Carolyns Coconut Cake Food

COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans, then line them parchment paper. Grease them again and dust lightly with flour.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until light yellow and fluffy. Crack the eggs into a small bowl. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl once during mixing. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well. The mixture might look curdled; don't be concerned.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the batter in 3 parts, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in the 4 ounces of coconut with a rubber spatula.
• Pour the batter evenly into the 2 pans and smooth the top with a knife. Bake in the center of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until the tops are browned and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack for 30 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto a baking rack to finish cooling.
• For the frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and almond extract on low speed. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until just smooth (don't whip!).
• To assemble, place 1 layer on a flat serving plate, top side down, and spread with frosting. Place the second layer on top, top side up, and frost the top and sides. To decorate the cake, sprinkle the top with coconut and lightly press more coconut onto the sides. Serve at room temperature.

CAROLYN'S CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Grease and flour or coat a 10" tube pan with cooking spray, set aside.
• 2. Mix together sugar, eggs, butter and vanilla until mixed well. Combine flour and salt. Add to sugar/egg mixture and mix thoroughly by hand, DO NOT use a mixer at this point!
• 3. Using your hands, mix in candied fruits, nuts, coconut and orange juice. When mixed spread into tube pan. Bake 2 1/2 hours. At 2 hours, check with a tooth pick. Cake is done when tooth pick comes out clean. Cool completely before removing from pan.

CAROLYN'S COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Split cake layers. Sprinkle layers with coconut milk, if desired. Mix sugar, sour cream, and coconut (save 1/2 cup for topping). Chill. Keep 1 cup of this mixture for frosting. Spread remaining portion between layers. Combine Cool Whip with reserved 1 cup of frosting mixture. Pile frosting on top and sides of cake and sprinkle with reserved 1/2 cup coconut. Cover with cake saver and refrigerate 3 days.

CAROLYN'S COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• After cake has baked, poke holes in it and pour the coconut milk over top. Frost with Cool Whip that has shredded coconut stirred into it.