~The Dinner Doctor
Cake:
3 large eggs, separated, plus 2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 package plain white cake mix
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Frosting:
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick butter, at room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon coconut flavoring or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease three 9-inch round cake pans and dust with flour.
Place the 5 egg whites and the cream of tartar in a mixing bowl. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. About 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
If you have buttermilk, great! If you’re like me and forget that you don’t have any until after you’ve already started baking (grrr), here are some simple ways to come up with some substitute buttermilk.
(1) 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
(2) 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar
Now, if you don’t have lemon juice or vinegar in your house (grrr) then here is one more way to substitute:
(3) 1 cup milk mixed with 1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Let sit for about five minutes.
Chop your pecans and set aside.
Place cake mix, 3 egg yolks, buttermilk, oil and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Beat on low speed for about 1 minute. Stop mixer and scrap down sides of bowl. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat for about 2 minutes.
Gently fold in beaten egg whites.
Pour in coconut.
And pecans. Gently fold both into cake batter just until combined.
Divide batter into three 9-inch pans.
Bake for about 22-27 minutes or until they spring back when lightly pressed with finger.
Let cool completely.
Place cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl. Beat on low speed until creamy. Add in powdered sugar and coconut flavoring and beat until sugar is incorporated.
Then it’s time to load that bad boy up with some frosting. ;D
Is anyone else salivating yet? Seriously.
Now, it’s time to stand back and admire this beauty.
Hey, look! There’s 17 candles on this cake. Is someone turning 17 today?
