RICH'S COCONUT CAKE

RICH'S COCONUT CAKE image

Got from a newspaper long ago. It is the best Coconut Cake I have ever eaten! Hope y'all enjoy.

Provided by Ann Simmons @AngelJasonsMom

Categories Cakes

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

FOR THE WHITE CAKE:
1 cup(s) vegetable shortening
2 cup(s) granulated sugar
3 cup(s) sifted cake flour
1 tablespoon(s) baking powder
3/4 cup(s) milk
1/2 teaspoon(s) lemon extract, optional
1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
6 - 6 egg whites, stiffly beaten
1 - *coconut, milk extracted and coconut meat grated (for frosting), optional
FOR THE LEMON CURD:
3/4 cup(s) fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon(s) corn starch
1 cup(s) (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 cup(s) granulated sugar
6 - egg yolks, lightly beaten
4 teaspoon(s) freshly grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
FOR THE FROSTING:
1 1/2 cup(s) granulated sugar
2 large egg whites
1 tablespoon(s) light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 cup(s) water
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla
1 1/2 cup(s) *shredded coconut ( can use sweetened shredded or flaked coconut rather than fresh)

Steps:

TO PREPARE THE CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans.
With an electric mixer, cream shortening. Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy. Sift together flour and baking powder and add to shortening mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Stir in lemon and vanilla extracts. Fold in beaten egg whites. Pour into prepared pans.
Bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn onto a rack and cool completely.
When layers have cooled, brush generously with coconut milk (if using fresh coconut).*Can use canned coconut milk.
TO PREPARE THE LEMON CURD:
In a small bowl, combine lemon juice and cornstarch and stir until smooth. In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter and stir in sugar. Whisking constantly, add egg yolks until combined. Add lemon juice mixture, lemon peel and salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. (If any bits of egg cook through, remove them or pass mixture through a sieve.) Remove from heat and cool completely.
TO PREPARE THE FROSTING:
In a double boiler or large bowl over simmering water, place sugar, egg whites, corn syrup, salt and water; beat and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until peaks form and hold. Remove from heat; add vanilla and beat for 1 minute.
TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE:
Place one layer on a plate. Top with half the lemon curd. Top with next layer and remaining curd. Top with next layer and frost top of layer and sides of cake. Press coconut into the frosting.