Coconut Cake

Ingredients

• 2.8 cups flour all-purpose
• 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup butter softened
• 2 cups sugar 
• 4  eggs whole
• 1.5 teaspoons vanilla 
• 1.5 teaspoons almond extract 
• 1 cup milk 
• 1.5 cups sugar 
• 0.5 cup water 
• 4  egg whites 
• 0.5 teaspoon cream of tartar 
• 0.1 teaspoon salt 
• 6 large marshmallows cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons sugar 
• 0.3 cup lite coconut milk reduced-fat (lite) (not cream of coconut)
• 2 cups coconut flakes flaked

Equipment

• bowl
• sauce pan
• oven
• hand mixer
• toothpicks
• microwave
• candy thermometer

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with shortening; lightly flour. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt; set aside.
2. In large bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat 2 minutes longer.
3. Add whole eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and almond extract. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture and milk, beating just until blended. Divide batter evenly among pans.
4. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely.
5. In heavy 2-quart saucepan, mix 1 1/2 cups sugar and the water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is clear. Cook, without stirring, to 240°F on candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat egg whites with electric mixer on low speed until foamy.
6. Add cream of tartar and 1/8 teaspoon salt; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high; pour hot syrup into egg white mixture.
7. Add marshmallows, a few pieces at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and frosting is thick enough to spread.
8. In small microwavable bowl, microwave 2 tablespoons sugar and the coconut milk on High 1 minute; stir until sugar dissolves.
9. Brush half of the coconut milk mixture over 1 cake layer to within 1/2 inch of edge. Frost with 1 cup of the frosting; sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the coconut. Top with second cake layer; brush with remaining coconut milk mixture. Frost with 1 cup frosting; sprinkle with 1/2 cup coconut. Top with remaining cake layer.
10. Spread remaining frosting on top and side of cake; sprinkle with remaining coconut.