Coconut Cake

I made this cake for Easter. Instead of the coconut frosting as a filling, I used chocolate ganache between each layer. The chocolate flavor went really well with the coconut. I included directions for making ganache with the "Big Burger Cake" I posted previously.

Cake:
3 cups (12 ounces) cake flour
2/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) coconut milk powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (5 ounces) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups (10 ounces) sugar
6 large egg whites (about 1 1/4 cups)
1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) whole milk, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 drops coconut flavoring (or about 1 teaspoon coconut extract)

Coconut Frosting:
1 (14-ounce can) unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter
5 1/2 cups (22 ounces) confectioners' sugar, divdied
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla or 3 to 4 drops strong coconut flavoring (or 1 teaspoon coconut extract)

Garnish:
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded sweetened coconut

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Soak two cake strips, if you have them. Grease and flour (or line with parchment circles and spray with nonstick spray) two 8-inch round or square pans that are at least 2 inches deep.

Whisk together the cake flour, coconut milk powder, salt, and baking powder; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is extremely light and fluffy; scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl after two minutes of beating, and beat for at least 3 minutes more. Add 1/4 of the dry ingredients, mix until combined, and scrape the mixing bowl.

Combine the egg whites, milk, and flavorings; add 1/2 of the mixture to the ingredients in the bowl and mix until combined. Continue adding dry and wet ingredients by turns, until all are incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl one last time, and mix for another minute.

Divide the batter between the two pans, and wrap the outsides with the soaked cake strips. If you don't have cake strips, place the pans in larger pans and fill the water halfway up the sides of the layers. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the cake springs back when lightly touched in the center and the edges just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Remove from the oven and place on a rack; remove the cake strips. Let the layers cool for 10 to 20 minutes, then turn out of the pan and return to the rack to finish cooling completely before filling and frosting.

To make the frosting: Set a fine-mesh strainer or colander over a bowl and line it with a clean towel. Pour the coconut milk into the lined strainer and let the coconut water drain for up to 2 hours, until you have a thick lump of coconut cream. After the coconut milk has drained, cream the butter with 2 cups confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat in the salt and vanilla (or coconut extract) until the mixture is smooth. Add the coconut cream and mix, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl. Add the remaining confectioners' sugar until you have a smooth, spreadable frosting. Cover and hold at room temperature until ready to use.

To finish the cake: Split the cooled cake layers horizontally. Place half of one layer on a serving plate; spread with frosting (or chocolate ganache). Place the other half on top, spread with more frosting or ganache. Repeat until you've used all the layers. Frost outside of cake. Sprinkle coconut over cake to garnish as desired.