2sticks226 grams unsalted buttersoftened, plus more for pans
2cups265 grams all-purpose flourplus more for pans
½tsp3 grams fine sea salt
2tsp10 grams baking powder
¾cup140 grams granulated sugar
3eggsseparated, plus 3 whites
1½cups355 milliliters sweetened cream of coconutsuch as Coco Lopez
1¼cups295 milliliters unsweetened coconut milk
2tbsp30 milliliters coconut or dark rum
7tbsp104 milliliters freshly squeezed orange juice
3cups370 grams unsweetened shredded coconut
For the Frosting
2sticks226 grams unsalted buttersoftened
2cups54 grams cream cheeseat room temperature
2tsp10 milliliters vanilla extract
7¼cups2 pounds/907 grams confectioners’ sugar
2¾cups340 grams unsweetened shredded or flaked coconuttoasted (I only needed about half this amount)
Instructions
Grease 3, 8-inch cake pans and dust with flour. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and reserve. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add 3 egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl with spatula. Lower speed and gradually add flour mixture. Batter will be thick and pasty.
Whisk together cream of coconut, coconut milk, rum and orange juice. Alternately add shredded coconut and the orange juice mixture to the batter.
In the clean bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip 6 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold into batter.
Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Cool in pans on wire rack. Unmold cakes once cool.
Make the Frosting
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla extract. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, scraping down sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Mix until combined and fluffy.
Spread ¼-inch-thick layer of frosting on top of the first layer of cake. Sprinkle with toasted coconut. Place next cake layer on top and repeat with frosting and coconut. Repeat with the third layer, spreading frosting on top and around sides of cake. Hold cake steadily in one hand and use other hand to pat remaining coconut onto edges of cake.
Notes
might try two layers next time. I have 9 in pans and they were a bit thin and cooked too fast and were well done by 45 min.