COCONUT VANILLA CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/170C Fan/Gas 4. Grease two 20cm/8in sandwich tins and line the bases with buttered baking paper.
• Cream the butter and caster sugar together for 3–4 minutes, or until pale and light – this is easiest using a free-standing mixer but an electric hand-whisk works well too. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula from time to time.
• Gradually add the eggs, mixing well between each addition. Add the vanilla extract and lime zest and mix again. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl, add the desiccated coconut and coconut cream and beat again until the mixture is smooth and the ingredients are well combined.
• Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared tins and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cakes are well-risen, golden-brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
• Leave the cakes to cool in the tins for 5 minutes, then carefully turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 150C/140C Fan/Gas 2. Tip the coconut chips onto a baking tray and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until very lightly golden at the edges. Leave to cool.
• To make the coconut icing, beat the butter until really pale and light using a free-standing mixer or hand-held electric whisk. Gradually add the icing sugar, mixing well between each addition. Slowly add the coconut cream and mix again. Finally add the vanilla, lime zest and a pinch of salt and mix until well combined.
• Place one cake on a serving plate and spread the top with 4 tablespoons of the coconut icing. Top with the second cake. Cover the top and sides of the whole cake with the icing, spreading smoothly and evenly using a palette knife. Scatter the toasted coconut flakes over the top to serve.

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Drain pineapple, reserving 1 cup juice; set aside., Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating on high speed until thick and lemon-colored. Beat in butter, extracts and 1/2 cup reserved juice. Add dry ingredients; beat until well blended., Beat egg whites with clean beaters on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter., Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake 18-22 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add 1 cup confectioners' sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, beat cream cheese, pineapple and remaining confectioners' sugar until blended; stir in 2 cups coconut. Fold in whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour., Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; drizzle with 2 tablespoons reserved juice. Spread with 2 cups mousse. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake layer and drizzle with remaining juice. Spread remaining mousse over top and sides of cake. Press remaining coconut onto top and sides. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.