Lemon-Filled Coconut Cake Recipe

Lemon-Filled Coconut Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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“Around 1970, one of my co-workers brought this cake to a luncheon. It was so delicious that I asked for the recipe, and she shared. I have baked it ever since, and it's always a hit!” —Jackie Bergenheier, Wichita Falls, Texas

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Lemon-Filled Coconut Cake Recipe

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Yield: 16 Servings

35 25 60

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups 2% milk
FILLING:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup water
4 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
FROSTING:
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 egg whites
1/3 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flaked coconut

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
Transfer to three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For filling, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and water until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer or until thickened and bubbly. Remove from the heat.
Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat; gently stir in lemon juice and butter. Cool to room temperature without stirring.
Place one cake on serving plate; spread with half of the filling. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake.
For frosting, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, egg whites, water and cream of tartar. With a portable mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 10 minutes.
Transfer to a large bowl; add vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes. Frost top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with coconut. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 16 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 slice equals 564 calories, 22 g fat (15 g saturated fat), 127 mg cholesterol, 360 mg sodium, 88 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 6 g protein.

Originally published as Lemon-Filled Coconut Cake in Taste of Home December/January 2009, p22