking sheet and toast at 350 degrees until a mix of golden brown

and white, 15-20 minutes.  Stir 2 or 3 times while toasting.  Cool to room temperature.

Stir egg whites and sugar in stainless steel bowl.  Set bowl over saucepan of 1 1/2 " barely-simmering water.  Whisk until mixture registers 120 degrees on thermometer, about 2 minutes.  Beat with electric mixer on high speed until cooled to 80 degrees on thermometer, about 7 minutes.  Beat in butter a piece at a time on medium-high speed.  Beat in cream of coconut, coconut extract, and vanilla on medium-high speed until well-combined.

Cut cooled cakes in half horizontally into 4 layers with with long, serrated knife.  Place one layer on plate and spread with layer of icing.  Repeat with remaining layers.  Ice sides of cake, then sprinkle top with toasted coconut.  Press rest of coconut onto sides of cake.  Wrap leftover cake in plastic and refrigerate.