SOUTHERN COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350.
• 2. Mix all of the cake ingredients together with a wire whisk until well blended. Don't use an electric mixer for this.
• 3. Mama says it makes a cake dry when you beat the batter up to long.
• 4. Butter and four 2-8 inch round cake pans. You can use 2-9 inch cake pans, but the cake won't be as high.
• 5. Divide cake batter between pans. Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes. Whisk the cakes cool and make the icing.
• 6. Place the sugar, water and corn syrup in a sauce pan on medium heat.
• 7. Using a candy thermometer cook to the soft ball stage or 240 degrees, stirring constantly.
• 8. The mixture should become almost clear. You can also do this in the microwave does make this step easier.
• 9. Cook on high for 4 minutes, remove and stir well and then cook for about 3 more minutes on high.
• 10. This could vary by a minute or 2 depending on the power of your microwave. It still needs to reach the soft ball stage.
• 11. With an electric mixer beat the egg whites with the baking powder until it reaches the soft peak stage.
• 12. Slowly pour in the syrup and keep mixing until the icing stands in peaks. This takes some time to accomplish so don't give up on it.
• 13. Just keep beating it and eventually the peaks will form.
• 14. Place one of the cake layers on a pretty cake plate.
• 15. Frost the top of the first layer and sprinkle with 1/2 cup coconut.
• 16. Place the other layer on top of the first and frost the entire cake.
• 17. Sprinkle the rest of the coconut over the top and sides of the cake.